Labor’s fire review a payback for union bosses

Brad Battin, Shadow Emergency Services Minister

Background:

In the lead up to the state election, the Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria board released a statement warning of “grave and disastrous consequences for CFA” of a Labor approach to control of volunteer firefighters.

In their open letter of 26 November 2014, the VFBV board said:

“Don’t be fooled, the plan announced by Labor is not about improving community safety in Victoria, the detail included in their announcement is about giving the control of CFA to a union.”

CFA volunteers are concerned that this review is part of Labor’s plan to re-establish a union-dominated CFA/MFB Board of Reference, which will hugely reduce the CFA’s say over the allocation of funding, staffing and recruiting.

Comments from Brad Battin, Shadow Emergency Services Minister:

“This review supports the fears of CFA volunteers that Daniel Andrews wants the heavy hands of unions controlling the work of our firefighters.

“The fact that Labor has appointed a former union boss to head up this review only serves to heighten the concerns that this review is all about Daniel Andrews repaying his union mates.”

Media: Michelle Zydower  0423 028 564   michelle.zydower@opposition.vic.gov.au