The NSW Labor Government today slashed funding for the Emergency Services portfolio by almost $120 million by 2012, in a classic case of cost shifting onto mum and dad insurance holders, Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Anthony Roberts said today.

It’s estimated these cuts will add at least $10 to the cost of every home insurance policy.

The cuts to the NSW Fire Brigade, Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service follow a decade of an unprecedented number of fires, floods and natural disasters that claimed many lives and resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars damage to property.

“This is classic cost-shift which again slugs families already struggling to pay their bills,” Mr Roberts said.

“The State Labor Government has effectively abandoned funding the State Emergency Service and the Rural Fire Service.

“This is sneaky ploy from a Premier who is loose with the truth.

“Not content with slugging families more for school bus passes, green slips, public transport fares and child care fees, Labor now hits insurance policy holders.

“This is a further disincentive for people to take out general insurance leaving them vulnerable should they be unfortunate enough to be struck by a natural disaster.

“In light of the Insurance Council of Australia stating today that they have not been consulted on this new Budget measure, which will rely on insurance companies collecting an additional levy on insurance policies for the State Emergency Service, the Minister needs to guarantee that there will be no cuts to frontline services and equipment,” Mr Roberts said.