Flames rekindle in firefighter fight

Bitter political debate over how Victoria manages its firefighters has again spilled into the regions, including the Wimmera-mallee.

The government introduced a Bill into State Parliament last week, with a claim it would provide ‘much-needed and overdue’ reforms to the state’s fire services.

It backed up the claims, saying the reform would ‘deliver modernised governance and organisational structures that meet the demands of 21st century Victoria’.

But the Firefighters’ Presumptive Rights Compensation and Fire Services Legislation Amendment (Reform) Bill 2019 was met with Opposition condemnation.

Member for Lowan Emma Kealy was among people fiercely critical of the move.

She said the government had confirmed fears of regional volunteers by reintroducing ‘divisive and flawed legislation to smash up the Country Fire Authority’.

She condemned the move, accusing Premier Daniel Andrews of waiting until after the Federal Election before introducing the bill.

“This was a terribly sad day for CFA volunteers who have committed years to an organisation in service to the community,” she said.

“Mr Andrews is hell bent on tearing the CFA apart to give the United Firefighters Union control of the organisation.”

The government, in explaining its position, outlined in a prepared statement that Victoria had the best firefighters in the world – that operated under systems and structures that had not changed since the 1950s and were in need of modernisation.

The government claimed the bill provided presumptive rights to cancer compensation for career

and volunteer firefighters, recognising services they provided, which often required them to work in dangerous conditions.

It added that, administered through Worksafe, the new scheme would apply to individuals who had been firefighters for a specified number of years, depending on the cancer type, and had been diagnosed since June 1, 2016.

But Ms Kealy argued the Bill was bad news for CFA volunteers.

“It means CFA volunteers who get cancer won’t receive compensation unless the UFU also gains control of firefighting operations,” she said.

Police and Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville said the CFA would have protection under law as a volunteer service under the reforms.

She said the state’s 1220 volunteer CFA brigades would be untouched, continuing day-today services as well as providing vital surge capacity during major emergencies.

She also added that CFA volunteers at the state’s 38 integrated stations would be able to remain at the stations if they choose to, co-locating with Fire Rescue Victoria services under altered boundaries.

The new Fire Rescue Victoria would cover Metropolitan Fire Brigade boundaries and meet the needs of metropolitan Melbourne, outer urban areas and larger regional centres across Victoria.

It would also join MFB and career CFA staff from the state’s integrated CFA stations. Firefighting boundaries would alter to reflect population growth across the state.

“We made a commitment at the last election to reform our fire services and ensure our career and volunteer firefighters are supported in keeping the community safe – and that’s exactly what we’re delivering,” Ms Neville said.