Calling Elvis

RECENTLY many of your readers may have seen a scare campaign run by the Victorian Labor Party.
The material that has been circulated including media reports, is misleading your readers.
The claims by the Victorian Labor Party that the State Government failed to order the aircraft known as Elvis is incorrect, the fact is that Elvis was no longer available.
The National Aerial Fire-fighting Centre, which procures high-performance fire-fighting aircraft on behalf of Australia’s states and territories, has today confirmed earlier advice that Elvis was not offered as part of the tender process for this season as it has been contracted to do construction crane work in South America.
Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley has confirmed again today that Victoria will have 41 aircraft, including two 7,500 litre capacity aircranes, to protect Victorians this fire season. This is the same aerial fire-fighting coverage as last year. The Erickson S64E can get to incidents faster and pick up and drop more loads in a shorter time-frame.
The Victorian Coalition Government has provided record funding to the CFA, with the government’s budget allocations for Victoria’s fire services higher than in any year under the former Victorian Labor Government. That funding increased once again in the recent Budget.
While Labor says it can’t be done, the Victorian Coalition Government is delivering on its commitments to implement every one of the VBRC recommendations to keep communities safe.
Since coming to office in 2010-’11 the Victorian Coalition Government has provided the CFA with more than $1.84 billion. The CFA Budget is $446,150,000 in 2013-’14, up from $399,000,000 in Labor’s last year.
I hope this addresses some of your readers concerns about the coming fire season.
Brad Battin,
Gembrook MP.