AUSCORPS: Time for an official army of volunteers

Adam says:

06:20am | 04/02/11

This is symptomatic of all that is wrong with society in the better times between disasters. I will volunteer/help IF there’s something in it for me. We have allowed ourselves to be viewed and treated as a comoditiy not a citizen and giving some students a $2000 max discount won’t change that mindset.

Huey says:

06:23am | 04/02/11

Volunteer numbers are falling because it costs more and more time and money to be a volunteer. Regulations require training and accreditation for a lot of community volunteers now. Our biggest loss of volunteers occurred after we got a paid full time co-ordinator! On the ROSTER? better give 3 days notice. Can’t just ring Marge to fill in etc.  $10 an hour credit on HECS debt is a low paid worker. May as well get a heap of 3rd world labour and put them up in containers at community centres. Seems to work for the plastering industry.

TChong says:

06:41am | 04/02/11

Poor Mitch.
You lifted the idea from Ms. Savva,and proposed the idea in 2004 ?
So why didnt Howard, Costello, Abbott take it up?
The LNP and its chief clown Abbott , have behaved in the most appalling, opportunistic way over the recent disasters.
The lowest point is Abbott begging for money, to help stop others recieving aid.
Scum bag actions from a politician whos single trick is to promote hate against snyone recieving anything.
He holds his breath, and chucks a tanty.
I can hardly wait to see Abbott and all the other LNP reptiles go door knocking in the lead up to the QLD polls.
Maybe he can stage an Anti Levy rally in a phone box in Toowomba

grumpy old man says:

07:28am | 04/02/11

if you get remunerated for it, it ain’t volunteer work!

Sarah says:

08:31am | 04/02/11

“These volunteers are a testament to the Australian spirit of generosity and mateship.”
No they’re not. Helping out people in trouble is not “australian” and nothing to do with “mateship,” all people in all countries do this, we just pretend that we’re special.

You need to talk to Tony Abbott Mitch, he’s an active volunteer and might give you a few pointers about the concept of volunteerism.
You might also read this article from another paper today: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/nonprofits-lose-sight-of-volunteer-heritage-20110203-1afbi.html

SP says:

08:33am | 04/02/11

@BT I don’t know what Uni you went to, but 40 hours/week study? Not. I had plenty of time for a three night per week job, sports teams, partying AND volunteering. And yes, I graduated and got a great job.

AdamC says:

08:41am | 04/02/11

Why smear a layer of government bureaucracy over the well-intentioned altruism of Australian volunteers?

This is a terrible idea. Let the various volunteer organisations keep doing their excellent work without Federal interference.

rodney allsworth says:

10:03am | 04/02/11

methinks the author of this is locked into economic reasos why this type of organizing would be of help to individuals and the society, it would have been good to read of somthing that might do the lessor of society some good to be involved in such a scheme, for instance we have far to many peole in our jails yet there are many more who should be in jail, but because of the govts costs and prison capacity to lock them all up we have an unsatisfactory system where courts are handing out stupid sentancing to people who have crosse the acceptable lines of the law, why not set up a system where these self-same people get to earn their way back into society and enable society to see for themselves the real possibility of a good rehabilltaion system, of course the civil rights lobbys would disagree, they always do, of course some would say it would cost to much, they always do, some would not want any change ,they always do, and politicians would of course complain about the costs, but costs already enormas as things currently stand.etc etc. then of course the convicted woud perhaps complain they were not getting the hotel accomadation style holiday they get at present, and would likely form some form of union to push for an above award wages if they actually had to work,hmmn, well we of course could always go back to option 1, which is and has always thus far been,-DO NOTHING-. hope someone gets my drift.

rod   qld

Steve says:

10:10am | 04/02/11

Priority number one.
Stop sending our young soldiers to Afghanistan, we need them here to rebuild our country and be safe .

Luke says:

10:14am | 04/02/11

Well if Uni Students have the time on their hands to march down the centre of Sydney with every lame issue then they have the time to help out Australia instead of attacking Israel in their stupid protests.

