yes heard it, Wendy was good and got the point across (I think) but the radio "host" was hopeless when the minister came on and just let him trot out his usual line without getting him to address the points Wendy raised.
Here's Wendy's email that has gone out widely:
From: Wendy Shirley [mailto:
[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, 15 December 2009 10:05 AM
Subject: Survey of MPs prior to State election
Hi Everyone
The CFSVA has prepared a survey which has been sent to all State MPs. To read the survey click on the link below
http://www.cfsva.org.au/News/tabid/71/newsid410/126/Default.aspxThe survey has been developed with the assistance of a prominent ex politician, to educate MPs on the issues facing CFS Volunteers, and to gain commitment for their support. Attached also is the letter sent to accompany the survey. The letter and survey sent to all upper house and lower house MPs. Candidates will receive the survey over the next few weeks.
The content is the result of an honest assessment of the SA Country Fire Service situation in comparison to the MFS and our like interstate counterparts. The intent is to consolidate our position as an important and integral part of the SA emergency response community by enlisting direct MP support.
The Association saw this as an opportune time given the events of this year, and the forthcoming election. It is based on the funding paper that the Association prepared earlier this year (attached)
This will be the next step of the campaign to raise awareness around the significant lack of support for CFS and CFS volunteers.To support the process, we will do a series of profiles featuring CFS volunteers who see these issues as important to brigades and CFS members, probably in early January
We also hope to send a small delegation to visit sitting MPs in marginal seats to talk face to face about these issues. (if you would like to assist in this please let me know).
This is not meant to be a political attack on the government. As we make clear, the CFS has suffered from a lack of funding from both major parties.
Nor is it meant as an attack on the MFS management, MFS firefighters or the UFU. Indeed, the MFS model represents the level of support we should be getting from the SA Government. We can no longer continue to accept the inequity in funding of the items that volunteers need to do thei job.
The survey was enthusiastically supported yesterday at COAC.
If the link does not work for you, go directly to the CFSVA website at
www.cfsva.org.au and click on the headline CFSVA Questionnaire on the right hand side of the page If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to call me on 0427 823 656
Regards
Wendy Shirley
Executive Director, CFSVA
