Daniel Andrews makes sure volunteers are the losers

Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Brad Battin

Today the Andrews Labor Government stopped the Liberal-National Coalition delivering early on their promise to protect Victorian firefighters’ rights in legislation.

Daniel Andrews and his government continued their war against volunteer firefighters by voting against the Liberal-Nationals Protecting Volunteer Firefighters Bill – placing the bills future in doubt.

The Country Fire Authority Amendment (Protecting Volunteer Firefighters) Bill 2016 introduced by the Liberal-National Coalition sought to protect the role of volunteer firefighters as set out in the Volunteer Charter.

This legislation was intended to complement the Federal Governments amendments to the Fair Work Act in protecting the role of volunteer firefighters and the power of the Chief Fire Officer.

The amendments to the CFA Act 1958 would have ensured the CFA comply with the Volunteer Charter, while also restricting them from entering any deed, agreement or arrangement to avoid the scrutiny of Commonwealth or Victorian law.

This would have ended the United Firefighters Union’s (UFU) attempt to coerce the CFA to commit them to implementing discriminatory clauses.

Quotes attributable to Brad Battin MP, Shadow Minister for Emergency Services:

“Daniel Andrews has remained stubborn in campaigning for his union mates, disadvantaging not only Volunteers, but the safety of families they protect.

“This legislation will force the hand of a complicit Premier too afraid to stand up to his Union mates.

“The Liberal Nationals made a promise to protect Victorian volunteer firefighters and we will continue to do all that is possible to deliver on that promise.”

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