Ford Prefect says:

10:16am | 04/02/11

I’m volunteer with the NSW SES. I give me time freely, but I get a lot in return - I meet some terrific people and the training and experience I get is fantastic. My experience within the service tends to suggest most would agree with me.

What I would not want to see, is some being remunerated (say those with HECS debts) and others not. All volunteers in an organisation such as ours should be treated equally.

It is a silly idea and one that should not be further considered.

James says:

10:25am | 04/02/11

Good idea as long as it actually adds to the whole effort and doesn’t merely add another layer of beaucracy.  In fact a better idea would be to first rationalise the current system.

Catmomma says:

10:31am | 04/02/11

Then, under a Liberal Coalition government HECS goes up again and the students end up doing their ‘Volunteering’ for nothing.  While also, yet again, making it harder for kids from poor families to get a tertiary education because they will be ‘Volunteering’, and working 3 part-time jobs to have enough to live and study on.
  No way,  no how, Mitch.

Parky says:

10:53am | 04/02/11

We already have volunteers, making them an “official corps” kind of takes away the whole spirit of it? What happens if you go AWOL? will you be punished? personally I think every school leaver should do a year of national service OR one year rural service, paid, we’re becoming a nation of tech-dependent fatties

Rob says:

10:58am | 04/02/11

Does anybody remember when Universities in Australia had really comprehensive student activities and involvement programs which encouraged student volunteerism?

Many of these students continued on to be engaged in various voluntary capacities within their social and civic lives after they left university, with only a very few of the extremist left or right students continuing into hard-core politics.

Unfortunately the Governement of which Senator Fifield was a part destroyed so many of these programs when funding disappeared as a result of the banning of compulsory amenities fees being charged by Australian universities.

Gregg says:

11:16am | 04/02/11

Very typically, the usual aspiring politicians or political commentators are popping their critical heads up along political lines as usual without giving the topic at hand any considerable thought.

Sure there are always going to be difficulties with how something like this should be structured or how it should work and like anything new there can be teething problems.
The return on the investment would be just a guess but then we have that we all sort of government programs anyway and aside from the NBN being of any use to help run this, I’d hazard a guess and say if it was put up there as part of our national education curriculum, Julia would have no opposition whatsoever.

And perhaps that is where we ought to start, back to yard duty in cleaning up the schoolyard and extending that and there are schools regularly featured on some state TV programs in regard to development work within school grounds.
Could it be as students get a bit older and more capable they have a community project to get involved in and not only physically take part but do some research all aspects of the what, why and how of needs, management and financing.
It may just generate more volunteering without the payment.

Greg says:

11:30am | 04/02/11

Is this because many feel they got screwed by gillard who is now taxing the people who gave so much of their time to clean up Brisbane

Josie says:

11:39am | 04/02/11

In light of Queenslands recent events, what we should do is a national council approach to these situations. Each council should have a list of recommended emergency items for people to read and acquire. Tents, cleaning equipment, etc. Then community consultation on this issue for the citizens to imput how each community will proceed at times of emergencies, chaired by existing expert professional and volunteer organizations. Queensland has set the example of crisis co-operative collaboration, so a universal, national approach will further cement the Australian cultural practice of hooking in and helping out a mate. Could some politican with a brain cell please follow up this suggestion as they will gain leverage at voting time and we will actually get a functional support system. And some good can come out of the horror.

nossy says:

11:43am | 04/02/11

I have to say Mitch that Liberal Lord Mayor of Brisbane Campbell Newman covered himself in glory during the recent floods - a Churchillian performance - he was everywhere directing operations and must be soundly applauded - perhaps a furure PM ?

Maree says:

11:52am | 04/02/11

Isn’t it called the SES. Maybe we just need to encourage more people to join that instead of starting a new one. The SES does a great job…

Jane says:

11:55am | 04/02/11

We already have a government funded Civilian Corp, its called teh SES & the RFS/CFA. After WW2 they were called “Domestic defence” and where renamed years ago to their current titles.

