The Iemma Government’s Budget allocation to the State Emergency Service (SES) is a shameful attempt to cover-up years of neglect and one that puts the lives of volunteers in danger, Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Anthony Roberts said today.

“The Budget is playing catch-up with some urgent recruitment demands, but alarmingly still fails to properly resource the SES with rescue vehicles,” Mr Roberts said.

“Where’s the money to replace more than 33 per cent of SES vehicles which are more than 10 years old, including a troop carrier in Baradine which is 29 years old, a primary accident rescue vehicle at White Cliffs that is 32 years old and a 25 year old emergency response vehicle at Wilcannia,” he said. 

“Our volunteers do their work under hazardous conditions and deserve modern rescue vehicles.”

Mr Roberts said the Iemma Government’s Budget also ignored many rural and regional areas that were unable to raise the necessary funds in order to obtain a NSW Government subsidy to replace the aging SES emergency fleet.

“NSW Labor Ministers enjoy chauffeur-driven limousines, but our brave volunteers are forced to respond to emergencies in an aging and increasingly unreliable fleet that has none of the modern vehicle safety features.

“The Iemma Government’s increase in the training allocation for new recruits is long overdue.

“And the Iemma Government must not stop there - a modern and safe rescue vehicle fleet is critical to deal with emergencies,” he said.