Liberal Candidate for Parramatta John Chedid today expressed concern at the refusal of the Iemma-Costa Labor Government to boost fire-fighter numbers at Parramatta Fire Station. 

According to Freedom of Information data obtained by the Liberal Party, the Parramatta Fire Station has lost 9 fire-fighters over the last two years.

In 2004, Parramatta Fire Station had 50 officers, but as at September 2006 it had been cut back to 41.

"I'm extremely concerned the Iemma-Costa Labor Government is cutting back on frontline services," Mr Chedid said.

"The state's firemen and women do a wonderful job protecting our homes and saving lives, but they deserve the full support of government.

"Morris Iemma and Michael Costa have cutback on frontline services in a desperate attempt to fill their budget black hole.

"Instead of cutting services at the frontline, the Iemma-Costa Government should adopt the Liberal Party’s policy of a bureaucrat recruitment freeze to swap funding from the backroom bureaucracy through to funding frontline staff, such as fire-fighters.
 
“People’s lives are at risk if the Fire Brigade is not adequately resourced and funded,” Mr Chedid said.