CFA chief fire officer Joe Buffone resigns

LATEST: OUTGOING CFA chief Joe Buffone says he is “absolutely gutted” after deciding he had no choice but to quit over the bitter pay dispute.

The CFA’s chief fire officer Joe Buffone, left, has resigned.

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OUTGOING CFA chief Joe Buffone says he is “absolutely gutted” after deciding he had no choice but to quit over the bitter pay dispute.

Speaking on radio station 3AW this afternoon, Mr Buffone said money had nothing to do with his decision and he was being urged to stay on in his role despite him making it clear he felt it was untenable.

Joe Buffone has resigned as CFA chief officer.

“I wasn’t staying, and then they continually made offers of what could encourage me to stay on,” he said.

“This is not about money because I have walked away from a job that I love.

“I have walked away from a job I loved. I have walked away from a career that I have dedicated my life to.”

He said he had formally written to the Emergency Services Minister and the new CFA CEO outlining his concerns, and had not received a response.

Mr Buffone said he was “absolutely gutted” and felt hurt that there was an “attempt to discredit me”.

He said he did not want others to quit in solidarity, but instead urged volunteers to remain dedicated to their communities.

He said one major sticking points was that he would be required to consult with the United Firefighters Union before deploying CFA assets and personnel.

When asked why he believed the Government was desperate for the reform despite opposition from senior CFA figures and former minister Jane Garrett, Mr Buffone said: “I wish I actually understood that and I wish that I could actually answer it.”

Mr Buffone formally tendered his resignation this morning, saying his role had been compromised by the industrial agreement.

He said the resignation came with “great sadness and reluctance”.

“In my opinion I am now in circumstances where my ability to effectively carry out my role is compromised by an industrial agreement,” he said.

“In addition it impedes my vision for CFA as a modern, contemporary and inclusive emergency service.

“I believe the agreement will tie the hands of those who are obliged by law protect the safety of Victorians.”

He said the safety of the community has always been, and remains his highest priority.

Senior CFA sources have backed Mr Buffone after Emergency Services Minister James Merlino alleged he had asked for money to back the CFA pay deal.

“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 would come out fighting, we never knew they would go this low.’’

Sources told the Herald Sun Mr Buffone was right in his demands and that the Government was waging a “smear campaign’’.

According to Mr Merlino, Mr Buffone tendered his resignation to the CFA on the 28th, however the following day through his lawyers, he made an offer to the CFA to withdraw his resignation if the following terms were met:

• Equal status with the CEO within the CFA organisational structure;

• Payment of a salary equal to the salary paid to the CEO;

• An entitlement of 12 months’ salary at higher pay if he departed before the end of his contract.

He gave a deadline of 5pm yesterday, which the government did not meet.

A spokesman for the Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria said “it’s another messenger shot for speaking the truth’’.

Former Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett and former CFA CEO Lucinda Nolan also left their positions during the pay dispute.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said: “Daniel Andrews’ usual response is to personally attack anyone who disagrees with him.

“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.”

Mr Guy said the looming pay deal was “morally” wrong and would have a generational impact on the CFA.

“Daniel Andrews has a lot to hide over the CFA agreement. We have another resignation today throwing doubt over the decision,” Mr Guy said.

“No one is safe in the fire services in Victoria.

“They all can’t be wrong. The message is loud and clear from volunteers from the chief officer, the board, the volunteers. Hands off our CFA.”

United Firefighters Union secretary Peter Marshall said he had no idea Mr Buffone was intending to quit.

Speaking at a union meeting at Trades Hall this morning, Mr Marshall said he was unaware Buffone had left the organisation.

“That comes as news to us as well, we had no knowledge that was going to happen,” Mr Marshall said.

“I’m not aware of the circumstances — I will have to make some inquiries.”

United Firefighters Union members gather at Trades Hall today.

UFU secretary Peter Marshall says he did not know Mr Buffone would quit.

The meeting of around 150 union members was held to discuss plans to turn out to polling booths on Saturday.

Mr Buffone is the latest scalp in the CFA saga following the departures of former Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett and former CFA CEO Lucinda Nolan.

Mr Marshall denied he was collecting scalps.

“I think it’s sad when you see anyone leave an organisation,” Mr Marshall said.

“The only thing I’m collecting is goodwill.”

Mr Buffone, who was appointed to the position last October, recently released a video calling on both volunteers and paid firefighters to focus on protecting Victoria and to “respect” each other.

It comes as the Herald Sun today revealed an email exposed desperate backroom dealing between Dan Andrews’s top bureaucrat and Australia’s chief industrial judge to better protect Country Fire Authority volunteers, the very day the Premier was publicly claiming the 60,000-strong army had nothing to worry about.

Former emergency services minister Jane Garrett resigned rather than back the deal, which the CFA says will give veto powers to the United Firefighters Union.

The CFA board was sacked and CFA CEO Lucinda Nolan also resigned.

More to come..

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