Volunteer Coast Guard Welcomes Proposed Reforms
The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard greets with enthusiasm the statement by Ports Minister Joe Tripodi that the NSW government is committed to improving volunteer marine rescue in NSW.
'Australian Volunteer Coast Guard'
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The Coast Guard is one of the three volunteer organisations providing rescue, assistance and education service to the NSW boating public.
The Minister's statement follows a review of volunteer marine rescue by former Deputy Speaker John Price. 
The subsequent discussion paper recommends the rationalisation of volunteer marine rescue, towards the formation of a single organisation, initially through the formation of an administrative committee under the direction of the NSW Water Police.
Coast Guard State Council Chair, Frank Robards, said, 'The Association is developing a detailed response to the discussion paper that will further the process ofrationalisation.
'The Volunteer Coast Guard is consulting with its membership to determine the
contents of that response and the best way forward. It is happy to take part in the ongoing debate about how best to rationalise resources necessary to guarantee that the important duties, guaranteeing safety of life at sea, which Association members carry out with enthusiasm and professionalism, are continued.'
Mr Robards stressed that, for his members, the safety of life at sea and on the inland waterways of NSW was the over-riding priority. 'In addition, our members see a continuation of its central role in education, particularly boating safety education, as a necessary adjunct to our rescue services.
'Like Minister Tripodi, we have as a paramount concern the benefit of the boating public. That's why our volunteers are on the water and manning radio bases, up and down the coast, at their own expense.'
In the light of the government's commitment to marine rescue, the Coast Guard will talk to Minister Tripodi, and to Emergency Services Minister Nathan Rees, on the government's commitment. 'In particular, it believes that a greater annual budgetary allocation than envisaged by the Minister's statement would assist in the continued operation at the highest level of volunteer marine rescue in NSW.'
More at www.coastguard.com.au
by AVCG 
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Gordon Park, QLD