The difference between the original and the new is we dont get paid anything for doing it, not even a tax deduction. We all do it because its the right thing to do.

notSue says:

12:03pm | 04/02/11

Nope, don’t like the idea at all. It’s against the spirit of volunteerism, as others have pointed out.  The main reason why volunteer numbers are falling is because of time-poverty in this country.

I agree with BT that many students barely have enough time to scratch themselves, busy as they are with work/study/home obligations, let alone imposing another obligation on them for a pittance. However, I disagree with his attitude towards Boomers. It’s mainly Boomers who provide the volunteer force in this country now, so he can get off his high horse and lose the chip on his shoulder on that score. (Forgive mixed metaphors, but they’re apt).

How to solve the problem is tough, but it was gratifying to see so many of the younger gen helping out in times of real need. The spirit lives, many people just need more time to do it regualrly. Maybe adding an extra couple of hours to the day will help? (she says, facetiously)

Jack says:

12:04pm | 04/02/11

“These volunteers are a testament to the Australian spirit of generosity and mateship.”

Volunteering and generosity is brought forth from all around the world in times of need and woe, they are not just limited to Australians. Get off the nationalistic high horse. The bogans lap it up and look at what that causes.

Christopher Witt says:

01:48pm | 04/02/11

National Youth Service is a topic whose time has come. Australian is the only OECD country without a NYS program. In years past, young men were drafted into the Army. Most hated this, but later were appreciative of the formative experiences which served them well in life. The debate now needs to shift to things like a NYS structure: is it residential, where participants live away from home? Or non-residential, where they commute daily? Should it be mandatory or voluntary? What vocational skills development results should be prioritised? The AmeriCorp program, the domestic NYS scheme in the US has been a huge success. This comes on the heals of the Peace Corp, established in 1961 under President Kennedy. No doubt our young people need to better appreciate the nation they will inherit - built by many generations before. And we need the help at many levels in the community. It can begin as a pilot program, and work to refine the elements before any expansion. I can offer multiple reports on various NYS schemes from around the world that can suggest successful approaches, and lessons learnt. I have been a Global Board member of the International Association of National Youth Services since 2004, and would be happy to assist. But I admit that PM Rudd was less than committed after I briefed him in 2008, and his Minister for Youth at the time, Kate Ellis, could not manage her diary well enough to follow up our good work to bring such a pilot to Australia. It has been dead in the water since 2008, I am sorry to report. We need some political champions willing to work on a consensus program to get started. NYS is a long term national commitment - it should not be kicked around like a footy for political point scoring. A bi partisan approach is needed.

Jack says:

02:44pm | 04/02/11

So surely all of you who are criticising this idea on the grounds that it goes against the true nature of volunteerism must also be against the flood levy as it is the exact same principal…oh wait

Sean Barker says:

02:55pm | 04/02/11

The idea in itself has merit but the concept of students completing additional work outside of their studies, and often part-time jobs, ” have a great responsibility to build and contribute to the community.”

How much did your education cost you Mr Fifield? Oh…that’s right, you went to uni in the 1980s so you didnt pay a single red CENT. It was under YOUR party that HECS went up an average of 40% in 1996, and then a further 25% in 2005.

It’s pretty rich (excuse the pun) to young people barely scraping by that they should feel grateful to work off their HECS debt of tens of thousands of dollars in many cases, when you yourself paid absolutely NOTHING for your degree.

Michael McMahon says:

03:02pm | 04/02/11

And when there is no natural disasters, the can walk around in “brown shirts” and break up other Politcal Parties and Union Groups activities thats the government don’t like. Gee this is reminding me of something!

Darren says:

03:17pm | 04/02/11

Send the long term unemployed up there.. “you want your dole payment?, your going to have to work for it this month!” and if it’s coordinated by the army a few of them might find out they don’t mind the military life, and think of it as a career..
just my 2 cents worth..

