Independent probe needed into new CFA perks deal, says Opposition Leader

AN INDEPENDENT probe is needed into the CFA’s “sweetheart deal” to pay tens of millions of dollars in new perks to firefighters, Opposition Leader Matthew Guy says.

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AN INDEPENDENT investigation is needed into the CFA’s “sweetheart deal” to pay tens of millions of dollars in new perks to firefighters without signing a workplace agreement, Opposition Leader Matthew Guy says.

The Herald Sun revealed on Wednesday that the CFA had agreed to pay career firefighters a $3000 bonus, 15 new allowances and a 19 per cent increase in all existing allowances back-paid to August.

Emergency Services Minister James Merlino said that was “a reasonable thing to do” because the allowances were “part of an agreement that was reached six months ago”.

Emergency Services Minister James Merlino says the deal was “a reasonable thing to do”. Picture: Glenn Ferguson

He compared the benefits to allowances paid to police and paramedics, even though they received such bonuses after signing up to formal enterprise agreements.

The new EBA for firefighters remains unsigned because it conflicts with new federal legislation to protect volunteers.

Mr Guy accused Premier Daniel Andrews of “throwing money around like it’s confetti” and said an independent probe, possibly by the Auditor-General, was required into the unusual arrangement.

“There are many questions that still need to be answered about the conduct of the government when it comes to this whole CFA debacle,” Mr Guy said.

Opposition leader Matthew Guy with volunteer CFA firefighters in June last year. Picture: Darrian Traynor

Mr Merlino would not reveal the cost of the new allowances but said the whole enterprise agreement which was “stuck in the Fair Work Commission” would cost $160 million.

“We should not begrudge our firefighters with these allowances that were agreed six months ago,” he said.

Asked what productivity gains were reached through the deal, Mr Merlino said the “great benefit” of the agreement was that the government would hire 350 extra firefighters

As concerns were raised about the cost of the suite of perks and benefits, Treasurer Tim Pallas pledged that the upcoming State Budget would be “leaner”.

“Governments must maintain fiscal discipline during times of prosperity, ensuring sufficient capacity to respond to changing economic conditions,” Mr Pallas told a Committee for Economic Development of Australia conference.

“We’ve maintained that discipline and will continue to. It’s why the upcoming Budget will be different to the two that preceded it.”

Mr Pallas said the government would look at selling off other public assets after the $11 billion windfall delivered by the long-term lease of the Port of Melbourne.

“As the successful lease of the Port of Melbourne demonstrated, asset recycling is recognising the limited resources available to state governments and applying them in a forensic, pragmatic way,” he said.

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