The Gutwein Government has axed important fire safety training for non-government organisations across the state in a significant blow to employers providing safe workplaces.
Shadow Police, Fire and Emergency Management Minister Jen Butler said TasFire Training for organisations like aged care homes and independent schools would be axed from next April, reducing their ability to keep staff, residents, students and visitors safe.
Ms Butler said the responsible Minister Mark Shelton had today been unable to provide an adequate reason for the removal of the training beyond the Tasmania Fire Service moving to a new business model.
"It's extremely disappointing that this training which equips fire wardens at places like aged care homes will be removed," Ms Butler said.
"This is a highly valued service for employers across the state because it provides high-level training for fire wardens, ensuring safety for employees and visitors.
"It gives them the know-how to make people safe, to stage evacuations and equips them with knowledge about such important things as the locations of fire panels at these facilities.
"That in turn is invaluable to the Tasmanian Fire Service in attending incidents.
"It's beyond comprehension that Minister Shelton is now removing the ability for the non-government sector to have their fire wardens trained by the state fire service.
"He is now telling them that they will have to find a third party training provider but he has been unable to say if there are enough providers locally and in all likelihood this business will now have to go interstate.
"Minister Shelton has washed his hands of appropriate fire safety compliance."
Jen Butler MP
Shadow Police, Fire and Emergency Management Minister