Sean Barker says:

03:31pm | 04/02/11

Hey Mr Fifield, here’s an idea - since you think people who had the opportunity to a tertiary education have such a responsibility to give back to the community in this way, how about you put your money where your mouth is.

Since you didn’t have to pay anything for your education at Sydney University, let’s impose a retrospective HECS debt for your degree, calculated at the rates current students pay, and you can lead by example and work it off $10 an hour through hard labour.

Sound good?

Daniel says:

04:49pm | 04/02/11

Volunteering is fine but if the Liberals are trying to use this as some sort of tool for welfare recipients this is not on. This is what it all sounds like so I’m against it. If people want to assist they can but in no way they should ever be forced to.

A Bloke says:

07:09pm | 04/02/11

To the Liberal stooge who wrote this, NEVER EVER say anything about anyone who waded through anything you never went near.  How dare you try to “drag someones name through the mud” for cheap political gain.  Go back to your comfy hidy hole in Canberra and let the volutneers do the work, as usual…  Your idea of ‘using’ this situation to garner cheap labour is typical right wing clap trap.  Rubbish…  You miss the point as always, the people give to the people because they see the need, not to a government as they see a want.  When you spend years in government as the libs did, spend nothing, allow house prices to soar through various policies, then wonder why people can’t voluntee?  They are busy working their backsides off to pay for everything.  Still when it counts they get out and help.

hardworker says:

09:00pm | 04/02/11

We have a lot of spare people to do any clean up work and they are already being paid by the Goverment every two weeks to do nothing THEY are call people on the DOLE. Why can’t they be sent to the area where they are needed and no work no money

Daemon says:

09:20pm | 04/02/11

I will never work out what it is that has a fool like this getting up in the morning going after the punch and making comments like that, having no understanding or idea at all what those of us among the intelligentsia see as being important with our morning coffee.

Firstly, and possibly most importantly who the hell is he? He did a maiden in the Senate in 2004, and by the look of him, wouldn’t know what a hard days work looked like, especially knee-deep in mud and steam in Brisbane or far North Queensland, over the past couple of weeks.

Perhaps the Liberal party needs to set up a school where aspiring idiots can go to practice writing letters to the editor, which actually provide some form of support or perhaps a good idea here and there. I don’t even know why I’m wasting my time replying, since it’s highly unlikely a liberal like him would have read the punch, and certainly not on a regular basis.

On another note, I just realised that as a liberal he looks a lot like a Jehovah’s Witness. I’m going back to bed.

Pilby says:

09:27pm | 04/02/11

Just another half hearted attempt to start a work for the dole scheme as far as I can see.

Timbo says:

09:29pm | 04/02/11

A huge number of volunteer fire fighters in southern states have not been deployed to assist.I know many are willing and able to go up to assist. This isnt meant to be a critical statement,Defence and interstate and other emergency services workers have been deployed to assist. There are many other Australians ready an d willing to assist if called up. Perhaps we should be looking to upskill our existing volunteer force of firefigthers in such skills as urban search and rescue.

Pete says:

11:28pm | 04/02/11

I am all for a volunteer system for times of need. It shouldn’t be targetted at anyone wishing to reduce their HECS debt or anything else for that matter, but just a simple way of registering your interest and capabilities (ie: no use wasting a doctor cleaning street gutters if we need help with sick kids) in helping out when needed.

I am sure there are many out there who want to jump in and lend a hand (physically speaking), but have no idea on where to start. A volunteer registration scheme and process would bring in and organise this untapped resource. Organising the people capabilities it is the biggest challenge and this would lead the way to making this more effective.

Offering discounts to people doesn’t drive the behaviour required to get over these disasters in the most efficient manner, but a system where people who really give a rats can register would definetly drive the right behaviour to get things moving.

The left and right ideology that is constantly being driven is pretty sad really…..in this instance it is Abbott and Co. and other times it has been the Labor Party. Get over yourselves…..this is about the right thing and not your next election!!

