Govt fails to rule out ESL hike

In the past year there have been widespread protests as some ESL bills rose more than 1000 per cent after the government removed concessions.

Country Fire Service Volunteer Association executive director Sonia St Alban said when Emergency Services Minister Tony Piccolo was asked at a meeting yesterday what would happen if his proposed sector reforms came in over budget, his response was that the ESL would be increased.

Ms St Alban said this further bolstered the CFSVA's argument that the reforms should be halted until a business plan and the true costs of the reforms are identified.

Opposition Emergency Services spokesman Duncan McFetridge said it was outrageous the Minister would be considering making South Australians suffer more by another increase to the ESL.

“There is clear evidence the ESL has hit South Australians very hard and they are suffering badly,” he said.

“To hear the Minister has said the government is considering increasing the ESL and the Treasurer two weeks ago in Parliament didn’t rule out an increase in the ESL, it is clear the government is trying to hit South Australians with ESL increases to pay for their incompetence.”

“The whole problem with the proposed restructure is there is no business plan and no evidence of improved efficiencies or effectiveness and so the government is going in blind.

“South Australians are expected to have faith in them but what we are seeing is evidence being given to a parliamentary Select Committee that the government is going to fund this through increases in tax by increasing ESL.”

Committee chair and Family First MLC Robert Brokenshire said it was almost unbelievable the Minister would come out and tell people a rise in ESL may be an option.

“The government has just ripped $90 million out of the community, farmers are struggling to pay now and they are protesting about the increases,” he said.

“They are saying they won’t go and protect public property they will only look after private property.

“If they give another increase to the ESL it would almost be a point where volunteers will walk.”

Mr Brokenshire said the evidence given so far showed there should be no reform until a proper cost-benefit analysis, business plan and strategic plan are signed off on and legislation is brought before parliament.

Committee member The Greens MLC Tammy Franks said the angst and distress of the current ESL hikes were still hurting South Australians.

“The Minister’s words that he is considering another hike in a future Budget round are deeply insulting to the volunteers already struggling not just to pay the ESL, but devoting time and energy to helping their community,” she said.

“He is the Minister for Emergency Services not the Minister against Emergency Services, he should be fighting for this sector the same way they fight to protect us.”

When contacted by Stock Journal Mr Piccolo said he did attend the Chief Officers Advisory Committee meeting yesterday but he declined to comment on an increase to the ESL.

“As I have always said, the primary aim of the reform is to deliver the best possible service to the community,” he said.

“The initial work groups have been established, the reform is ongoing and the business plan including costings will be developed as part of that work.”

- More to come.