Palaszczuk Government provides record backing for emergency volunteers

The Palaszczuk Government has made record investment in our State emergency services volunteers by providing the resources and equipment they need to keep Queenslanders safe.

Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan said our values as a Government are clearly demonstrated in the 2017-18 Budget.

“This year’s Budget prioritises emergency services and the safety of all Queenslanders and is in stark contrast to the LNP that cut key programs that assisted our hard-working volunteers,” Minister Ryan said.

“For our dedicated Rural Fire Service members our Budget is delivering an additional $30.1 million to replace and renew their fleet of fire fighting vehicles.

“The Accelerated Rural Fire Fleet Program will see the replacement of 60 Rural Fire Service vehicles across Queensland during 2017-18 and more vehicles the following financial year.”

The Budget also includes funding to assist State Emergency Services (SES) Groups with their invaluable services such as storm damage, land search, and specialist rescue, including $712,000 in grants to help with the cost of acquisition and maintenance of facilities, vehicles and flood boats.

Another $1.95 million is for subsidies to local governments, to support the operation of their SES Groups.

The Palaszczuk Government also provided Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) with a $17 million funding package over three years following the renewal of a Service Agreement between Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) and SLSQ. Minister Ryan said SLSQ is one of the largest volunteer-based community organisations in Australia, with more than 30,000 members in 58 clubs and six branches in Queensland alone.

“The renewed Service Agreement is an important step in securing essential services to ensure the safety of our beautiful beachside communities for residents and holidaymakers alike, as well as safeguarding the organisation’s sustainability into the future,” Minister Ryan said.

In addition the Palaszczuk Government supports approximately 34,500 marine rescue volunteers through Service Agreements, across several volunteer organisations including SLSQ, the Royal Life Saving Society Queensland; Volunteer Marine Rescue Association Queensland; and the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association.

That’s the difference between the Palaszczuk Government commitment to investing in record budgets for our hard-working volunteers and the LNP’s mantra of cut, sack, sell.

As well as investing in our emergency services volunteers the Palaszczuk Government has also funded community education programs that were cut under the former LNP Government.

These essential education programs assist volunteers in keeping Queenslanders safe.

If It’s Flooded Forget It, a lifesaving road safety campaign to educate Queenslanders of the dangers of entering floodwaters, has been allocated $1 million.

This is the lifesaving campaign that was cut by the former LNP government in 2013-14.

Our Budget is also investing $250,000 for the Road Attitudes and Action Planning campaign to deliver road safety education to young drivers by trained operational firefighters.

Another campaign cut by the LNP.

The Fight Fire Fascination program, a program supported with $292,000 in this Budget, teaches children and young people, who have been involved in at least one concerning incident, to respect fire and develop fire safety skills.

Another program slashed by the cut, sack, sell LNP.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Minister Ryan’s office                     07 3035 8300