Ambulance vehicles increase

State Opposition claims that the number of Queensland Ambulance Service vehicles has decreased are complete nonsense, Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said.

As at 30 June 2007, the QAS had 955 vehicles – made up of 729 emergency response stretcher ambulances, 112 non-urgent patient transporters and 114 emergency response sedans and wagons.

Mr Roberts said the QAS fleet of vehicles would continue to increase this financial year with 140 new vehicles to be purchased.

“While almost 90% of these vehicles will replace existing ambulance vehicles, the fleet will continue to grow,” Mr Roberts said.

“QAS vehicles travelled more than 25 million kilometres last financial year. The Service has a comprehensive servicing program for its vehicles.”

“The 140 new vehicles are being purchased as part of a $15.7 million allocation in the QAS’s record budget for the QAS this financial year.”

Mr Roberts said the QAS fleet had grown significantly since the introduction of the Community Ambulance Cover (CAC) levy in 2003.

“As I reported to the Budget estimates hearing in July, the Queensland Ambulance Service’s operational fleet increased by 14% between 2003-04 and 2006-07,” Mr Roberts said.

“The State Opposition’s claims about QAS vehicle numbers are false. They attended Budget estimates, but they were obviously not listening.”

Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3247 8194 or 0418 197 350