NewsBite

Firefighters union member suspended amid claims he punched former CFA volunteer in face

A FIREFIGHTERS’ union member has been suspended by the MFB amid claims he punched a man in the face during a dispute over stickers supporting the CFA.

Mick Arnett says he immediately put a sticker on his car after witnessing the alleged assault. Picture: Josie Hayden
Mick Arnett says he immediately put a sticker on his car after witnessing the alleged assault. Picture: Josie Hayden

A FIREFIGHTERS’ union member has been suspended by the MFB amid claims he punched a man in the face during a dispute over stickers supporting the CFA.

Police are investigating allegations the UFU member assaulted a Diamond Creek Newsagency customer who had challenged him for trying to remove Herald Sun stickers from the store.

Former CFA volunteer David Purcell, 63, said the man, wearing a UFU-emblazoned T-shirt, punched him above the right eye.

“The staff member behind the counter told him he couldn’t take all of the stickers, and the man said: ‘I’m from the UFU and I can do anything I like’,” Mr Purcell said.

“We both then said to the man to bring the stickers back, that we want to defend the CFA. He bounded right back in and got right in my face and punched me.”

BACK THE CFA FREE STICKER: SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers Mark Simpson, Kerri-Ann Simpson, Matt Wood and Jackie Crow with some of the stickers Picture: Andrew Tauber
Volunteers Mark Simpson, Kerri-Ann Simpson, Matt Wood and Jackie Crow with some of the stickers Picture: Andrew Tauber

Mr Purcell, who lives in Healesville, said he passionately opposed the union takeover of the CFA but never thought he would be physically attacked for his position.

“The issue from my point of view is that someone has been assaulted just for defending volunteers, everyone’s got their own point of view but we don’t have to get physical about it,” Mr Purcell said.

Mick Arnett, who was working behind the counter, said the man kept walking back in and “wanted a blue”.

“He said, ‘I’m in the firefighters’ union. I find that (the stickers) offensive. You can get f-----’,” he said. Mr Arnett said after the drama he put a sticker on his own vehicle.

Victoria Police said a 51-year-old man had been spoken to regarding an allegation of unlawful assault.

An MFB spokeswoman confirmed the alleged attacker was an employee and had been suspended pending further investigation. “All employees are expected to adhere to the MFB values and standards of behaviour,” she said.

UFU national secretary Peter Marshall said he had spoken to the member involved and he categorically denied the allegations.

“Any suggestion to the contrary would be highly defamatory. We have no further comment while the matter is before the police,” Mr Marshall said.

The Herald Sun does not suggest that the man was representing the UFU or acting in any official capacity at the time of the incident.

Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria spokesman Garth Head said he was shocked at the alleged attack.

“There is no excuse for anyone at all to be engaging in standover or any other sort of violence,” Mr Head said.

anthony.galloway@news.com.au

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/firefighters-union-member-suspended-amid-claims-he-punched-former-cfa-volunteer-in-face/news-story/9ee048d0f3fa961abb92e082561c20a4