Confirmation that Victoria continues to operate the nation’s most expensive fire services is further evidence the Allan Government cannot manage money.
New data released by the Productivity Commission has confirmed:
- The cost of operating Victoria’s fire services in 2022-23 reached $2.166 billion, 30.3 per cent greater than New South Wales and more than double the cost in Queensland.
- Since 2014-15, Victoria’s fire services expenditure has increased by $687.9 million or 46.6 per cent.
- In 2022-23, the number of permanent paid United Firefighter Union (UFU) member firefighters increased to 5,255, up by 223 since 2021-22, whilst the total Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteer staff decreased by a further 998 across the same period.
- Response times to statewide, major city, metro and inner regional structure fires all increased in 2022-23 when compared to 2020-21.
In total under Labor, the number of CFA volunteer firefighters has now fallen by 8,038 or 21.8 per cent.
These figures come as the most recent Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV)annual report confirms the agency recorded a $132.5 million loss in 2021-22.
Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Richard Riordan, said: “Under Labor, Victoria is broke and the Allan Government simply cannot manage money.
“With such dramatic cost increases year on year, it’s clear Jacinta Allan has lost control of Victoria’s fire services and every Victorian is being made to pay the price.
“Under Labor, more than one in five volunteer firefighters have now left the CFA – meaning local communities across the state are in a more vulnerable position.
“Victorians deserve value for money from their emergency services and the Allan Government must explain why it costs so much more to run a fire services system here than anywhere else in the nation.”
