RFSA election pledge – the parties respond
Earlier this year, we launched a pledge of support for RFS members in the lead up to the state election. We asked both the government and the opposition to pledge their support in three key areas:
- Protecting the independence of the RFS as a stand-alone agency, and not removing any of its functions;
- Giving injured firefighters a fair go by increasing payments for permanent impairment and adding a presumption that members suffering PTSD acquired it through their service to make the claim process easier; and
- Providing the safest vehicles and equipment, with budget increases to deliver newer appliances, safety equipment, decontamination and brigade station improvements.
You can view the full pledge here. While neither the government nor opposition formally signed the pledge, both have provided responses about their support for the RFS and its members.
The opposition has provided a statement of support, modelled on our pledge, addressing each of our requests. While some points are a little less strong than we would have liked, they have provided support in every aspect of the pledge! You can read the opposition’s Statement of Support for Rural Fire Service Members here.
The government has provided a letter addressing what they’ve delivered for the RFS over recent years, and confirming their support to increase impairment payments. We’ve enjoyed a very productive working relationship with the government and successive Ministers over the years, and we’ve achieved a lot together, but they have not committed to all of the issues in our pledge. You can read the Minister’s letter on behalf of the government here.
As well as sending the pledge to the government and opposition, we also wrote to all major party candidates in electorates with brigades, as well as independent and minor party candidates with a chance of winning.
We’re delighted to be able to report that we’ve received good support across the political spectrum, with members of the Liberal, National, Labor and Greens parties, as well as competitive independents, signing the pledge. Others have responded with messages of support without signing the pledge itself. A list of candidates who’ve signed the pledge is available here.
Regardless of the outcome of the election, we will be actively engaging with whoever serves as Minister for Emergency Services to promote and advance the interests of our members, and the Rural Fire Service as a whole. We will continue to pursue the issues raised in the pledge, as well as other opportunities to improve the experience of RFS members.
If you have any questions about the pledge of support, please contact Policy & Governance Manager Greg Dezman at greg.dezman@rfsa.org.au.
List of Signatories (as at 2:30pm, 20/03/2023)
Electorate | Name | Party |
---|---|---|
Badgerys Creek | Tanya Davies MP | Liberal |
Ballina | Tamara Smith MP | Greens |
Bega | Dr Michael Holland MP | Labor |
Blue Mountains | Richard Marschall | Sustainable Australia |
Clarence | Richie Williamson | Nationals |
Lake Macquarie | Greg Piper MP | Independent |
Monaro | Jenny Goldie | Greens |
Murray | Peta Betts | Nationals |
Murray | Helen Dalton MP | Independent |
Murray | David Landini | Independent |
Oxley | Michael Kemp | Nationals |
Pittwater | Jacqui Scruby | Independent |
Wakehurst | Michael Regan | Independent |