Gagged CFS members back calls for Select Committee into firefighting regulations
The minister had said he knew nothing about CFS members being barred from speaking out about concerns. Despite an investigation starting six weeks ago.
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The Emergency Services Minister has backflipped on claims he didn’t know CFS members were being gagged from speaking out about concerns in the organisation – instead saying he launched an investigation into disciplinary regulations six weeks ago.
Opposition emergency services spokesman Adrian Pederick has questioned claims made by Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs after revelations the government had already been investigating “disciplinary regulations” when The Advertiser revealed CFS members had been gagged from speaking out.
“He said he launched an investigation six weeks ago, but do we know that’s correct?” Mr Pederick asked.
“Why didn’t he tell parliament that he’d launched it so he could be on the front foot?
“We’ve got volunteers hurting, and I hope to see many people come out under the protection of parliamentary privilege if this Select Committee gets through.”
The opposition on Thursday announced they would be pushing for a Select Committee into the CFS, with particular reference to assess support mechanisms available to volunteers, examining the procedures and timeliness into investigations and examining adequacy of facilities.
Opposition spokesman for regional South Australia Ben Hood moved the notice of motion, which he said would give volunteers a safe space to speak publicly without fears of suspension.
“Our volunteer firefighters put their lives on the line for the benefit and safety of our community – they are our husbands, wives, sons, daughters and friends,” Mr Hood said.
“The Select Committee will provide a transparent mechanism to ensure our volunteers have the support they need and I hope that at the end of this process, more volunteers will be encouraged to join the CFS.”
Mr Pederick said he hoped the Labor government would support the motion and encourage “open dialogue” about concerns.
“If they want to be true to their word they should welcome open dialogue about the concerns,” he said.
“We need the CFS for everything they do, especially coming into fire danger season, and it’s simply outrageous that this is happening.
“If the Minster is serious about helping them, he and the Labor Party should embrace this Select Committee process with open arms.”
A former CFS employee who was suspended for 11 months without allegations told The Advertiser they would welcome the opportunity to speak openly about their experience without fear of retaliation.
“I feel like the comments from the Minister about already investigating the disciplinary regulations wasn’t quite accurate,” the former staffer said.
“If they had already been looking into it, more progress would have been made and we wouldn’t be having the kind of uproar we’re seeing now.
“They’ve been ignoring the concerns for so long, and now they’re going up in smoke they’re trying to find a way to cover themselves.
“This opportunity for CFS members to speak frankly is so needed, and I hope the government can see that too.”
A spokesman for the government could not confirm whether they would be backing the Select Committee.
“The government will consider its position on the select committee proposed by the opposition,” he said.
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