Danny O’Brien MP & Annabelle Cleeland MP – 335 new fire trucks to back our CFA heroes

A Jess Wilson Liberal and Nationals Government will deliver 335 new CFA fire trucks
over five years, 17 new and upgraded fire stations and a major recruitment drive to
help keep Victorian families safe.
It’s all part of our plan to deliver for Victorians by making our communities safer,
backing our volunteers and making sure the people who protect us have the
equipment they need.
After 12 years of Labor, too many CFA volunteers are being left to protect their
communities with ageing trucks, outdated facilities and fewer volunteers to share
the load.
Our CFA volunteers put their lives on the line to protect our homes, families and
communities. The least they deserve is the equipment and support to do their job
safely.
The need for action is clear:
• 57 per cent of CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria trucks are at least 15 years old,
according to the Victorian Auditor-General.
• CFA operational volunteer numbers have fallen by 26 per cent over the past
decade.
• Around 802 CFA tankers are still single-cab, forcing volunteers to sit outside
exposed to heat, smoke and dust.
The Liberal and Nationals’ $200 million plan, independently costed by the
Parliamentary Budget Office, will:
• Deliver 335 new CFA trucks over five years, ultimately reaching 100 trucks per
year to retire single cab trucks within 10 years.
• Deliver 17 new and upgraded CFA stations, giving volunteers better facilities.
• Establish a ministerial consultative group to assist with investment priorities
and work collaboratively to target the recruitment of 10,000 volunteers over a
decade.
• Create an Emergency Services Volunteer Ombudsman to advocate for
volunteers and help mediate disputes.
The new truck program will begin on 1 July 2027.
A Wilson Liberal and Nationals Government will also scrap Labor’s emergency
services tax and restore the former Fire Services Property Levy model, delivering
relief from Labor’s tax grab and backing the volunteers who protect our
communities.
Leader of the Opposition Jess Wilson said CFA volunteers deserved better than
ageing trucks and more taxes after 12 years of Labor.
“When a bushfire threatens your home, it’s our CFA volunteers who answer the call,”
Ms Wilson said.
“They put their lives on the line to keep our families safe. They shouldn’t have to put
up with ageing trucks and equipment that isn’t up to the job.
“More than half of Victoria’s fire trucks are at least 15 years old, volunteer numbers
are falling and hundreds of firefighters are still exposed on the back of tankers.
That’s not good enough. Our volunteers deserve better, and Victorian families
deserve to know help will be there when they need it.
“We will deliver 335 new CFA trucks, better fire stations and more support to recruit
volunteers.
“We will also scrap Labor’s emergency services tax because the people who
volunteer to protect our homes shouldn’t be punished with bigger bills.”
Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Danny O’Brien
said the plan would give the CFA certainty.
“Brigades have told us they need modern trucks, better stations and more
volunteers coming through the door, and we have a plan to deliver it.
“Our five-year fleet program gives the CFA a pipeline of trucks it can plan around
and manufacturers the certainty to plan, hire and build.
“Labor is offering an election announcement. We are offering a plan, backed by
upgraded stations and a recruitment drive to support the volunteers who keep their
communities safe.”
The Nationals Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, said regional CFA volunteers
deserved confidence that they would have the equipment they need.
“Our region has lived through some incredibly difficult fire seasons, and our CFA
volunteers have been there every step of the way.
“I’ve been listening to our brigades and fighting for better trucks and better facilities.
“This plan shows our volunteers have been heard and gives them the confidence
that they will have the equipment they need to keep our communities safe when
emergencies strike.”