Vic Election Pledge to Volunteer Fire Fighters
The Victorian Opposition pledges $136 million to support volunteer firefighters as the 2010 state election campaign warms up.
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Vic Election Pledge to Volunteer Fire Fighters
28 October 2010 at 2:03 pm
28 October 2010 at 2:03 pm
The Opposition Liberal/National Coalition in Victoria has pledged a $136 million funding package to support the State's CFA volunteer fire fighters in the lead up to the November 27 Poll.
Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu says part of the package will deliver unprecedented legislation to enshrine the terms of the CFA Volunteer Charter and protect the rights of volunteers.
The package also includes $36 million to upgrade and build CFA and SES stations and $25 million to enhance the CFA vehicle fleet.
Baillieu says the package will enhance the capacity of CFA volunteers to protect Victorians from bushfires by providing unprecedented funding for infrastructure and equipment and a guarantee that they will be consulted on all decisions that affect them.
Baillieu says the rights of Victoria’s dedicated CFA volunteers have been eroded over the past 11 years under Labor Premiers Steve Bracks and John Brumby who had failed to deliver on their promises to volunteers.
He says the Labor Government has consistently undermined the interests of Victoria’s hard-working CFA volunteers and endorsed union interference in the day-to-day operations of volunteer brigades across the state.
The Opposition Leader says a coalition government will legislate the terms of the Volunteer Charter and guarantee better work conditions for the state’s 59,000 volunteers and to ensure they are fully consulted on issues that affect them, such as recruitment, training and support programs.
The Coalition’s CFA volunteer package also includes:
- Once-off funding of $250,000 to eliminate the need for CFA volunteer brigades to contribute to the CFA Volunteer Welfare Fund
- $20 million to extend the Community Safety Emergency Support Fund and the Valuing Volunteers Program for a further four years
- Provide identification cards for all CFA volunteers
- $18 million for pagers, regional training facilities and volunteer support initiatives
