of course they are not the words used in the air, that is a paraphrase of EXACTLY what goes on, in terms the public can understand.
The unfortunate statement did him no favours. Most of the public aren't quite
that stupid.
As regards the usefulness of ARFF vs. a Tower. As I understand it the regulatory requirement for the introduction of ARFF is based on pax numbers, and the requirement for introduction of a Tower is based on aircraft movements. Presumably Ballina and Newman don't yet have the movements to justify a Tower.
If you don't like it, have the regs changed.