News

Emergency Services | June 01, 2016

Labor set to destroy our CFA volunteers

Premier Daniel Andrews is set to sign off on a deal that will give the city-based United Firefighters Union (UFU) unprecedented power to control the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and put all Victorian families at risk.

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP said the UFU is demanding the ability to veto CFA management decisions, a move strongly opposed by the CFA’s management, board and volunteers.

“CFA volunteers that have contacted my office are deeply concerned that unrealistic clauses in this agreement will prevent them from protecting people and property.

“Every single CFA station in the Lowan electorate is 100% volunteer membership. It is volunteers who protect us when we need support. Today they need our support, as Daniel Andrews publicly backs handing control of the CFA to the militant UFU.

“60,000 CFA volunteers selflessly put their safety on the line to protect our communities and they deserve to be treated far better than this,” she said.

With the real possibility of the CFA Board resigning to protect the future of the CFA and Daniel Andrews sidelining his Minister, volunteers are be concerned.

“The Premier is about to force the hand of the CFA and sell out Volunteers to his union mates in an extraordinary payback for assistance at the 2014 election,” Ms Kealy said.

“For a city-based union to be handed the ability to override CFA management decisions is insulting and would be disastrous for our local firefighting service.

“It is horrifying that Daniel Andrews is even considering agreeing to these demands. To send a clear message for the Premier to keep his hands off our CFA, I encourage everyone to sign a petition through my website www.emmakealy.com,” she said.