Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said today he held grave fears that the National Party’s three per cent “efficiency dividend” would result in cuts to vital emergency services.
“This is a front-line service delivery agency providing vital ambulance, fire and rescue and disaster management services. Close to 400 emergency services workers could be slashed every year under the National Party’s cuts,” he said.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said today he held grave fears that the National Party’s three per cent “efficiency dividend” would result in cuts to vital emergency services.
“This is a front-line service delivery agency providing vital ambulance, fire and rescue and disaster management services. Close to 400 emergency services workers could be slashed every year under the National Party’s cuts,” he said.
Mr Roberts said the National Party would rip away $29.2 million every year from the Department of Emergency Services.
“This is not about redirecting or reinvesting funds and this money is not lying around. It would mean jobs cuts and a reduction in services,“ he said.
The Queensland Government has already conducted efficiency reviews into the Queensland Ambulance Service ( QAS ) and Queensland Fire and Rescue Service ( QFRS ) to redirect resources from non-essential spending to boost front-line service delivery.
The QAS audit, redirected $12.2 million from corporate overheads and ancillary services to boost front-line ambulance service delivery.
These savings, have funded more that 100 of the 250 additional ambulance officers this financial year, on top of the 255 additional ambulance officers last financial year.
The QFRS review also resulted in $5.5 million in savings to boost firefighter positions by up to 45.
Mr Roberts said the union representing ambulance officers were rightly concerned about the National Party’s cuts.
“It is deceptive of the National Party to say that cuts of this magnitude would only be made to non-frontline staff.
“There can be no question that paramedics will suffer as a result of these risky cuts and the quality of patient treatment will be compromised," he said.
Mr Roberts reaffirmed that Queenslanders should not be hoodwinked by the National Party’s risky plans.
Media Contact : 3247 8997
Related Content
Release Date
This story was released on 2009-03-09. Please make sure to visit the official company or organization web site to learn more about the original release date. See our disclaimer for additional information.