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The Prime Minister has today met with Rural Fire Service volunteers to help map out a way for them to continue their efforts without him having to move any money around.
Scotty From Marketing has rejected calls for more help for firefighters as the New South Wales and Queensland bushfire crisis is expected to worsen over Christmas.
While he’s not that keen on giving our brave fireys a go in exchange for their two month-long unpaid go, the PM has announced plans to spend an equivalent to the salaries of the Coalition front bench on water bombing planes.
“We’re backing our firefighters and our water bombing fleet with an extra $11 million boost,” Mr Morrison said.
“That’s on top of the $15 million we already deliver each year for aerial firefighting to tackle what has already been a devastating fire season that was caused by pure accidents and could not have been prevented in any way”
Over the last few weeks, hundreds of fires have been burning across the east coast, with many uncontrolled. Firefighters expected conditions to deteriorate with no rain forecasted until April or May.
About 2,700 firefighters are in the field, many from volunteer NSW Rural Fire Service brigades who haven’t had the chance
As smoke brought Canberra and Sydney’s air quality to more than 11 times the hazardous level, Scott Morrison spoke in Sydney about the religious discrimination bill.
However, when it comes to the pressing issue of the RFS volunteers being forced to take months off work and away from their families – Scotty From Marketing says if there was ever a time to use that long service leave their generous employers are legally required to provide them with – it’s now!
“I’ve never been a big fan of these kinds of employee entitlements” said Morrison during a meeting at embattled RFS office in a rural area nowhere near The Shire.
“I feel like long service leave and penalty rates discourage Australian workers from having a go and end up becoming a burden for their employers”
“But, in moments like this, I can kind of see why they are useful”
“So boys, if you are worried about getting food on the table through Christmas. I reckon just hit up your bosses aye”
“You’ve got long service leave for a reason”