Ben says:

11:56am | 05/02/11

By the time all the volunteers have been fully trained to bureaucratic Work Place Health and Safety, uniforms and new Government Department/s set up, like SES / RFS (that’s CFA in Queensland speak) the country will be broke. Let’s save a bob and use the Aussie spirit like we always have.  We’re a big enough Nanny State as it is.

Minerva says:

01:08pm | 05/02/11

“Harness that spirit right through the year” - huh? I have spent the past ten years volunteering in committee positions and the State Emgerncy Service (SES which many people seem unaware is almost entirely voluntary) with no time of for good behaviour. I certainly didn’t only put my volunteering hat only for national emergencies.
What people need in order to volunteer is not funding or incentives but flexibility. For profit organisations could do better to realise the importance of volunteering and allow staff time off for this instead of the dollar being the only bottom line.
And why target only students? Aren’t they some of the most time-challenged people? It’s been a long time since I was at Uni btu students are still expected to attend lectures and submit assignments right? I wouldn’t want anyone coaching my kids or assisting the elderly that were only there because they were ‘paid’ to be. That’s not volunteering.
Yes there’s a vast resource of retirees (ever dwindling given the GFC) but many of these are limited physically. Although I’m sure a large section of them already do volunteer work (while juggling child-care and care of elderly relatives).
It seems to me that the people with the most time available are the cashed-up singletons who spend most of their evenings down the pub getting smashed off their face and starting fights. Why not target them instead?

Hassan says:

02:58pm | 05/02/11

Dear blog author.  I believe the whole point in volunteering has been missed.  Old mate Gillard and buddy Bligh have been waxing lyrical about the australian spirit etc etc etc. 

The beauty of volunteering and what happened recently in Queensland - was that each person came of their own accord.  They could have been somewhere else doing something probably a lot cleaner, something that might have earned them money.  But no, here they were, working side by side to help people that had lost friends, years of work (thousands of dollars in physical posessions).  They didn’t expect to get anything for it, or even more than a personal thank you at the end.  That is volunteering.

What you have written about sounds like work for the dole.

Paul Flintoft says:

03:05pm | 05/02/11

The soldier shoud be wearing gloves.  Apart from that the idea is great. Perhasp they could retired Army Generals, such as HGeneral Peter Cosgrove to establish it as you need order and discipline.

allan says:

04:00pm | 05/02/11

a volunteer is just that.what you a really talking about is conscription isnt it???

Mary Monica Roche says:

04:14pm | 05/02/11

Your comment:
Auscorps should be used as an army to wipe out the Liberal Party and the Nationals altogether

Tim says:

06:15pm | 05/02/11

We have an army of Volunteers. They comprise the people of the Volunteer fire services, marine rescue, SES, Red Cross and similar groups. These people give so much and are always on To suggest there is a need for another “national” volunteer emergency service fails to recognise the wonderful service we get from our existing Volunteers.

Kate says:

07:01pm | 05/02/11

As a current uni student, I see a couple of problems with this plan.

Firstly, despite the common stereotype that uni is a massive bludge full of parties and socialising - this isn’t true for everyone. Yes, you can probably get by attending the absolute minimum of lectures and starting your work the day before it is due. But this isn’t going to get you the good marks that you need if you want to do honours or a Masters degree.
So you have a reasonably heavy workload. Even if your contact hours are lower (like in Arts degrees), this is usually supplemented by a fair bit of reading. Again, this is optional, but if you want to do well, you do it.

Some uni students (lucky bastards) live at home and their parents provide everything for them. A lot of us don’t. So we need a job to pay for rent, food, bills etc.- but this job has to fit in around our uni time. So we’re studying full time and working part time.
We also need free time - because everyone deserves time to hang out with their friends and family. Being in our early 20s and studying doesn’t mean we deserve ‘me’ time any less than someone with a full-time job and a family.
I am having difficulty seeing where volunteer work would fit in to this timetable, at least in a quantity large enough to make a HECS discount worth it.

