Daniel Andrews’ anti-diversity EBA support torches his cred as a champion of equality

DANIEL Andrews wants you to think he’s down with equality and ready to fight for working women’s rights. It’s just a smokescreen, writes Wendy Tuohy.

Daniel Andrews is quick to talk about diversity but his actions speak differently, says Wendy Tuohy. Picture: Hamish Blair

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DANIEL Andrews, man of the Facebook people, always quick to jump on a trending ‘diversity’ cause (posts of selfies to support trans schoolkids, anyone?) has torched his image as a true champion of equal opportunity.

It doesn’t take a political expert to see his choice to ram through the firefighters’ pay deal that legal advice suggests breaks up to 12 clauses in Victorian anti-discrimination law has favoured his own political interests over fairness towards women, parents, carers and people with disabilities.

He has been happy to sacrifice a respected fighter for fairness, Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett, in the process.

Mr Pop Culture has worked overtime to create the impression he’s down with the cause of creating a fair society and workplace — no matter what workplace — for working women and parents.

The right-on Premier has put huge energy into attempting to convince us he’s on board with diversity and will stick his neck out to help achieve it. To borrow from the lingo of the social media platforms he so loves: “LOL”.

How brazen to think he could dismiss the strong stance of Ms Garrett and Victoria’s Women’s Minister, Fiona Richardson, that the EBA as it stands is discriminatory and must not be pushed through by a union boss vigorously resistant to making the force fairer for women.

As Herald Sun State Political Editor James Campbell has noted, Ms Richardson “has made it clear she won’t have these questions (of discrimination in the UFU backed EBA) swept under the mat”.

“Whether those concerns can be addressed in a way that keeps the UFU basses happy remains to be seen,” wrote Campbell.

Outgoing Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett.

United Firefighters Union secretary Peter Marshall. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Today’s Cabinet resignation from Ms Garrett — whose attempt to foster diversity in the fire services has been vigorously fought by union boss Peter Marshall — shows those concerns have been dismissed by Mr Andrews.

Mr Marshall’s union even went to the Federal Court to fight MFB changes to selection criteria aimed at encouraging more female firefighting recruits. A paltry three per cent of firefighters in Victoria are women.

When the UFU went to court to block these changes in March, Darin Sullivan, present of the sizeable NSW Fire Brigade Employees Union that split with the UFU in 2010, criticised the UFU’s anti-diversity move.

“We are calling (the court action) out for what it is,” Mr Sullivan said.

“We believe employers can maintain standards and increase diversity.” He said firefighters “should reflect the communities we serve”.

The UFU has been so against moves to update the blokey culture of the firefighting workforce that Ms Garrett was publicly harangued by UFU members at a media photo opportunity with female recruits.

A secret report presented to the Andrews Government last year found bullying and gender inequality in the state’s firefighting services was so severe that Ms Garrett asked the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission to review the services’ employment culture.

Yet Mr Andrews has sacrificed her to keep them happy.

The Premier’s choice to force through an EBA that would discriminate against women, working parents and carers shows all of his energetic attempts to make us believe he is ready to fight for equality evaporate if there’s a chance it will cost him some political skin.

Next time you see some right-on Facebook action from the man who would make you think he’s a flag bearer for a more equal Victoria, just remember that’s nothing more than a smokescreen.

* Stay in touch with Wendy on Twitter @wtuohy and Facebook