DEAD END: Bob Cameron won’t give way to requests for a meeting, say emergency services workers.
in
Friday, 7 November, 2008
Bendigo Weekly
By ANTHONY RADFORD
MEMBER for Bendigo West Bob Cameron has been described as arrogant and accused of putting lives at risk by refusing to talk to Victoria’s three emergency services unions.
The Police Association, United Firefighters Union and Ambulance Employees Australia will join together for an unprecedented combined protest outside Mr Cameron’s Golden Square electorate office on November 25.
The unions claim Mr Cameron, who is also the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, had ignored their requests, in some cases for up to a year, to discuss what they see as vital and life-saving issues.
The Bendigo Weekly revealed the extent of the city’s ambulance crisis last month.
AEA general secretary Steve McGhie said although Mr Cameron was not their direct Minister, the issues with their staff were local and they would also support the other two unions.
“The theme of this rally is community safety,” he said.
“Bendigo is one of the worst areas in the state for delays.
“Some of the delays in Bendigo are unheard of. One-and-a-half hour delays in emergency cases are unheard of and shouldn’t be happening.”
Mr McGhie repeated his claims the delays were costing lives.
“There is no question people’s lives are being compromised,” he said.
“It is about not providing enough ambulance resources in the Bendigo area.”
UFU national and state secretary Peter Marshall agreed lives could be lost and said towns could be at risk this fire season because of a lack of resources and negotiations.
“I am very concerned that unless the Minister stops this arrogance and shows proactive leadership and addresses these concerns we will have a fire service going into the worst season ever with the lowest morale ever,” he said.
“We have been writing to him for well over 12 months to set up a meeting over some serious issues.
“There has either been no response or he is not available.
“I don’t care what political persuasion is in office, we are about to enter one of the worst fire seasons we have ever seen and the Minister is delaying these issues being discussed.
“It is his responsibility to make sure fire fighters are prepared as best as possible and don’t go into these dangerous situations thinking about these sorts of things.”
The UFU is seeking a meeting with Mr Cameron to discuss staffing, overtime issues as well as fire fighter health and welfare.
“We shouldn’t need to resolve these things through the media,” he said.
“The fact that these three organisations have to go to the extent of a rally outside the Minister’s office says something for the significance of this.”
Police Association assistant secretary Bruce McKenzie said communication and resources issues were at the heart of their battle with Mr Cameron.
“From a Police Association perspective it is about a Police Minister who won’t communicate with the Police Association,” he said.
“It is also about amendments to the Police Regulations Act which remove several important rights for police officers.
“It is also about a Police Minister who has allowed police numbers, particularly in his own electorate, to run down to the bare bones.
“We don’t deserve to be treated this way and the people of Bendigo don’t deserve to be treated this way.”
Mr McKenzie said although numbers at the rally would not be large, they would be loud.
“We are looking at sending a very clear message to the Minister. He has let us down and he has
let Bendigo down.”
Mr Cameron was unavailable for comment.
Metro
