The Allan Labor Government’s record of secrecy and spin rolls on.
Today, the government announced a “$100 million” commitment to replace ageing CFA tankers and pumpers, but conveniently left out that it will be distributed over 10 years.
“This is a joke. This funding spread over 10 years doesn’t come anywhere near what is required to adequately replace the CFA’s ageing fleet,” Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Danny O’Brien said.
“There are at least 630 old single cab tankers in the fleet, and more than 10 per cent of tankers are more than 30 years old – this funding will not even begin to modernise the fleet.
“It’s also a fraction of the $3 billion extra the government is collecting from Victorians in emergency services tax. Where is the rest of the money going?”
New tankers cost $465,000 and pumpers $1 million, meaning the extra funding will only allow the CFA to replace about 21 tankers and five pumpers each year.
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria estimates the CFA needs to replace 100 appliances each year at a cost of $60 million just to stop the age of the fleet going backwards.
“Labor cut the CFA budget for four consecutive years, and this government continues to rip off the CFA and put volunteers’ safety at risk,” Mr O’Brien said.
“This petty cash announcement will leave volunteers still sitting on the back of single-cab tankers, exposed to heat, smoke and dust for many bushfire seasons to come.
“Only a Nationals and Liberals Government will scrap Labor’s emergency services tax, properly fund the CFA, and respect our volunteers.”
