QFES complaints process to be reviewed after toxic culture, discrimination claims

The man who blew the whistle on claims of discrimination and a toxic culture in the fire service has labelled a new review into the complaints process as just an internal review in disguise.

Rural Fire Brigades Association Queensland general manager Justin Choveaux. Picture: Supplied

An independent review will be held into the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service complaints process following a scathing letter to the Premier accusing the department of systemic discrimination and toxic workplace culture.

Fire and Disaster Recovery Minister Nikki Boyd on Friday announced the review into QFES’s complaint management would begin next month.

The review will be completed by an external body and examine reporting and management of customer and internal complaints, employee grievances, referred complaints and feedback.

It comes after Rural Fire Brigades Association Queensland general manager Justin Choveaux penned an open letter to Premier Steven Miles last week, urgently requesting an investigation following a series of serious sexual, bullying and harassment claims made to him by QFES staff who he said have “no faith or trust” in the complaints system.

Minister Boyd said the review had been planned for “some time,” but it was now “timely”.

“This has been planned for some time but I think it is timely to have an external and independent review,”she said.

“Queensland’s emergency services staff and volunteers absolutely deserve to feel safe in their workplace, and this review will examine any possible improvements that can be made to ensure this is the case.

“Given staff and volunteers are covered by the Queensland Public Service Code of Conduct and anyone who becomes aware of actions not consistent with the code must report them, I want to make sure we have a rigorous and fit-for-purpose complaints management framework.”

Mr Choveaux slammed the announcement, claiming it was an internal review in disguise and no complainants would come forward unless it was conducted by the Human Rights Commission.

“They’ve chosen who they want to conduct it and the results are only coming to back themselves,” he said.

“This is damage control by a government and a department that don’t want what’s happening to come out.

“This is how cover ups happen.”

He demanded an independent body with legal authority be put in charge of the review so that complainants had a “safe place where people can go and tell their story without fear of victimisation”.

QFES Acting Commissioner Stephen Smith said reviewing the complaints system had already been identified as a “priority for the department” late last year.

“We want to ensure best practice is being applied and that all staff and volunteers are confident in our internal systems and raising any complaints through it,” he said.

“Our current complaints system aims to provide a safe and confidential avenue for potential issues to be raised however, we are always looking to improve and evolve as a department.”

United Firefighters Union general secretary John Oliver also welcomed the review, stating the union does not accept inappropriate behaviour or conduct.

“The union has a strong history of advocating for improvements to the way complaints are managed by employers,” he said.

“Legitimate complaints deserve legitimate inquiry by a robust and fit-for-purpose complaints system within the new Queensland Fire Department, and we will continue to fight for that being the case.”

The review will include one-on-one conversations, workshops, meetings and surveys with both internal and external stakeholders.

It is expected to take six months to complete.