CODE 2, VOL 31, NO 30 : 12 december 2017

On Monday 11 December 2017 the Premier, Ms Palaszczuk, announced that the ALP led 56th term of Queensland parliament will include a Minister dedicated solely to fire and rescue, splitting the portfolio away from police and corrective services.

Your union considers the decision by the Premier to have a Minister focussed solely on fire and rescue as an important improvement, allowing the Minister to dedicate their time to fire and rescue matters, unlike previous parliaments when police (and corrections) portfolio matters appeared to dominate the Minister’s time.

I welcome and congratulate Minister Craig Crawford MP on his appointment as the Minister for Fire and Emergency Services (fire and rescue). 

You may be aware that Minister Crawford is a Queensland paramedic of many years’ service, who understands emergency services having worked alongside many of your colleagues for many years in Far North Queensland. Craig is also a strong supporter of unions, having served for many years on the state committee of management of the paramedics union in Queensland (United Voice). 
 
Your union looks forward with enthusiasm to working with Minister Crawford and his team during this term of Queensland parliament. I want you to be able to continue to do your jobs protecting Queensland communities well, quickly and safely, and also to ensure your terms and conditions of employment are maintained and strengthened.

I take this opportunity on your behalf to publicly thank Minister Mark Ryan MP (who retains his Ministerial role with the portfolios of police and corrective services) for the work he and his staff did to assist your union, specifically during the negotiation of your 2016 Certified Agreement, but also on many other matters big and small during his time as Minister for fire and rescue.

I am attending the swearing in of the new Ministry today and will have the opportunity to welcome the new Minister.

 

John Oliver - General Secretary

 

Authorised by John Oliver General Secretary 
United Firefighters' Union of Australia, Union of Employees QLD