Additional $1.5 million funding for the fire service

The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to a strong and well-resourced Tasmania Fire Service that helps protect lives and property.

After a constructive meeting with the Tasmanian Branch of the United Firefighters Union Australia on Monday, I wrote to the union yesterday to reassure members that the Government has listened and taken note of their concerns.

The Government has also agreed to invest an additional $1.5 million in the fire service this year to help keep our communities safe.

It is important to note that no frontline firefighters have been cut since we came into office in March last year, and, in fact, TFS numbers have increased and will increase further with nine new recruits to commence in coming weeks.

Further, the Government is investing more than $1 million in world-class firefighting personal protective clothing (PPC) for firefighters across Tasmania.

We also committed $15.3 million in the State Budget to the Emergency Services Computer Aided Dispatch (ESCAD) project, which will improve the safety of all emergency workers, including firefighters.

In line with our election commitment we are also investing an historic $28.5 million over four years in the most comprehensive fuel reduction program ever undertaken in Tasmania to reduce the risk bushfires pose to people (including firefighters) on public and private land.

I welcome the fact that the union has publicly agreed they support our Plan to better align the services between fire and SES, and I look forward to working constructively with them as we develop a long-term, sustainable funding model into the future.

Media please note: For a copy of Minister Hidding’s correspondence to the United Firefighters Union, please contact Anthony Haneveer as below.
Rene Hidding, Minister for Police and Emergency Management