The Miles Government has delivered $27 million for the new Marine Rescue Queensland to keep people safe on the water.

MRQ will bring together the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association (AVCGA) and Volunteer Marine Rescue Association Queensland (VMRAQ) marine rescue units from across Queensland into an integrated and sustainable volunteer marine rescue service.

The funding allocation includes more than $20 million to directly support frontline volunteers with equipment, supplies and rescue resources.

The budget delivers record support for the state’s marine rescue volunteers and services and recognises the contribution of volunteer marine services as an important part of the state’s local community disaster and emergency response.  

On 3 June 2024, MRQ was established as an entity under the QPS with its own budget, legislation and Chief Officer.  

The transition of bringing marine volunteer units to MRQ will now begin in a phased approach from July 2024 and continue onboarding units for the next 12 to 18 months.

The reforms to establish the dedicated MRQ stem from a series of independent reviews into service sustainability.  

Queensland marine rescue volunteers currently undertake approximately 4,000 activations operating across 46 units throughout the state each year and the new service will enhance support at local and regional levels as well as improve protections for volunteers.