CODE 2, VOL 36, NO 18 : 26 october 2022

FIRE AND RESCUE REFORM CONFIRMED BY MINISTER RYAN

Further to my previous update to members on 21 October 2022, I am very pleased to announce that Minister Mark Ryan has answered your union’s call for action.

This morning (Wednesday 26 October 2022) in a press conference in front of Queensland Parliament the Minister confirmed QFES will be dismantled and that the Palaszczuk Government has accepted the KPMG recommendation to establish a dedicated and stand-alone Queensland Fire Department.

The new department will be the existing Fire and Rescue Service and will host the Rural Fire Service within it as a separate entity.

Minister Ryan confirmed that this reform will include “a significant boost in funding and personnel” to deliver “the personnel and resources needed to support” Fire and Rescue operations.

This is a historic day. It is the beginning of the return of an operationally focused Fire and Rescue Service and the final nail in the coffin of the failed QFES experiment.

More information will be provided to members as the reform is implemented but rest assured that your calls for change have been heard and your union will work as hard as we can to ensure a speedy return to a focus on firefighters, fire stations and fire appliances.

John Oliver - General Secretary

 

 

 

Authorised by John Oliver General Secretary 
United Firefighters' Union of Australia, Union of Employees QLD

v38#9 WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CHANGES INTRODUCED TO QUEENSLAND PARLIAMENT

In this edition - I am pleased to report that after more than a year of work by your union, on Wednesday 17 April, 2024 the Hon Ms Grace Grace, Minister for Industrial Relations introduced a Bill amending the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003. I take this opportunity to thank Minister Grace on behalf of all firefighters for her and her department's engagement with your union on the journey to the Bill being tabled today.

v38#7 NEW QFD LEGISLATION – PROGRESS UPDATE

In this edition - On Tuesday 26 March 2024, the UFUQ will appear in person at the Public Hearing in Queensland parliament before the Community Safety and Legal Affairs Committee.

v38#5 NEW QFD LEGISLATION PROCESS – PROGRESS UPDATE

In this edition - I reported to you on 7 March 2024 that the Bill to amend the FES Act 1990 was introduced into Queensland parliament. I again thank Minister Boyd for her ongoing support for progression of the new legislation and the new QFD, returning the focus of the department to operations and operational outcomes.

v38#4 NEW QFD LEGISLATION TABLED IN QUEENSLAND PARLIAMENT

In this edition - I have published multiple Code 2’s in recent years about the UFUQ position that legislative reform was needed to protect the professional firefighting role in Queensland. Your union has done a significant amount of work talking to the Queensland government about this and finally, we can announce the commencement of the legislative changes we have been pushing for.

v38#3 UFUQ REMEMBERS SUB-STATION OFFICER HERBIE FENNELL AND FIREFIGHTER NOEL WATSON KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY 11 FEBRUARY 1994

In this edition - This 11th of February 2024 will mark the 30th anniversary of the fire at Southport Honda where Sub-Station Officer Herbie Fennell and Firefighter Noel Watson were killed in the line of duty.

v38#1 UFUQ WELCOMES 2024 WITH QFD AND MORE

In this edition - On behalf of your Executive, State Committee members and all elected officials I welcome members to the first 2024 Code 2 from your union. This is an exciting year for all members, with QFD and its return to a focus on operations and operational outcomes being a significant improvement to the bloated QFES, which had lost its way under bad leadership.

v37#26 MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

In this edition - On behalf of the State UFUQ Executive members, and all of your elected officials and employees of the State UFUQ, I wish every member a safe, and Merry Christmas and also a happy New Year.

v37#23 FIRE CONDITIONS REQUIRE PROFESSIONAL RESPONSE

In this edition - The current conditions for fire across Queensland on 31 October are grim, and many of you and your colleagues are out there right now doing the best you can, and many more of you may soon be called on to do the job you are trained and experienced to do.

v37#22 2024 DIARIES AND CALENDARS

In this edition - Your 2024 diaries and calendars will be mailed out in late December.

v37#21 QFES DRAWS CLOSER TO EXTINCTION

In this edition - Your union has been working hard for an end to the QFES circus, through the establishment of the new Queensland Fire Department and a return to fire and rescue operations being the focus of that new department.

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