CFA pay dispute: Premier Daniel Andrews wields axe for union mates

PREMIER Daniel Andrews has brutally cut down all opposition to a union takeover of the CFA, sacking its board and forcing the resignation of Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett.

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PREMIER Daniel Andrews has brutally cut down all opposition to a union takeover of the CFA, sacking its board and forcing the resignation of Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett.

In a day of drama that saw the state’s volunteer firefighters granted an emergency Supreme Court injunction to stop the government ramming through the workplace agreement:

CABINET ticked off the controversial deal;

RISING star Ms Garrett quit rather than agree to the deal;

THE CFA board was given an ­ultimatum to sign by 5pm and was then sacked, despite the ­injunction barring it from signing until June 22.

CFA chief executive Lucinda Nolan is now also facing the sack, given her steadfast refusal to support the agreement.

She and the CFA’s leaders said they were “deeply saddened” the board was canned.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews holds a press conference after Jane Garrett resigned. Picture: Alex Coppel

“CFA will continue to work with the government and the UFU to find a solution to the enterprise bargaining agreement;, however, it will not and cannot sign an agreement which is ­unlawful,” the CFA said.

Deputy Premier James Merlino, who was given Ms Garrett’s ministerial job, gave the CFA until 5pm on Friday to support the deal.

When the board refused, Mr Merlino said he had lost confidence in its ability to end the dispute and moved to sack it. A new board will be appointed soon, which could then fire Ms Nolan. Mr Andrews said his Cabinet unanimously backed the “fair and balanced” agreement — even though Ms Garrett was forced to resign before Friday’s crisis meeting.

She tweeted that it had been an “extraordinary privilege” to serve as Emergency Services Minister, a role she left “with a heavy heart”. The Premier claimed all Ms Garrett’s concerns were addressed, but could not explain why she had to quit.

Mr Andrews said his government had developed “safeguards” for all “outstanding matters” including the union’s veto rights, diversity issues and the “seven on the fireground” policy.

He said letters of intent and good-faith agreements would be set up between the CFA and the United Firefighters Union, with Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley to oversee the deal’s ­implementation.

Victorian Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett. Picture: AAP Image/Angus Livingston

CFA chief executive Lucinda Nolan faces the sack. Picture: Mitch Bear

“Significant ground has been given, absolute clarification has been provided,” Mr Andrews said.

“That’s why I am putting this before the people of Victoria as a fair and balanced deal, and a deal that gets this done, so that we can end this bitter dispute.

“I proudly say to every Victorian, my government makes sure that more firefighters turn out to dangerous fires. If I’m criticised for that, well so be it.”

But the CFA said it was unable to sign the deal. It released advice from the government’s own Crown counsel which said the deal breached equal opportunity laws and would be discriminatory.

“In addition, there remain 14 threshold issues that CFA cannot agree to, including the clauses which give the UFU 50 vetoes over CFA’s legislated responsibilities,” the CFA said.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy slammed Mr Andrews as a “vengeful bully” who was “almost unfit to hold office”.

He said the Premier was “smashing up the CFA” and that his safeguards for the EBA had “no weight legally”.

“If they (Labor) can’t get their way, they simply sack the board, put in a patsy and start again,” Mr Guy said.

Mr Andrews said he did not want to the dispute to drag into the fire season.

UFU secretary Peter Marshall did not comment.

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