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Volunteer Lifesavers To Fork Out For Their Own Police Checks

By Philip Davis - 23rd March 2005 - Back to News

Victorian volunteer lifesavers will soon have to shell out for their own police checks when the Bracks Government introduces mandatory checks for persons who come into contact with children as part of their involvement in sporting clubs and community groups.

Liberal Member for Gippsland Province Philip Davis said lifesaving volunteers accepted the need for police checks, but have been told that they or their local clubs would be responsible for the cost of the police checks - estimated to be up to $120 each.

"Labor’s Minister for Emergency Services, Tim Holding must explain why lifesavers are being treated as second class volunteers by having to foot the bill for police checks themselves when their counterpart volunteers in the CFA and SES will have their police checks paid for by their respective organizations," Mr Davis said.

"The Bracks Government claims that it officially recognises lifesaving as an emergency service, but lifesavers justifiably feel they are not treated equally alongside other emergency services volunteers.

"On top of this snub from the Bracks Government, lifesavers are also forced to fundraise to pay their own public liability insurance while the government picks up the tab for the CFA and SES’ public liability insurance."

Mr Davis said concerned lifesaving volunteers have told the Liberal Party that they accept the need for police checks, but they believe that Lifesaving Victoria should fully pay for the checks.

"Tim Holding must make an immediate budgetary allocation to Lifesaving Victoria to pay for the cost of police checks for all lifesaving volunteers," he said.

"Labor can’t expect volunteers to continue giving their valuable time when it will hurt them in the hip pocket. We should be making it easier, not harder for volunteers to contribute to society."

Mr Davis said lifesaving was an important emergency service in Victoria and volunteers should be able to concentrate on training and improving their skills to ensure safety on our beaches rather than having to worry about tin rattling to pay for police checks.

"More people need to be encouraged to volunteer as lifesavers and they should not be put off by having to continually fundraise for day to day operational expenses that should be the responsibility of the State Government," he said.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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