October 15, 2013
Rural firefighters from across south-east Queensland are planning to meet with Premier Campbell Newman on October 26 to protest delays in the full implementation of the Malone Review into the Rural Fire Service.
A statement by the Rural Fire Brigades Association of Qld released today has invited rural brigades to join the meeting to voice their concerns.
“The plan is to meet with the Premier at his electoral office in Ashgrove and outline the continuing concerns of volunteers at the ongoing erosion of the value placed upon their efforts by successive Queensland governments,” the statement said.
“This is well demonstrated by the continuing caution of the current LNP Government to act upon and direct the full implementation of all the 91 recommendations from the Malone Review.
“At this stage, all volunteers seek is a fair go and to have an independent and properly funded Rural Fire Service Queensland established.
“These are not big things to ask for, but they seem to be too hard for any government to acknowledge and implement.”
The association says brigades and volunteers will travel in convoy past the Premier’s Electoral Office “as a practical demonstration of the depth of their feeling of frustration at not seeing any concrete commitments from the current LNP Government to implement all of the Malone Review recommendations”.
“A small deputation will also seek to meet with the Premier and volunteers are welcome to stay on outside the Premier’s Office as a sign of continued support.”
