Hon Chris Tremain

Minister of Internal Affairs
27 February 2013 Media Statement

Minister To Visit Fire Fighters In Australia

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain leaves for Melbourne tomorrow to show his support for New Zealand fire fighters helping to control bush fires in Victoria.

The team of 66 fire fighters is New Zealand’s second-largest deployment ever and is made up of Department of Conservation forestry personnel and rural fire fighters. They have been stationed in the Gippsland area for the past two weeks.

“The Australian fire fighters in Victoria are feeling the strain of two months of work in extreme heat and difficult conditions. Our team is relieving the pressure on the local fire crews and giving them an opportunity to rest and recharge,” says Mr Tremain.

“The duties being carried out by our team include controlling fires, building containment lines, and felling dangerous trees. It’s hard arduous work and I want to see first-hand the conditions they are working in and to convey my appreciation.

“We have a reciprocal arrangement in place with the Australians and are happy to help out when needed. This deployment is also a great opportunity to share training and knowledge with one another.

“While in Melbourne I will also be meeting with the Federal Minister for Emergency Management Hon Mark Dreyfus and the Minister for Police and Emergency Services Hon Peter Ryan.”

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>