The decision to closer align the SES with the fire service was made just prior to the budget.

The fire service’s corporate plan, signed in May, includes no mention of the new arrangement.

Currently the SES reports to the Police Commissioner, however, it’s felt there is more commonality with the fire service.

Police and Emergency Service Minister Rene Hidding said the new arrangement was well supported by the emergency services community.

However, of the $2.4 million taken to run the SES only about $400,000 will be transferred from Tasmania Police to the fire service.

‘‘The fire service is delighted with the policy and will find a way to absorb as much [of the cost] as possible until they cannot,’’ Mr Hidding said in estimates.

‘‘At which point they will put their hand up, and no doubt then there would be possibly a partial adjustment of the rate levy currently in place.’’

Opposition police spokesman David Llewellyn accused the government of introducing a new tax.

Mr Hidding replied it was a levy.

‘‘ I cannot rule out anything in out-years for that levy, but for now it is important that this budget moves the SES to now report through the Chief Fire Officer,’’ he said.

‘‘The Tasmania Fire Service is confident it can absorb the impact of the SES coming on board through the facility of corporate services review and other in-house methodologies.’’

Yesterday, Mr Hidding clarified this to say there were ‘‘no plans to increase the levy as a result of the change in reporting lines’’.

The department is being asked to make $7.5 million in spending cuts this year, which will be achieved through the pay pause and a yet completed corporate services review.

There are 165 people employed in the department’s corporate services which has a $12 million budget.

SES director Andrew Lea said the closer collaboration with the fire service would be beneficial.

‘‘It has not been a secret that there are closer alignments, particularly because both of us manage large volunteer workforces,’’ he said.

‘‘Recently I returned from a road trip where we discussed this change face to face and without exception everyone is pretty positive about this.’’