ACT emergency services get millions in budget but union not happy
The territory’s police force and emergency services will get an $18 million budget boost.
Police and Emergency Services Minister Mick Gentleman said the cash would help to pay for six new police officers as well as the training of 18 new fire fighters.
However, United Firefighters Union ACT secretary Greg McConville said the funding was disappointing and well short of what was needed.
The announcement, ahead of the ACT budget next week, follows concerns about the lack of capacity and staff within the territory’s police force and Emergency Services Agency.
“I’m very pleased to be here today to announce a strong investment in ACT Policing and emergency services in this year’s budget, ensuring we can provide safety for Canberrans as the city grows,” Mr Gentleman said.
“We have six police officers and 18 new fire fighters in this budget, as well as the 23 paramedics we announced [last year].”
Government figures showed $2.5 million had been set aside to fund four additional ACT Policing staff, while a further $1.5 million was specifically budgeted for two additional staff in the organised crime department.
The recruitment and training of 18 fire fighters through a 19-week course would cost $300,000.
The biggest chunk of spending was $5.6 million to buy smartphones for every member of the ACT Policing force.
“This is a strategic investment in policing,” Mr Gentleman said.
“There are four officers to help with tactical capability and two research officers to assist ACT Policing at the bottom end.”
The funding was targeted at meeting police priorities around early crime prevention and crime disruption, Mr Gentleman said.
Other items in the pre-budget announcement included $2.4 million to put new defibrillators in ambulances and fire trucks, and $2.3 million for a new aerial pumper truck.
But Mr McConville from the union said the government’s plans were “simply not good enough”.
“For two years now, we’ve made clear arguments to the government demonstrating how ACT Fire and Rescue was around 40 fire fighters short of their funded establishment. Today that number is 43.
“That’s why today’s announcement that the ACT government will deliver just 18 replacement fire fighters is so disappointing.”
The United Firefighters Union also criticised the lack of detail concerning funding for the new aerial pumper.
“In 2016 the ACT on Fire campaign identified the urgent need for an additional firefighting appliance to fight fires in tall buildings, given that the existing ‘Bronto’ was ageing and often off the road for repairs,” Mr McConville said.
“Now, it’s May 2018 and we have nothing to show for it except a government announcement that they’ll now fund that appliance which they promised back in 2016.
“Unfortunately, there is no detail on where that new aerial appliance will be housed, nor, given our existing firefighter shortage, where they will find the available crew to operate it.”