Blue Card mandate rebuffed by community groups as part of volunteering inquiry

A contentious decision that cost Queensland thousands of volunteer firefighters will be reviewed as part of a parliamentary inquiry touring the state this week.

A Blue Card review is underway in Queensland, with some community groups arguing that their members should not have to obtain a card in order to volunteer for them.

A contentious decision that cost Queensland thousands of emergency services volunteers will be reviewed as part of a parliamentary inquiry touring the Far North this week.

Member for Gregory, Sean Dillon, chaired a six-person committee delving into the challenges community groups face recruiting and retaining members in Cairns on Monday.

Member for Gregory, Sean Dillon, chairs an inquiry into volunteers in Cairns. Picture: Samuel Davis

Among the issues raised, Mr Dillon said imposing a Blue Card mandate on Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) volunteers and other groups would face further scrutiny.

“It has come up from certain sectors and certainly there is a broader piece of work being done by the government around that,” the western Queensland MP said.

“But it will form part of the report, especially around firefighters and other groups that have been long beating the drum about this issue.”

In 2021, volunteer firefighters and those within the SES and marine rescue services were forced to either obtain a Queensland-approved Blue Card, or lose their position under Labor’s “No Card, No Start” policy.

Mr Dillon acknowledged that while the LNP had launched its Blue Card review within its first 100 days of taking office, volunteer groups in regional and remote communities still had concerns.

“The government won’t look at anything that reduces child safety,” Mr Dillon said.

“But we do need to look at practical measures and have committed to do so around that Blue Card framework.

“But nothing will weaken or soften our position on child safety.”

Removing barriers to volunteering was a priority, Member for Cairns Michael Healy said.

“Volunteering is vitally important and we’re seeing across Queensland that it is being challenged,” Mr Healy said.

“We’ve got to make it easier for people. Blue Cards are part of it and sometimes there are costs involved.”

Cook Shire councillor Gavin Dear and mayor Robyn Holmes travelled to Brothers Leagues Club in Cairns to speak with Queensland government ministers at a community cabinet meeting in March. Picture: Brendan Radke

In March, Cook Shire Mayor Robyn Holmes met with Local Government Minister Ann Leahy calling for the state government to scrap its compulsory Blue Card requirements for QRFS members.

The policy and paperwork had crippled rural fire brigades throughout southern Cape York and dissuaded prospective members from joining, Ms Holmes said.

“Some of the members who had Blue Cards at the time said, ‘I’m not renewing. I’m 65 years old. I can’t be bothered doing it and if they think I need a Blue Card to fight a fire and save someone’s house, then I’m just not doing it’,” the outback mayor said.

“Those volunteers are putting their lives at risk and we’re saying, ‘Well, you need to get a Blue Card’.”

The committee will travel to Cooktown on Tuesday before visiting Townsville on Wednesday.

Volunteers committee: Adam Baillie (Member for Townsville), Mark Boothman (Member for Theodore), Sean Dillon (Member for Gregory), Margie Nightingale (Inala), Joan Pease (Member for Lytton) and Michael Healy (Member for Cairns).

Originally published as Blue Card mandate rebuffed by community groups as part of volunteering inquiry