Labor puts our frontline staff first and foremost

I RESPOND to the letter “LNP standing up for first responders” ( TB 5/ 6) and Andrew Cripps’ completely inaccurate statements claiming Labor has not acted in regard to better protecting our much valued frontline staff.

I can inform Mr Cripps my lengthy history having worked as a paramedic with the Queensland Ambulance Service and facing many challenging situations, strengthens my resolve to be a part of a government that does indeed value our frontline people and condemns those who place any at risk.

Can I suggest Mr Cripps has not spoken with the people who actually respond daily to a range of at- risk situations in our communities and quite clearly not their organisations’ representatives? Had the Member for Hinchinbrook done so, he of course would be much better informed on the very good work that has been achieved.

This includes, but is not limited to, proactive training in situational awareness, chemical sedation treatment options, and duress alarms for staff placed in at- risk situations. Further, at any clearly defined dangerous situation, our well trained and professional staff can stage and await Queensland Police Service resources.

As a former paramedic of 25 years, who remains an honorary officer, I have myself completed some of this training and found it invaluable. As a local member of the Palaszczuk Government, I commend the Health and Ambulance Services Minister who has engaged with both the members of the QAS and their industrial representatives, United Voice and the QPS who were each involved in the Paramedic Safety Taskforce who made several key recommendations to government which as described above have been well supported.

Finally, I recall the severe cuts the LNP Newman Government inflicted, of which you Mr Cripps were a minister, on many of our frontline staff of the broader public service and its proud organisations. In fact, it is because of that horrid term of government who sacked over 14,000 people that drove my resolve to stand up and oppose such a complete devaluing of our greatest asset, our people.

They are the ones our government will always put first and foremost. It is indeed our frontline staff, who are the very backbone of our government organisations that respond in challenging times of need throughout Queensland, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days of the year.

AARON HARPER, Member for Thuringowa.