|
|
Murray
Cowper MLA Shadow Minister for
Industrial Relations; Emergency Services |
3 October 2007
Murray Emergency Services denied funding
Vital emergency services in the Murray area have been
denied funding for much-needed facility works, according to figures uncovered
by Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Murray Cowper MLA.
He said that the current State government is failing to
provide WA’s frontline emergency services personnel with their basic
requirements, with 62 requests throughout the state being ignored.
Some of the ignored requests throughout the state included
ablution blocks, female change rooms and water tanks.
In the Murray region, the SES have been denied a request to
have their own building in Pinjarra, whilst the Dwellingup Bush fire brigade,
one of the most notorious fire danger zones in the state, have been unable to
secure funding to update their Communications room. The Mandurah bush fire
brigade has also had requests to upgrade their premises refused. Further south, Harvey Hills and Cookernup
Bush Fire Brigades have been unable to add on kitchens, ablution blocks and
change rooms to their existing premises because of lack of funding.
“This situation is a slap in the face to these emergency
workers and their families, particularly when the Carpenter Government has just
announced their 2.3 billion dollar surplus,” Mr Cowper said.
“At the same time that these essential facilities are being
ignored, the Carpenter Government is spending $46 million on a new FESA
headquarters at Cockburn Central for about 250 bureaucrats.”
“I’m sure the 30 000 volunteers will be well pleased that
while they are fighting bushfires in the summer heat, Alan Carpenter and John
Kobelke are ensuring that bureaucrats are sitting in airconditioned comfort.”
“It’s criminal and really sheets home the Carpenter
Government’s failure to manage the state and provide front line services, not
bureaucrats.”
Media Contact : Murray Cowper
0417 990 953
Photo : Murray Cowper MLA and Jim Camplin
examining a Murray region SES vehicle
