CFA refers bullying, sexual harassment claims to police, IBAC

THE head of the CFA says allegations of bullying, assault and corruption have been referred to police and the anti-corruption watchdog following a damning report into the Victorian fire services.

THE head of the Country Fire Authority says allegations of bullying, assault and corruption have been referred to police and the anti-corruption watchdog following a damning report into the Victorian fire services.

The CFA’s chief executive Frances Diver said a number of complaints from members within the organisation had been passed onto IBAC but would not be pressed on the exact nature of the complaints.

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Ms Diver made the shocking admission to Neil Mitchell on 3AW today and revealed there had also been allegations of sexual assault within the CFA this year.

“We have had allegations of sexual assault, we have referred them to the police and we have taken the necessary action against them,” she said.

Ms Diver said a number of paid and volunteer firefighters were no longer at the organisation as a result of complaints, but would not say whether they had been fired or if they resigned on their own accord.

It follows the leak of a shocking report which exposed a culture of workplace harassment within the CFA and Metropolitan Fire Brigade including claims of rape, intimidation and threats against workers.

Ms Diver said the behaviour would not be tolerated and the CFA was taking action against perpetrators.

“CFA is ripe for reform, we need to change … we’re certainly not afraid of calling out bad behaviour,” she said.

During a fiery question time in State Parliament, the state opposition grilled Daniel Andrews over revelations by Victoria’s human rights commissioner Kristen Hilton that women who take part in a review of sexism and bullying in fire services were spied upon.

Ms Hilton’s review of the services is being held up in court, where the United Firefighters Union has argued it is biased and has flawed methodology.

Mr Andrews said that Emergency Services Minister James Merlino would meet with Ms Hilton to discuss the very “serious matter” raised.

“We will not hesitate to act,” Mr Andrews said.

The opposition accused Mr Andrews of refusing to condemn the UFU for poor behaviour, and the premier refused to answer when asked the name of the union’s state secretary.

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