Have been, and will be, no changes to RFS
10th September 2009Ministerial media release
NSW Minister for Emergency Services, Steve Whan MP, has today reinforced the NSW Government's commitment to maintaining the independence of the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), and has successfully moved a motion in Parliament to thank RFS volunteers and express support for their efforts.
Speaking in Parliament today, Minister Whan said, "There have been, and will be, no changes to the legal or financial status of the Rural Fire Service as a result of the Government's public sector reforms.
"Under the Rural Fires Act, the Rural Fire Service Commissioner is in charge of the operations of the Service and that will not change.
"The RFS Commissioner remains independent with a direct report line to me - the Minister for Emergency Services.
"The RFS budget will remain a separate line in the budget, made up from contributions by the State Government, Local Government and insurance industry."
Minister Whan said the Opposition should come clean on where it stands on the system of funding the Rural Fire Service.
"This Government has allocated a record amount of more than $1.8 billion to the RFS in the last 15 years. If the Liberal National Party had their way this funding model would be under threat.
"The Shadow Minister for Small Business told his local media he did not support insurance industry contributions to the RFS.
"It looks like the Liberal Nationals would rather cut funding to the RFS and pander to the interests of the insurance industry.
Minister Whan also condemned the Opposition for their offensive comments on RFS Volunteers.
"Recent claims by the Shadow Minister for Emergency Services have been insulting to thousands of RFS volunteers.
"The mere assertion that volunteers involved in communications, catering, aerial support and equipment shouldn't be counted as volunteers is preposterous.
"These are the true colours of the Opposition, slanderous remarks which attack the outstanding work of the volunteers of the Rural Fire Service. Attacks on the funding system which has been able to deliver so much for the Rural Fire Service. Not one word of thanks for the volunteers' valuable efforts," Mr Whan said.
A board of management will be looking at where efficiencies and corporate services can be found, which will only proceed when there is agreement with the Commissioner of the RFS if they are to be affected.
Corporate overheads include things like Legal services, strategic procurement, Human Resources, IT, Payroll - the kinds of back office functions that keep a business functioning so the services can be delivered by frontline officers.
"The Government believes that, where appropriate, consolidating these functions on the same platforms we will get some efficiencies in purchasing and maintenance.
"No one I have spoken to in either the RFS or the RFSA has any problem with saving money in things like software purchases to ensure there is more money for fire fighting equipment," Mr Whan said.
Have been, and will be, no changes to RFS (PDF 29KB)