AS total fire bans loom across Victoria this week, we are reminded of the inherent risk we face here in south-east Australia.
Victoria is one of the most bushfire-prone areas in the world, and we are fortunate to be home to the Country Fire Authority (CFA) — an organisation built on community spirit and volunteer commitment.
These brave men and women give their time freely to serve, protect and assist fellow Victorians, particularly in regional areas. Their dedication is nothing short of extraordinary.
Sadly, the Victorian Labor government does not show the same respect. The introduction of the emergency services tax has decimated morale within the CFA. The good name of volunteers is being used by Labor to justify a tax grab on all Victorians – all while those volunteers are battling fires with trucks up to 35 years old, fire stations that are no longer suitable for modern firefighting, and equipment that regularly fails them.
Over the past decade, Victoria has lost around 9000 operational CFA volunteers — a worrying trend that reflects declining confidence in government support.
The Nationals respect and value the CFA and our volunteers. We will scrap the heartless emergency services tax and deliver the long-term funding needed to equip our volunteers properly so they can continue to keep us all safe.
Danny O’Brien
Leader of The Nationals, Victoria
Shadow Minister for Emergency Services
