‘Ridiculous situation’: LNP to review Blue Card policy for Queensland volunteer groups

Southern Cape York risks going up in smoke this bushfire season due to a “contorted, tangled bureaucratic process” that has resulted in a dangerously low number of volunteer firefighters, leaders say.

Cook Shire Council 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 on Sunday. Picture: Brendan Radke

Southern Cape York risks going up in smoke this bushfire season due to a “contorted, tangled bureaucratic process” that has resulted in a dangerously low number of volunteer firefighters, leaders say.

Cook Shire Council Mayor Robyn Holmes and councillor Gavin Dear met with local government minister Ann Leahy in Cairns this week, calling for the state government to scrap its compulsory Blue Card requirements for Queensland Rural Fire Service members.

Local Government Minister Ann Leahy met with Cook Shire Council Mayor, Robyn Holmes and councillor Gavin Dear in Cairns recently. Picture: AAP Image/Josh Woning

The QRFS reportedly lost more than 2000 volunteers when Blue Cards – which is a permit to work with children – were made mandatory for all members in 2021.

The stringent policy, and subsequent paperwork had crippled rural fire brigades throughout the shire with potentially dire consequences, Ms Holmes said.

“This year, if we get a big fuel load we’re going to be up shit creek in a barbed wire canoe,” she said.

Fire management practices in Cape York have been affected by the implementation of the Blue Card policy, community leaders say.

The Blue Card policy had not only led to a drop off in numbers but also dissuaded prospective volunteers 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,’” she said.

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

Mr Dear, who braved rising floodwaters in a tinnie to assist in the rescue of 18 people near Helenvale following Tropical Cyclone Jasper, said he quit his QRFS position in disgust.

“You can judge the health of a community by its number of volunteers,” Mr Dear said.

“But there shouldn’t be these kinds of obstacles. In a small rural community, the relevance of a Blue Card is ‘zippo’ because everyone knows each other.

“It is the most contorted, tangled bureaucratic process. I got my Blue Card … but then I quit the brigade because I couldn’t be buggered.”

Member for Cook, David Kempton says a review into when volunteers in Queensland need Blue Cards is needed. Picture: Stewart McLean

Member for Cook, David Kempton said the state government would review the impact the Blue Card policy has had on volunteer groups.

“It’s a ridiculous situation where people can’t go out and support firefighting efforts because they don’t have a Blue Card,” Mr Kempton said.

“I have no doubt about the value of Blue Cards but sometimes it’s just such a stretch.

“There are often people who have been involved in what would be considered misdemeanours who can’t get Blue Cards.

“That stops them from being able to volunteer and it affects employment, so we need to review it.”

Originally published as ‘Ridiculous situation’: LNP to review Blue Card policy for Queensland volunteer groups