In Question Time and in the media yesterday, the Government sought to distract and deceive when asked about their devastating cuts to the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service had their budget slashed by $121 million in FY16/17 and FY17/18. There was also an $80 million cut this year to the Department that oversees NPWS, the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

These cuts have included a reduction in National Parks firefighting staff.

This is not good enough, the safety of communities (such as ours)close to National Parks must come first.