Independent MP refuses to back CFA dismantle bid in shock move

PREMIER Daniel Andrews’ controversial bid to dismantle the CFA is hanging by a thread after a key independent MP declared he would not vote for the changes.

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PREMIER Daniel Andrews’ controversial bid to dismantle the CFA is hanging by a thread after a key independent MP declared he would not vote for the changes.

Vote 1 Local Jobs MP James Purcell had loomed as the king maker to get the Government’s Bill, which would create a new agency called Fire Rescue Victoria, through the Upper House.

But Mr Purcell declared to the Herald Sun last night he would vote against it.

“Everyone we met in the brigades — the CFA volunteers — really felt they hadn’t been consulted in the process,” Mr Purcell said.

“They don’t know what’s going on, they feel disillusioned with the whole process, they feel that the United Firefighters Union (UFU) put the bill together and they will be the losers out of it.”

Mr Purcell said he suggested amendments to the government but eventually decided the Bill needed to be defeated due to the Government’s lack of consultation with volunteers.

“The amendments can’t do the consultation bit of it,” he said.

“The only way the volunteers are going to get back in, supporting, fighting the fires and getting the surge capacity, is if they really feel they’re valued and the only way you’re going to do that is if you go out and talk to them.”

Premier Daniel Andrews’ controversial bid to dismantle the CFA is now hanging by a thread. Picture: AAP/ Rob Blakers

Vote 1 Local Jobs MP James Purcell has shocked the Government with his decision not to support the controversial fire services Bill.

The Government needs the Greens and two other MPs to get the Bill through the Upper House.

The Coalition and the Shooters and Fishers Party have already said they would not support the Bill. But the Greens and Sex Party MP Fiona Patten are likely to support it, which would leave them one vote short.

DLP MP Rachel Carling-Jenkins told the Herald Sun earlier this week she was unlikely to support the Bill in its current form.

It is understood Dr Carling-Jenkins would consider sending the draft laws to a parliamentary committee, giving the Government a glimmer of hope the Bill would survive.

Mr Purcell’s revelations late yesterday sent shockwaves through the Government, as the crisis over the state’s fire services and the ongoing dispute over the CFA EBA continues to plague it.

It comes as the Herald Sun can also reveal the militant UFU used its veto powers to stop independent reviewers probing sexism and bullying from visiting fire stations.