RESCUERS SEE RED
MARINE SERVICE DISPUTE:
MARINE rescuers have threatened to pull all their vessels from across the Far North, as a dispute with the Queensland Government over red tape reaches breaking point.
Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford is in crisis talks with Australian Volunteer Coast Guard members, who claim the State Government is dragging the chain in allowing them to join alternative organisation, the Volunteer Marine Rescue Association of Queensland.
Since early last year, several of the Far North’s Coast Guard units have wanted to join VMR, seeking greater autonomy for individual units, free industry recognised training, and less overheads.
However VMR Gulf of Carpentaria officer-in-charge Peter Graham said the Government was stalling in allowing units such as Port Douglas become rebadged.
“We are about to see a number of unhappy Coast Guard units roll over, but are stalled in the process awaiting government guidelines to be drawn up,” he said.
“All that needs to happen for a unit to roll is repaint the boat and change the sign at the front of the building.
“Nothing changes for the community and the crews doing the job.
“All Coast Guard and VMR units receive exactly the same amount of money from the state … Any other funds the units have are raised by the unit and the local community.”
Mr Graham said unless the Department of Fire and Emergency Services assisted local units, there was no need for them to continue servicing the region.
“Unless (Mr Crawford) comes up with a solution quickly, there’s going to be lots of the coastline with nothing,” he said.
The Government’s Marine Rescue Service level agreements with VMR and Coast Guard is due to expire in June 2019, with negotiations for the next agreements expected later this year.
Mr Crawford said he valued the contribution of marine rescue volunteers and was committed to supporting them.
“I’ve visited several flotillas and I’m aware of some issues,” he said. “I am committed to ensuring continuity of Marine Rescue services … and my office is seeking advice (from QFES).”