Parliament’s Upper House Backs CFA

Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Brad Battin

The Victorian Parliament’s Upper House has this afternoon done what Daniel Andrews has refused to and come out in support of the CFA and its 60,000 volunteers.
The Legislative Council has today passed the Liberal Nationals’ motion that the 60,000 CFA volunteers in Victoria be supported in their call to keep CFA operations under the control of the CFA CEO and Chief Fire Officer.
The Liberal Nationals’ motion also noted:
(1)      the support of 60,000 volunteers asking the Premier to refuse to agree to the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement sought by the United Firefighters Union (UFU);
(2)      the review by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission finding the proposed EBA discriminates against women and people with a disability;
(3)      the comments of the CFA Board that the proposed EBA would be unworkable and would remove authority from the CEO and CFO; and
(4)      the comments of the Minister for Emergency Services that Clause 21 of the proposed EBA, giving veto powers to the UFU, has been a disaster for the Metropolitan Fire Brigade and expressing her concern over the proposal to require a minimum of seven paid firefighters on a fire ground.
The Liberal Nationals stand with the CFA and its 60,000 volunteers.
Daniel Andrews must now listen to the Parliament, 60,000 CFA volunteers, the CFA board, and his own Emergency Services Minister and end this war he has declared on the CFA.

Media contact:      James Duncan         0457 758 018     james.duncan@opposition.vic.gov.au