Official figures have further confirmed that the Tasmania Fire Service is at breaking point, and the Government still hasn't detailed how they will fix it or explained how Tasmanians in a cost of living crisis won't be unfairly impacted.
The Australian Government Productivity Commission's latest Report on Government Services shows that the time it took to respond to structure fires in Tasmania for 2021-22 was the second highest in the nation at 19.6 minutes (national average is 15.26), up from 16.8 minutes the previous year.
Tasmanian firefighters continue to face a number of resourcing challenges which are placing their lives, and those they work to protect, at risk.
Firefighters are being forced to work in unsafe conditions, and their equipment isn't fit for purpose.
The attrition rate for career firefighters has increased and the Government has shown no appetite to increase intakes.
The Productivity Commission Report also shows that Tasmania has the highest percentage of user charges for fire service revenue in the nation.
11.8 per cent of funds for fire services in Tasmania are collected through user charges, compared to the national average of just 3.7 per cent.
The Government has said they will increase the fire levy, but still hasn't released the details or explained how Tasmanians in a cost of living crisis won't be unfairly impacted.
Labor will properly fund our fire and other emergency services as a priority, rather than forking out $460 million of taxpayers funds for a stadium we don't need.
Michelle O'Byrne MP
Shadow Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management
