Labor Party icons fear CFA crisis has been disaster for Andrews Government

TWO former Labor premiers are deeply concerned about Premier Daniel Andrews’ handling of the CFA crisis and believe it has been a “disaster” for his government.

TWO former Labor premiers are deeply concerned about Premier Daniel Andrews’ handling of the CFA crisis and believe it has been a “disaster” for his government.

Current and former Labor MPs and ministers have told the Herald Sun that Steve Bracks, premier from 1999-2007, and John Brumby, premier from 2007-2010, share serious reservations about Mr Andrews’ judgment and ­actions throughout the damaging industrial saga.

The elder statesmen, according to Labor figures, ­believe their successor made a significant error by personally taking over negotiations with United Firefighters Union chief Peter Marshall in what has proven to be a failed attempt to settle the long running EBA dispute.

Former Victoria Premiers John Brumby and Steve Bracks are deeply concerned about Premier Daniel Andrews’ handling of the CFA crisis, say current and former Labor MPs.

Premier Daniel Andrews’ Andrews’ judgment and ­actions throughout the damaging industrial saga have concerned two former premiers. Picture: Andrew Batsch

“He (Bracks) can’t understand why you would choose a union leader over a cabinet colleague ... he thinks Dan’s been a disaster on this,” one current minister said, referring to the forced resignation of emergency services minister Jane Garrett.

“He’s questioned why on earth you would blow so much political capital on it.”

Another Labor figure said Mr Brumby believed Mr ­Andrews should have resisted the urge to personally intervene and keep Mr Marshall at arm’s length.

“Brumby feels its been a disaster for the government,” the figure said.

“He believes that Marshall has to be kept at arm’s length, and reckons the leaders can’t afford to get caught in a room with Peter Marshall because he’ll gobble you up.

“Marshall needs to be forced to deal with bureaucrats, not ministers or premiers.”

Labor figures told the Herald Sun that at the height of the crisis — shortly before the premier forced Jane Garrett to quit in June — Mr Bracks was sounded out by a number of MPs and ministers who asked him to act as a “Mr Fixit” in a bid to defuse the damaging row ahead of the July 2 federal election.

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The Herald Sun understands that Mr Bracks was open to the idea of acting as a peacemaker between the UFU, CFA volunteers and the government but Labor sources said Mr Andrews had made it clear he was not interested in the Bracks option and ultimately the plan was never acted on.

“Premiers don’t tend to like ex-premiers coming in and fixing something they can’t,” one source said.

Labor sources said the Premier had made a fundamental tactical error by allowing ministers — and even getting involved himself — to have first-hand discussions with union leaders, including Mr Marshall.

“When Bracks was in office, the union leaders were forced to deal with the department heads.

“It kept everything in check,” one source said.

Union leaders were forced to deal with department heads under former Victorian Premier Steve Bracks, one source says. Picture: Cameron Richardson

Former Premier John Brumby. Picture: Chris Eastman

Both former premiers believe the CFA dispute could prevent Labor picking up two or three regional seats in 2018, gains Labor desperately needs to offset potential losses to the Greens in inner Melbourne electorates.

Labor MPs believe Mr Bracks feels the CFA dispute is an own goal while Mr Brumby considers the Premier’s decision to intervene is not one he would repeat if he had his time again.

“He’s (Bracks) questioned why on earth you would blow so much political capital on it. You need to reserve that for things that really matter,” one Labor figure said.

Labor MPs say that Mr Bracks has arrived at the conclusion that Mr Marshall “must have something on Andrews”.

Both former premiers have a high regard for Ms Garrett and believe she has acted with integrity and remained loyal to Labor throughout the crisis.

Despite their bleak assessment of the Premier’s actions, both Mr Bracks and Mr Brumby remain of the view that he can lead Labor to victory at the 2018 election.

Mr Bracks and Mr Brumby declined to comment when contacted by the Herald Sun.