CODE 2, VOL 34, NO 65 : 14 december 2020

MINISTER RYAN CALLS FOR REVIEW OF QFES:
WANTS TO KNOW ‘WHAT WORKS’ AND ‘WHAT DOESN’T’

You will be well aware that your state UFUQ has long held the position that the way QFES is structured doesn’t work. I also think that the current levy collection and allocation process doesn’t work, and also that the legislation to support your role as professional and auxiliary firefighters and fire communication officers doesn’t work.

Structure.
Funding.
Legislation. 

I am pleased to report that it would appear as though the Minister for Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (The Hon Mr Mark Ryan MP) is thinking the same thing.

During the Queensland Parliament Estimates Hearing on 14 December 2020, Minister Ryan stated the following –

‘Chair, today I can announce a planned review into the structure of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to determine whether the current structure best suits the needs of a post COVID-19 world and the needs of Queensland communities in an ever-changing environment where disasters on a global scale are increasing in frequency and intensity.
The aim of this review is to determine what works, what doesn’t and what can work better.  It’s in the best interests of safety to do so.’

I cannot overstate the importance of this review, and the changes that your union will seek as a result of it.

After hearing from many of you about how the failure that is QFES is impacting your work, I will be conveying in no uncertain terms to the Minister and to the review ‘what works’ and ‘what doesn’t’. I look forward to action finally being taken on the urgent need for change in QFES. 

I will keep you updated with further information regularly as this process gets underway.

John Oliver - General Secretary