Tasmanian Labor today successfully moved for a Parliamentary inquiry into the impact on the Tasmanian Fire Service of successive Liberal Government budget cuts.
“The inquiry will examine the impact of budget cuts to the TFS and its absorption of the State Emergency Service,” Mr Green said.
“The TFS budget is already stretched to the limit and there are now serious concerns about its ability to deliver core fire fighting services.
“It is simply not good enough that there is still no sustainable funding model for the SES, which was previously funded from consolidated revenue through Tasmania Police
“The Liberal Government has the money to properly fund both the TFS and the SES and that’s what it must do.
“The inquiry will also examine funding of the Fuel Reduction Burn Program, community safety programs and fire service resources including fire fighter numbers.”
“Concerns remain that the State Fire Levy will be increased to offset the TFS’s budget shortfall.
“Raising the fire levy is the only option the TFS has to increase its revenue.
“The levy is paid directly by ratepayers and collected by local councils and should be used explicitly for fire fighting services.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader
