CFA dispute cruels Labor’s federal election chances as MPs turn on Daniel Andrews
BILL Shorten appears to be heading for defeat as Labor MPs turn on Daniel Andrews for cruelling their chances in Victoria by escalating the CFA dispute mid-campaign.
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BILL Shorten appears to be heading for defeat in tomorrow’s election, as Labor MPs turn on Premier Daniel Andrews for cruelling their chances in Victoria by escalating the CFA dispute mid-campaign.
A Galaxy poll taken exclusively for the Herald Sun shows Malcolm Turnbull’s Coalition leading Labor 51-49 per cent on a two-party preferred basis. This represents a swing of 2.5 per cent towards Labor, short of the 4 per cent swing needed for Labor to take government.
In a uniform swing, this would see Labor pick up only five seats across the country. It needs a net gain of 21 seats to oust Mr Turnbull.
The Opposition’s campaign was unravelling on Thursday as Mr Shorten batted away questions about the Labor leadership spill that is automatically triggered after the poll. This could be a serious matter for Mr Shorten in the event of a loss.
And it is now clear that if Labor loses there will be retribution against Mr Andrews. One Victorian MP warned him to “watch his back”.
The Premier’s determination to push through a pay deal giving the United Firefighters Union veto powers over the CFA sparked the resignation or sacking of the CFA board, its CEO, its minister — and, on Thursday, chief fire officer Joe Buffone.
As he resigned, Mr Buffone said he was “absolutely gutted’’ and his role had been compromised.
CFA volunteers are vowing to protest, in uniform, at polling booths in marginal electorates tomorrow.
Polling has shown the dispute has almost certainly killed Labor’s hopes of winning the marginal seats of Dunkley and Corangamite. Bendigo, which Labor holds by just 1.3 per cent, was also looking shaky.
“I think this is one of the most unhelpful interventions from a state premier I have seen in my time in politics,’’ one long-term MP told the Herald Sun. “He has shown a wilful disregard for his federal colleagues.
“I think Mr Andrews should be watching his back.’’
Retiring MP Anna Burke has warned that the CFA dispute could cost Labor seats.
And two other MPs told the Herald Sun of their disappointment at the timing of Mr Andrews’s intervention. One said: “We’ll be making that clear.’’
Sources close to the Opposition Leader said that he was “less than impressed” and “very disappointed” with Mr Andrews’s actions.
Publicly, Mr Shorten also hardened his language.
While criticising the Liberals, who have vowed to introduce legislation to block the union takeover, for politicising the issue, he added: “I would be less than candid if I didn’t say I was incredibly disappointed this issue rolls on and on.’’
There was mounting speculation that prominent Left MP Anthony Albanese — who contested the leadership ballot against Mr Shorten in 2013 — would stand again, and that Chris Bowen, from the NSW Right, would nominate if Mr Shorten were to stand down in the event of an election loss.
One senior Labor Left MP told the Herald Sun Mr Albanese had made no calls and was not canvassing support. “He hasn’t spoken to anyone. Bill’s people are being silly.’’
Another senior Right MP said there were “swings to Labor everywhere’’ and claimed “Albo’s people are doing their best to reduce the number of seats Bill can win”.
Two MPs told the Herald Sun the automatic leadership spill would occur at the first caucus meeting after the election. If there were a challenger, this would result in deputy leader Tanya Plibersek acting as leader for about six weeks.
The leadership issue dogged Mr Shorten on Thursday as he batted off questions about whether ALP Right kingpin Sam Dastyari was canvassing support for Mr Albanese.
Senator Dastyari denied supporting anyone other than Mr Shorten.
Mr Shorten said: “I’m in this election to win it.
“If you want to look at leadership tensions, you have got the gold standard down the road in the Liberal camp.
“Mr Turnbull is talking about unity. That’s ironic; he can’t even unite the Liberal Party,” he said.
5/4 Premier to take this to the people! He would not get 20% public support. But be sure Vic public will not forget. Rise up Victorians
— Jeff Kennett (@jeff_kennett) June 30, 2016
One Victorian Labor MP said on Thursday: “The goalposts have been moving consistently on Bill, to the point where some people will only accept a win on Saturday. I think that is totally unfair.”
The Herald Sun is also aware that in recent days, several members of the NSW Right of the Labor Party have been hitting the phones to discuss plans if Mr Shorten loses tomorrow.
A faction of MPs who are loyal to Mr Shorten — some of them senior Victorians — believe he has done enough to continue as leader of the party beyond the election.
But a growing number of MPs believe that he cannot continue in the role should he not make up at least 10 of the 21 seats required to win.
‘DIRT’ ACCUSATIONS FLY AS CFA CHIEF QUITS
THE Andrews Government has been accused of launching a dirt campaign on CFA chief officer Joe Buffone as he resigned saying his role was “compromised’’ by the looming union takeover.
Emergency Services Minister James Merlino on Thursday sensationally accused Mr Buffone of asking for “a golden handshake’’ of $85,000 to withdraw his resignation.
However, the outgoing chief officer has been backed by senior CFA sources who said he was attempting to gain more seniority to fight the EBA deal.
Mr Buffone is the third high-profile victim of the dispute after former emergency services minister Jane Garrett and CFA chief executive Lucinda Nolan were forced to step down.
“It wasn’t about Joe trying to get a pay rise, it was about finding a legal instrument which could wind back the veto,’’ a CFA source said.
“We knew they (the government) would come out fighting, we never knew they would go this low.’’
Mr Buffone told the Herald Sun he had tendered his resignation on Tuesday but through his lawyers he offered to stay on if given equal status to the position of CEO and the salary equivalent.
He also sought assurances he would be paid 12 months salary if he was suddenly dismissed. “It was absolutely about the thing we were trying to make clear that this veto in this EBA is of great concern,’’ Mr Buffone said.
“I got to the point where it was untenable for me.’’
Mr Merlino said “these were highly unusual demands”.
“You can call it what you like but my responsibility is to put the facts on the table. Through his lawyers Mr Buffone demanded he be given equal status to the CEO.”
Premier Daniel Andrews’s office has repeatedly declined to comment despite the Premier personally negotiating with United Firefighters Union boss Peter Marshall in April.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said it was a disgraceful attack.
“Whether it’s the CFA board, its CEO or his own former minister, Daniel Andrews has personally attacked and discredited these respected individuals who protect Victorians,” he said.
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria boss Andrew Ford stood by Mr Buffone saying the government is “twisting the truth” and attempting to paint the outgoing chief officer as greedy.
Speaking to ABC radio this morning Mr Ford said Mr Buffone was well respected and required more powers to fight the union takeover bid.
Mr Andrews slammed the minister James Merlino for portraying Mr Buffone’s request as a money grab And said he feared volunteers had no hope of being able to fight the government’s push to ram the deal though.
United Firefighters Union secretary Peter Marshall responded by saying it was time to move on.
“What’s happened has happened we made a decision yesterday to put all that behind us,” he said.
Again Mr Marshall denied the union was attempting to control the CFA and said the ongoing dispute was about pay and safety.
— Alex White and James Campbell
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