Newman Puts Rural and Regional Ambulance Stations at Risk.

A Media release from the Shadow Community Safety Minister Bill Byrne for Queensland:

Shadow Community Safety Minister Bill Byrne says the Premier has failed to guarantee the future of ambulance stations and paramedic numbers in rural and regional Queensland.

Mr Byrne said the Premier was asked in State Parliament to guarantee the existing stations and paramedic numbers would be maintained or enhanced.

“Appallingly, instead of reassuring the people of rural and regional Queensland, the Premier said ‘all things are being looked at’ and he is not making any guarantees,” Mr Byrne said.

“That means ambulance stations, especially in smaller centres, could fall victim to the Newman Government’s axe.

“I think communities right across rural and regional Queensland would be horrified that the Premier is considering closing their local ambulance station or slashing frontline paramedic positions.

“Once again Premier Newman has shown his utter ignorance about the service needs of rural and regional Queensland,” he said.

Mr Byrne said the Premier’s admission came on the same day the Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney belittled and dismissed ambulance workers and fire fighters protesting at Parliament House.

“More than 1,000 ambos and firies rallied at Parliament House yesterday calling on the Government to guarantee regional and rural stations will remain open, to confirm emergency workers will not be outsourced and to open negotiations on wages and conditions,” he said.

“Instead of providing guarantees for our hard-working frontline ambos and firies or even talking to them, the Newman Government rudely dismissed them.

“The Deputy Premier told the media yesterday ‘those people really are wasting their time’.

“The arrogant dismissal of these concerns is insulting to all Queenslanders who rely on the important frontline services ambos and firies provide.”