Volunteer work is also difficult to organise at the best of times. I’ve tried to find volunteer placements during my uni holidays, but they all seem to want a dedicated time commitment ‘every Monday-Wednesday-Friday’ or similar. This clashes with my job, so it’s a no go. There don’t seem to be many positions with suitable hours. 

Finally, volunteering is really only worth it if you want to be there. Personally, I couldn’t stomach working at an aged care home and you couldn’t promise me enough money or HECS concessions to do that. But I volunteer at a local footy club on Saturdays, because I love it and it’s something I’d gladly give up my free time to do. Nobody is going to want a bunch of volunteers gritting their teeth as they work and barely getting through it.

TONY GLYNN says:

08:39am | 06/02/11

The stoicism will turn to anger when bank computers automatically foreclose on storm and flood victims who miss three mortgaGe payments.  Bugger!

Hooble says:

10:02am | 06/02/11

Yeah the Military are doing a good ,especially when shallow abbott is not under foot getting his picture taken with them.

Monique says:

11:22am | 06/02/11

I think that the flood levy has robbed people in trauma of the chance of having volunteers turn up to help. Ditto the charities - they will miss out on donations. Many people have been saying that if they are forced to pay a levy for the sort of natural disasters we have been facing, that they will not feel obliged to either donate or volunteer anymore. So before there is any talk of a national register of volunteers, let’s clear up the levy first, then maybe people will be inclined to volunteer.

Been There says:

12:43pm | 06/02/11

Volunteers???? Army?????? If I remember correctly at my Army Reserve enlistment in the the 90’s, the Army Reserve was based on volunteers. The Reserves is a great organisation and National Service for the Reserves is even better. Instead of setting up another scheme that employs more beaurucrats, how about encouraging service in already established organisations? And for those who think that joining the Armed Forces is all about going to war, do some reserch. Conscription was last used in WW1 and National Service was last used in Vietnam. Today if you want to go to war, you join the SAS, Commando’s etc. Only Reservists who volunteer go to war.

bananabender says:

07:10pm | 06/02/11

re: Kate says: 07:01pm | 05/02/11

What a load of old cobblers. Unless you are doing engineering or medicine university is a total bludge. I have studied arts and science and have two masters degrees. You can easily get a credit average by studying a total of 15-20 hours a week. 

In fact it wouldn’t be hard to do an arts degree in six months if the university would allow it.

Michael J. says:

12:51am | 07/02/11

Mitch, I generally support the LNP, though it is fond of wasteful vote buying I think it is usually more respectful of taxpayers and individual freedom than Labor.

In this case I think you’ve come up with a romantic but rather terrible idea.

As others have said we have a SES, CFA and hundreds of community organisations people voluntarily fund and work for. We don’t need a mandated ‘volunteer corps’ because the very beauty of volunteer work is that it appears to peoples interests and money is not needed to encourage participation.

Furthermore I feel a volunteer corps is collectivist, it’s the antithesis of freedom and reminds me of something you’d find in former USSR and not in Oz.

Finally much like every project the government runs it will be poorly administered and a waste of money. This is not a knock on the public service but fact is even putting aside the USSR feel about things it is impossible for bureaucrats in a state/federal capital to efficiently allocate funds and human capital under a scheme like you propose.

Stick to lowering taxes and spending, protecting workers from union bullying and removing the government from private industry and our personal lives please.

Sandra Dale Boughton says:

08:08am | 07/02/11

I’d be one of those who would have volunteered my time and skills happily (as an ex nurse and ex social worker) to help those caught in the recent natural disasters. However, during my own recent misfortunes, where I lost two houses of belongings as well as members of my family (a child now dead), not one Australian came to help me. Not one. And so, I learned that for all my care and compassion towards others, when push comes to shove, you are on your own.  I’ve spent twenty months, day after day, crying at this revelation. The horrible truth about Aussies. So all I can say, to the new generation of volunteers, you do your good works but don’t expect it to be reciprocated when you most need it. Expect to be let down in the future, when it really, really matters. In the end, I have seen the truth that lurks behind the facade of mateship. They just use people like us. Use us up then chuck us on the rubbish heap. Broken, sad and bitter.

