Media release – United Firefighters Union, 19 July 2023
Minister’s Spin on Fire Service Act Review Hosed by Firefighters
On the evening of Tuesday 18 July 2023, the Minister hosted a live Q&A about the Fire Service Act Review on his Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/felixellistas/videos/823084996197895
The following quotes are from Facebook comments:
Raz Stow – Volunteer Firefighter
“Under your current proposed model, as advised to all 4 key representative bodies, the TFES commissioner will still report through the SecDPFEM to the Minister of the day.”
Mark Dobson – Firefighter, UFU Member
“Felix you need to stop making misleading comments”
Todd Bennetto – Volunteer Firefighter
“Since the police moved their mechanical division to the TFS complex fire appliance servicing has gone downhill to the point its harder to get problems fixed and appliances go 3 years without a full service.”
Nick Dahl – Volunteer Firefighter
“I’m sorry Minister, but if the Commissioner of Police is also the Department Secretary, they are not equal with the Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner”
Mark O’Donnell – Firefighter, UFU Member
“I’m sorry Felix but I would think the police would not accept reporting to a fire Commissioner … the police hierarchy would never accept this but we as fire are expected to”
Nathan Sherriff – SES Volunteer
“Can you advise where the funding is to replace SES vehicles that are over 30 years old that was promised last year by this government?”
Brodie Emmerton – SES Volunteer
“When do we expect to get stability in staffing and training with SES?”
Ben Sculthorpe – Volunteer Firefighter
“The last CO was brilliant why had he gone”
Angus Martin – Volunteer Firefighter
“You say we all need a voice, yet you don’t listen to what people say”
Tristram Parry – Volunteer Firefighter
“Why are fire volunteers not trained to a national standard”
The following quotes are attributable to Stephen McCallum, Industrial Organiser, United Firefighters Union of Australia, Tasmania
“Firefighters resoundingly rejected much of what the Minister said, with commenters pointing out ‘misleading statements’.
“The Minister failed to commit to having an independent Secretary who is not also the Commissioner of Police.
“The Minister failed to answer questions about the proposed budget for TFES, which would include TFS and SES.
“The Minister was not able to provide a direct response to issues regarding 30 year old emergency vehicles, why emergency vehicles are going 3 years without being serviced, and chronic staffing issues and shortages.
“Concerningly, the Minster said that fire service levy funding would not be ringfenced for use by TFS and SES, admitting that it could be spent on anything the Commissioner chooses to spend it on.
“With the Minister able to provide directions to the Commissioner, this opens up fire service levy funds for use on things that the government currently fund. This will result in cost shifting from government to TFES, which will undercut the resources available for emergency response.
“The Minister has effectively admitted that his reforms would unlock the cookie jar. The whole point of having a fire service levy is to keep politicians out of the cookie jar, so they can’t redirect resources away from the fire service.
“The Minister is not listening to firefighters, or SES volunteers. We need reform, but it needs to be done right if these changes are going to improve the ability of our members to protect local Tasmanian communities.
“TFS and SES personnel will be rallying on Friday 21 July at 1400 in Ulverstone, Launceston and Hobart.”
