Shadow Minister for Emergency services, Anthony Roberts MP, has today called upon the former Minister for Emergency Services, Premier Nathan Rees to show leadership on the issue of the current NSW Fire Brigade Wage claim and end the dispute before it spirals out of control.

“With the increased cost of living, higher interest rates and rising petrol prices that affect so many fire-fighters who commute long distances to work, it is only appropriate that their wage increase reflects inflationary pressures” Mr Roberts said.

“You really need to know the Firies and understand the great work they do to know that many of them and their families are hurting under the current economic climate.

“The NSW Firies don’t have the luxury of government paid limousines and expense accounts, they just get on with the job of saving lives and property everyday.

“To ask NSW Firies to offset pay increases with productivity savings is ridiculous.  What are the Firies supposed to do, find more fires?” Mr Roberts said.

“Fire-fighters are one of the pillars of our community and for them to be forced to threaten industrial action shows how poorly Nathan Rees as Minister for Emergency Services and now as Premier, has handled the situation”.

“The NSW Coalition calls upon the Premier to resolve this issue before fire-fighters are forced to walk of the job and lives and property are put in danger”. said Mr Roberts.