Factcheck: Is there really a green conspiracy to stop bushfire hazard reduction? - The Guardian 12/11/19

Firefighters are trying to contain dozens of fires across two states, but a familiar blame game has already begun What about cuts to staff? The Public Service Association has also attacked the NSW government for what it said was a “35% cut to fire-trained positions” in national parks. Its acting general secretary, Troy Wright, said on Tuesday: “It is the Nationals who hold the purse string.…

Read More

National Parks Cuts: Troy Wright on ABC Radio Sydney 13/11/19

PSA ACTING GENERAL SECRETARY TROY WRIGHT ON ABC RADIO SYDNEY THIS MORNING Wendy Harmer and Robbie Buck discuss with Troy the budget and job cuts at the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service after some comments yesterday from The Nationals re hazard reduction and back burning in our National Parks. LISTEN TO FROM 1:21 https://www.abc.net.au/…/progr…/breakfast/breakfast/11679804    

Read More

Danger of cutbacks to rangers burns NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro - The Australian 13/11/19

A fierce feud has ignited between NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro and the National Parks and Wildlife Service following revelations the number of rangers, who perform hazard reduction burns, has been cut by a third since the Coalition came to power in 2011. The Public Service Association has accused Mr Barilaro of gross hypocrisy after the Deputy Premier blamed the department for contributing to the…

Read More

Labor question reveals discrepancy in Berejiklian government figures on fire-trained rangers - Daily Telegraph 13/11/19

The state opposition has questioned the Berejiklian government’s claim that the number of fire-trained staff in the National Parks and Wildlife Service stands at 1226 when figures show there were just over 1000 only four months ago. As of 1 July, there were 1044 staff qualified for firefighting duties within the agency, according to answers from the government in response to a question on notice…

Read More

Barilaro pours more fuel on bushfire spat - Blue Mountains Gazette 13/11/19

Deputy Premier John Barilaro has poured fuel on an explosive spat with a union after his party was accused of hindering bushfire preparations across NSW with "crippling" staff cuts. A political blame game has broken - even as bushfires continue to rage - with Mr Barilaro criticising the National Parks and Wildlife Service for not doing enough hazard reduction in the lead-up to the fire…

Read More