Key Points
A Rebecca White Labor Government will deliver for our Fire and Emergency Services and always stand with them.
We will strengthen the Fire Response in areas of greatest need, support an independent Fire and Emergency Services and stand firm against a new fire tax.
As part of our Plan, Labor will:
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Not adopt the Liberals’ fire tax.
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Make Tasmanian Fire and Emergency Services a statutory authority within its own department
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Strengthen the fire response with 32 new firefighters where they’re needed most
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Commit to a new Fire & Emergency Services station in the northwest
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Upgrade volunteer fire stations
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Remove step-down provisions and introduce civil remedies for workers
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Investigate a new statewide training facility for Fire & Emergency Services preparedness.
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Repair the SES vehicle fleet.
Why we need it
After a decade in government, the Liberals can’t be trusted on fire and emergency
services. At a time of skyrocketing cost of living, they campaigned for months to slug Tasmanians $10 million from a fire tax on Tasmanians to fund the fire service despite criticism from councils, business, agriculture and industry groups. They’ve now dropped it on the eve of the election, but can’t be trusted not to bring it back after.
“Labor will deliver for our Fire and Emergency Services and always stand with them”
Additionally, the Liberal Government has tried to push through changes to the Tasmanian Fire & Emergency Services structure to make it subordinate to Police. They’ve ignored Fire and SES experts who have said that we need an independent statutory authority and forced one of the most respected fire chiefs out the door.
The details
Under our Plan for Fire and Emergency
Services, a Rebecca White Labor Government
will:
- Not adopt the Liberals’ fire tax. Labor has always stood firm against this new tax for Tasmanians, unlike the Liberals who have flip-flopped and can’t be trusted.
- Make Tasmanian Fire and Emergency Services a statutory authority within a standalone Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
- Strengthen the Fire Response in areas of greatest need, including in the northwest, with 20 additional career firefighters in the northwest and 12 additional firefighters to be allocated to districts to support volunteers. The northwest is an area with high need to protect economically valuable assets.
- Commit to a new Fire & Emergency Services station in the northwest, including space for Ambulance Tasmania, offices and a new training facility. This facility will enhance community preparedness and resilience, and replace the current Three Mile Line Road station.
- Use the proceeds of the Three Mile Line station sale to fund upgrades to volunteer fire stations. We will also conduct a review of infrastructure and procurement for volunteer stations.
- Amend the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act to remove step-down provisions for emergency service workers (including firefighters and paramedics) in line with the provisions for Police.
- Introduce a civil remedy provision into the Work Health and Safety Act for emergency services workers.
- Conduct a feasibility study for a new statewide Fire & Emergency Services training facility, which could support Police, Fire, State Emergency Service and other preparedness training.
- Support and continue the rollout of separation of protective clothing (PCC) in stations.
- Provide $3 million in funding to repair the State Emergency Service’s fleet vehicles to ensure they meet national standards and are fit for purpose.