October 11, 2016
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed the passage of legislation through the Senate to protect the rights of Country Fire Authority volunteers.
Mr Chester said the Coalition had delivered on an election commitment by passing the Fair Work Amendment (Respect for Emergency Services Volunteers) Bill 2016, with the support of nine Crossbench Senators.
Labor, the Greens and Tasmanian Senator Jackie Lambie did not support the Bill.
Mr Chester said the Andrews Labor Government in Victoria had tried to force the CFA into signing an enterprise agreement that would diminish the role of CFA’s volunteers and undermine the CFA’s volunteer based model.
“The Federal Government’s decision to enact legislation was not taken lightly, but it was necessary after Daniel Andrews refused to listen to the experts and volunteers,” Mr Chester said.
“Clauses in the proposed agreement that would allow the United Firefighters Union to hamper the CFA’s management of its volunteers were untenable.
“These proposed clauses also undermined the ability of volunteers and paid staff to work together effectively, creating uncertainty for all of those involved in the CFA.”
Mr Chester said CFA volunteers had the support of the Coalition Government throughout the ordeal, which had seen Andrews Government Minister Jane Garrett and several senior firefighters resign.
“The CFA Chief Executive and Chief Officer resigned, along with Labor’s Emergency Services Minister, Jane Garrett. The CFA Board refused to approve the agreement, so were sacked. The MFB Deputy Chief Fire Office has also now left,” Mr Chester said.
“Premier Andrews should listen to the legitimate concerns of the CFA and put a stop to this union takeover by stealth.”