Incoming MFB chief Dan Stephens says UFU boss Peter Marshall will love him as fire crisis deepens

MELBOURNE’S incoming metropolitan firefighting chief says militant union boss Peter Marshall is “going to love me” as the war over the state’s fire services deepens.

MELBOURNE’S incoming metropolitan firefighting chief says militant union boss Peter Marshall is “going to love me” as the war over the state’s fire ­services deepens.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy yesterday asked Victoria’s corruption watchdog to probe allegations of secret deals between Mr Marshall and Premier Daniel Andrews, after the United Firefighters Union secretary aired sensational claims on Wednesday night.

Mr Marshall exploded on radio after UK firefighting chief Dan Stephens was recruited to run the MFB, saying promises made by Mr Andrews but not made public had been “shattered”.

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New MFB chief Dan Stephens outside his UK home. Picture: Matthew Pover

The Premier denies any deals exist, but Mr Guy said the claims needed to be tested by the independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission.

The Herald Sun approached Mr Stephens in the UK yesterday to discuss the firestorm he’s walking into, but he said he had been advised not to comment. But Mr Stephens gave a good-­natured reply when asked whether he could work with the union. “I’m sure Peter Marshall is going to love me,” he said.

The UFU has launched a campaign to pre-emptively oust Mr Stephens — dubbed a “union attack dog” — ­before he starts in May.

Mr Marshall said in a bulletin to members yesterday that was “deeply concerned” about Mr Stephens’ appointment. He claimed “draconian measures” had been implemented during Mr Stephens’ tenure at Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service in the UK.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy yesterday asked Victoria’s corruption watchdog to probe allegations of secret deals between Peter Marshall, left, and Premier Daniel Andrews.

“Dan Stephens’ catchcry is flexibility,” Mr Marshall said. “Flexibility is just a guise for smashing rosters and minimum crewing which decimates your safe systems of work.”

But the British firefighting boss has been described as having a great relationship with the UK union, and has hit out at government cuts.

According to newspapers in Liverpool, where union participation is high, local union bosses said his tenure represented “a breath of fresh air”.

Mr Andrews drew a line in the sand yesterday, declaring Mr Stephens was here to stay and “there will be no change to that important decision”.

“He is an outstanding candidate to lead that organisation (MFB) and drive the cultural change that is necessary,” he said.

The Opposition has asked IBAC to investigate whether Mr Andrews, or others on his behalf, struck deals with the union for political support in return for ­financial benefits and favourable workplace agreements for its members.

Mr Guy said allegations of deals that had not been made public were concerning. “I have never seen anything like this before, where a union leader is literally holding the government to ransom,” he said.

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