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Emergency Services | June 15, 2016

Local CFA volunteers need your support

The National Member for Lowan Emma Kealy MP joined over 200 CFA volunteers and over 30 vehicles to greet the Premier on his arrival in Ararat this morning and to send a clear message to keep his hands off the CFA.

The forced resignation of Labor Minister Jane Garrett and the sacking of the CFA Board are a new low for Premier Daniel Andrews and his dysfunctional government.

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP has been proud to stand side by side with local volunteers in sending a clear message to the Premier to keep his hands off the CFA.

“The Premier must remember that CFA stands for Country Fire Authority and there is no way that country volunteers want to be run by a Melbourne based union”, Ms Kealy said.

“I thank all our local CFA volunteers who have battled dangerous blazes, attended car accidents, house fires and tragic scenes involving people they love and for sacrificing time with their businesses, family and friends in order to protect our people and property.

“It is a disgrace that the Premier would rather put his union overlords above these valuable and vital volunteers and support handing over of the CFA to the United Firefighters Union (UFU).

“Union control of the CFA would destroy this great volunteer organisation as we know it.

“I have met with local brigades and many CFA volunteers who have all expressed grave concerns and are angered by the Premiers intentions to compromise there very existence.

"No one is against a pay rise for paid staff but volunteers simply will not accept Daniel Andrews' plan to hand control of the CFA to the union.

“I stand by the volunteers of the CFA, and urge the Premier to stop using CFA volunteers as pawns in order to retain UFU support at the next election. Our volunteers deserve much better.

“Daniel Andrews’ actions speak louder than words. He’s a vengeful bully, and Victorians shouldn’t forget this appalling behaviour.

“I urge anyone who supports the invaluable work of the CFA to sign a petition through my website  www.emmakealy.com or phone my office on 5382 0097 and a hardcopy can be posted out,” she said.