JOdie Hanson says:

08:39am | 07/02/11

Bulldust!  I am with Shane.  Those who are true community minded and think of others before themselves, have already found the joy in volunteering. I am part of the SES and it takes time and commitment.  too many people think they can just turn up and get the glory. For those that want to volunteer they find a way.  I am sick of the government giving to those who don’t deserve to incentivise them to help those that do.  We are a nation of volunteers because many of us care about people, not because we get paid for it or because we are told to.  Lets face it…..religious or self development no matter the reason, those that volunteer know the true value of helping a friend in need.  My SES unit was ready willing and able to go to Northern NSW and QLD for rescure, and/or rebuilt but were “apparently not needed”, perhaps better funding for those organisations that already volunteer would be more worthwhile that paying those that dont’.

Harquebus says:

10:56am | 07/02/11

Volunteers are proof of governments failure. I think all volunteers should stop and then resume when they get paid for their services.

Brad says:

11:37am | 07/02/11

The author should lead by example.

meinrosebud says:

01:03pm | 07/02/11

Keven Rudd’s Dictionary Entry:

Volunteer, (noun) pronounced Slave…

NEil says:

02:19pm | 07/02/11

Can I get a $10 / hour tax debt rebate if I train a local under 10 cricket team?  Yey!

Ross says:

05:26pm | 07/02/11

And always there is one volunteer organisation that is forgotten during these initiatives, and yet it is one of the important in any disaster situation, that is of course St John Ambulance. The organisation is always one of the first on the field in bushfires, alongside the RFS/CFA taking the slack off the Ambulance services, but they never get any of the recognition the SES or RFS get during these times. Maybe if these initiatives actually focused on all volunteer organisations that are crucial for disaster support, then it would be more popular

Jesus says:

12:05pm | 08/02/11

I am a 10 year member of the NSW SES. I have a number of friends who are long-serving volunteers with the NSW RFS, VRA, among others.

We already have a “Corp Of Volunteers”, in these various services which already exist. How about, instead of talking about paying people to be involved, you take that money and invest it in providing these existing services with better equipment and further training?

Creating a new Service would be a mistake - it would detract attention and involvement from our existing services, money which could be better spent elsewhere, and would require a re-jigging of the combat agency allocations which are already (at least in NSW) quite clear and comprehensive.

Silly idea. Don’t do it.

Volunteer says:

12:35pm | 08/02/11

Basically, some idiot in the political arena has identified the shortcomings of all the governments lack of support of the existing volunteer organisations.
Well done. The community figured this out years ago.

Matthew says:

12:47pm | 08/02/11

Why would anyone want to do that….? Were not that patriotic to fill up a National Volunteer Corps….The fact is when your growing up in Australia your not taught to be patriotic or love Australia, instead your made to feel guilty about your past and history (even made to apologise) and for some people made to feel ashamed that your a white Australian…..and when your older all you hear is it’s great that where so muticultural and it’s appluaded that we all practice our own thing separate, unlike America we do not have one culture that binds us together but rather several cultures that keeps us apart….so why would anyone consider joining such a thing….we are to divided for that.

Rod says:

12:48pm | 08/02/11

Students would be gaining financially by this deed of ‘volunteering’ to pay of their HECS debt, therefore they aren’t really volunteers.

don says:

01:58pm | 08/02/11

maybe we should form a “national gaurd”  of volunteers that can be trained like the army reserves in basic first aid, traffic management, tree felling/clearing, basic home handyperson etc skills. Upkeep these skills say one day every month or two and then mobilise whenever there is a national emergency/catastrophy