The Member for Whitsunday, Amanda Camm MP, is calling for more transparency regarding the Blue Water Review.  

Following a meeting at VMR Mackay with local volunteers and management committee members, the Member for Whitsunday again expressed her concerns regarding the Queensland Labor Government’s Blue Water Review.  

“Here in Mackay, VMR have estimated their volunteers have put in a combined 6600 hours of service.  

“That work and dedication is irreplaceable, especially when you are stranded out on the water with no other way of getting home. 

“We live in a great part of the world where boating is so easily accessible especially in places like Mackay and the Whitsundays. 

“To have a marine rescue organisation ready to go should disaster strike is just as important as being able to call an ambulance if a road accident occurs 

“The frustration across local VMRs is that the only information that has come to hand is around the edges. 

“It has not dealt with the major issues around assets, cash at the bank, about how our volunteers are going to managed and treated, and how our local response will be maintained.  

“These are the big issues that the Queensland Government and the Minister must address,” Ms Camm said.   

Member for Burdekin and Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Dale Last MP, also highlighted the issues facing local VMR squadrons. 

“While there has always been the overarching recommendation from that report for one marine rescue entity to be created, it is becoming clear that this state government has now stopped listening to these volunteers who have busted their guts to raise funds for the assets they have. 

“These are volunteers who have been at grass roots community events for years, raising funds and support for resources and then boarding a vessel later that day to save a life at sea, they deserve to be shown respect.” 

“The Minister is sitting at the helm of this situation but has failed to provide any sort of clear direction forward for volunteers, let alone the communities that rely on their services,” Mr Last said.