NSW Parliament Speaker Jonathan O'Dea labelled claims the NSW government will cut the State's firefighting budget as "absolutely rubbish" and "offensive".
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr O'Dea said this during a visit to Taree and Forster on Wednesday, December 11. He responded to comments made by NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay, who claimed the government's budget papers reveal a $40 million budget cut to the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW.
"In plain terms, it's absolutely rubbish and it's offensive," Mr O'Dea said.
"There is an enormous commitment from the (NSW) government not only historically but going forward and for those people that say that, they're politically driven and not accurate."
He was accompanied by Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead for a tour of towns impacted by bushfires such as Bobin, Hillville and Rainbow Flat.
"We want to show our concern for the people who are impacted by the devastating fires," Mr O'Dea said.
"Our admiration goes out to those people, we are very conscious that the impact will be enduring for some people and we need to make sure that the support that's there from the government continues in the recovery phase."
Mr Bromhead wanted Mr O'Dea to see firsthand the devastation of the bushfires and to understand what the communities went through.
"By doing that and rather than just seeing pictures and me explaining to parliament what it was like, he'll be able to get the message across to parliament about the true devastation of the fires and what we need to do in the future in the recovery phase," Mr Bromhead said.
He said the short term requirements for the bushfire recovery include housing, water and infrastructure.
"They're all the things that need to happen right away and then from that I'm sure there will be an inquiry into the fires and then look at ways where we could be doing things better in the future," Mr Bromhead said.
A member of the Tuncurry brigade, Mr Bromhead recounted his experience of fighting fires.
"When you're looking at 100 feet flames, it's pretty nerve-wracking but at the same time our guys are well prepared, trained and skilled," he said.
"You've got lots of guys with tremendous experience and so you've got that confidence that you know what you're doing.
"There's techniques and skills involved in fighting bushfires, which is different to fighting a fire at a house or a structure.
"We can do it as safe as we can possibly do it."
