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Emergency services super changes not on: hallPlans to change the current superannuation system for emergency service personnel should be dropped, according to Gippsland MP Peter Hall. By Peter Hall - 10th October 2005 - Back to News The State Government informed people recently – ironically in the same week that medal presentations for ambulance officers and the National Police Remembrance Day were held – that it intended to merge the emergency services superannuation fund with the Government’s superannuation fund.
The Nationals are concerned that such a merger would put at risk the safety net provided under the current scheme to families of emergency service personnel, such as police, ambulance officers including the Helimed One crew and fire fighters.
Mr Hall told Parliament last week that he felt it was wrong to jeopardise the service entitlements of emergency service workers.
Mr Hall attended a medal presentation ceremony for Rural Ambulance Victoria officers in area eight, where 37 officers received either national medals, long service medals or safe driving medals. Then, the following day, he attended a service in Morwell for National Police Remembrance Day.
"This commemorates police officers who have unfortunately lost their lives in doing service to their communities," Mr Hall said.
"Ironically, on the same day I received in my mail a letter from the Police Association condemning the Bracks government for its proposals to merge the emergency services superannuation fund with the government's superannuation office.
"Having met with and talked to those ambulance and police officers over two days I feel it is just not right to jeopardise the service entitlements of these very brave men and women who perform an admirable service for the people of Victoria.
"I join police officers, ambulance officers and fire fighters in this state in condemning the Bracks government for its proposals. These brave people deserve better, and I urge the government to drop its proposals to merge the superannuation funds."
Mr Hall added, outside Parliament, that members of the emergency services worked in extremely stressful and often dangerous situations to ensure the ongoing safety and security of the community.
"Knowing that under the present scheme their own families would be protected to some extent provides them with a level of comfort and we should not put that at risk, although that is what the current Government is doing."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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