LNP Shadow Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Lachlan Millar has hit out at the Palaszczuk Labor Government for financing its coronavirus response using taxpayer money meant for firefighting and major emergencies.
It’s been revealed $16 million in important funding that would normally be used in the lead up to bushfire season had been redirected, even though the money was sourced through local fire levies.
Mr Millar joined with the Rural Fire Brigade Association Queensland and the United Firefighters Union in calling for all money raised through the levies to be spent on the purpose it was collected for.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government clearly has no budget and no plan,’” said Mr Millar.
“Good government should be able to fund these sorts of coronavirus support services without reducing fire and emergency services funding.
“This funding is crucial to help protect communities across Queensland from bushfire disasters.
“Draining the emergency services budget is on top of the Palaszczuk Labor Government failing to meet its hazard reduction burn and fire mitigation targets last year before the fire season.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government must release a full budget so Queenslanders can see where their taxes are going.
“Queenslanders have been let down by five years of economic mismanagement by Labor.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk must guarantee that this money will be returned and that money Queenslanders pay through fire levies funds fire services.”
