Sandra Goudie MP
National Party Internal Affairs Spokeswoman

9 August 2007

Minister's insults rural firefighters called 'Austin 7's'

Rural firefighters received more proof of the low regard in which they are held by Labour at the Rural Forest and Fires conference, says National's Internal Affairs spokeswoman, Sandra Goudie.

"Rick Barker is hell-bent on centralising New Zealand's fire services, with Rural Fire Authorities being told they can either join the new Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) or they must continue to find their funding through rates. This is a takeover by threat.

"The Minister fails to appreciate that New Zealand rural volunteer firefighters are among the most competent and highly regarded in the world and in demand to help fight wildfires internationally.

"He told delegates at the Rural Forest and Fires Conference in Nelson that he doesn't buy into the 'if it isn't broken it doesn't need fixing' argument.

"In his speech he compared the volunteer force with a '1936 Austin 7, which may be in 'effective working order but everyone knows we could get better.'

"Rick Barker sees the FRS as a flashy new toy to play with. It is a tragedy that he has no problem trading in a solid, reliable, well-respected and well-performing model to get it."

ENDS

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