Government revives deal to split the fire services

THE VICTORIAN government is once again attempting to revive its failed bid to split the fire services when parliament sits again next week.

THE Victorian government is once again attempting to ­revive its failed bid to split the fire services when parliament sits again next week.

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Labor’s controversial bid to reform the fire service into ­career and volunteer-only ­brigades stalled last year after it became clear it would not have pass parliament.

The Bill, which also ­includes provision for presumptive rights for cancer compensation to firefighters, is scheduled to be the first item discussed when parliament sits next week.

A government source said Labor thought it had the one extra vote needed.

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Emergency Services Minister James Merlino. Picture: AAP

But the four crossbench MPs Labor needs to convince to pass the legislation told the Herald Sun their position had not changed.

Emergency Services Minister James Merlino will meet with crossbencher James Purcell in a bid to convince him to support the Bill. But Mr Purcell has told the Herald Sun his ­opposition to Fire Services ­Reform has not changed.

Australian Conservatives MP Rachel Carling-Jenkins said she still opposed the Bill, as do Jeff Bourman and Daniel Young from the Shooters, Fishers and Farmer Party.