Fire Levy Roundtable Forum with business, industry and community leaders

The safety of the community is of paramount importance to the Rockliff Liberal Government which is why we are consulting widely on the best model to resource our critical emergency services.

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, thanked representatives from business, industry, local government, unions and community leaders who attended today’s TFES Roundtable Forum in Hobart.

“We all agreed that fire, floods and storms pose an increasing threat to Tasmania and we need a fire and emergency service levy that funds our emergency services accordingly.

“Today’s discussions were positive and constructive with alternative models and ideas proposed that we will now consider as the consultation phase continues through to 1 December.

“We have always said that we want the final model to be fair to households, fair to business, fair to our regions and also fair to our emergency services so they can save lives.

“The input today was just what we wanted – frank and fearless from our community leaders but with a focus on potential solutions and finding common ground.

“Our Government will continue to consult thoroughly and consider all ideas.

“I encourage any Tasmanian with a view on this issue to get involved with the consultation process and share your ideas, because this is about the future of our great State and the safety of our children and grand-children,” Minister Ellis said. 
  
Submissions on the Bill close on 1 December. More information is available at www.fire.tas.gov.au/reform.