Fireys union investigation heating up

An IBAC probe into the United Firefighters Union has been stepped up while several key fire services figures are on leave — and sources say many union staff are not happy.

Officers from the state’s anti-corruption body investigating the United Firefighters Union have been seen visiting its offices as a two-year probe into the fire services continues.

The Herald Sun first reported in 2019 that Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission had begun probing the state’s fire services in the wake of the 2016 battle over the CFA and MFB pay deals.

The paid firefighter elements of the two services have since been merged into the Fire Rescue Victoria, leaving the CFA ostensibly a volunteer-only rural service.

Multiple sources have said IBAC’s probe has intensified in recent months and that in late June its investigators were seen attending the UFU’s offices in Brunswick St Fitzroy.

United Firefighters Union secretary Peter Marshall has been on leave.

The IBAC activity comes as FRV commissioner Ken Block, UFU secretary Peter Marshall and union president David Hamilton have all taken leave.

Union members said the sudden leave of Mr Marshall, who was last month re-elected to the top job in the union, was highly unusual.

In a bulletin to all members the UFU advised that Mr Marshall was on a period of indefinite leave.

“I can’t ever remember Peter formally notifying anyone he was on leave in over 20 years,” one member said.

“There is speculation that he has been told to stand aside by IBAC while they investigate,” they said.

A UFU spokesperson denied Mr Marshall’s leave had anything to do with the investigation and refused to comment further.

A bulletin to UFU members advised that Mr Marshall was on leave.

But sources say morale inside the UFU head office was at record lows.

“David Hamilton has expressed to a few that he is having real trouble dealing with Peter at the moment as he is constantly irate and angry,” one said.

“A lot of staff in the UFU office are unhappy and looking to leave.”

Commissioner Ken Block started a six week period of leave on July 7 and has returned to Canada to visit his family.

Members have questioned the leave, in the middle of a pandemic, amid speculation Mr Block may not return.

Mr Block, who was appointed to head the new merged fire services, has been outspoken about his dissatisfaction with the service.

In a leaked recording obtained by the Herald Sun earlier this year Mr Block was heard complaining that he had inherited a service “fraught with tension, mistrust, and people protecting their own turf” that was still not running smoothly.

Deputy Commissioner Ken Brown has stepped into the top job.

A spokeswoman for IBAC said that “for legal and operational reasons, IBAC is unable to comment on this matter.”