CFA chief Paul Smith urged to take leave during fire season after $150,000 Rugby Victoria deal revealed

The Country Fire Authority’s board urged its chief executive to take time off at the height of the fire season. It’s understood one factor was the revelation of a $150,000 spend of taxpayers’ money on “diversity and inclusion”.

Paul Smith became the CFA’s fifth chief executive in four years when took up the role in February last year.

The Country Fire Authority’s board urged its chief executive to take time off at the height of the fire season.

Paul Smith, who in February last year became the CFA’s fifth CEO in four years, was away for more than two weeks after Christmas, returning to work in mid-January.

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It is understood that one factor prompting Mr Smith’s break was the Herald Sun’s revelation last year that the CFA had sent $150,000 of taxpayers’ money to Rugby Victoria in a push to “promote diversity and inclusion”.

Another senior CFA executive, who is a Rugby Victoria director, remains on enforced leave over the deal, which was not in writing and which is now the subject of an independent probe by a law firm.

CFA people and culture boss Liz Radcliffe, whom Mr Smith hired after they worked together at the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, was instrumental in striking the arrangement, despite concerns about a conflict of interest with her Rugby Victoria role.

It is believed Ms Radcliffe, who was stood down in December, remains on leave.

CFA people and culture executive director Liz Radcliffe (left) with CFA deputy chief officer Stephanie Rotarangi in rugby gear.

Mr Smith had last year spruiked the partnership as a way to help deliver fire safety messages to “people from a wider range of backgrounds”, saying: “CFA and Rugby Victoria have a strong alignment of values and both organisations are committed to embracing and encouraging diversity and inclusion.”

The CFA refused to answer questions about Mr Smith: a spokeswoman said only that he had been on health-related annual leave.

But multiple sources confirmed there were other factors in the decision.