Premier Daniel Andrews will be absent for controversial CFA trial

PREMIER Daniel Andrews will be overseas during an ­explosive court trial into the ­legality of the controversial CFA workplace agreement.

Daniel Andrews will be in China when the case starts.

PREMIER Daniel Andrews will be overseas during an ­explosive court trial into the ­legality of the controversial CFA workplace agreement.

Mr Andrews has promised to be “fully co-operative” if called to give evidence when CFA volunteers challenge the deal in the Supreme Court this month. But the Herald Sun can reveal the Premier will be on a trade mission to China when the trial begins on ­September 22.

It comes as Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria launches a crowd-funding campaign to raise $500,000 to bankroll their bid to block the deal, which they fear will harm volunteers and give CFA control to the United Firefighters Union.

Former emergency services minister Jane Garrett will take the stand to give evidence during the trial.

The Herald Sun understands former CFA chief executive Lucinda Nolan — who quit instead of supporting the government-backed deal — has also been subpoenaed to appear.

VFBV chief executive Andrew Ford was asked last week if lawyers for the volunteer organisation would subpoena Mr Andrews. He said they were considering asking “anyone who can shed light on the issue” to give evidence.

“I’m not at liberty to talk about who we have or will subpoena but suffice to say we’ll have some pretty important witnesses and subpoena others,” Mr Ford said last week.

Mr Andrews repeated several times last week that he had not been subpoenaed and neither had Emergency Services Minister James Merlino.

He visited China in late September last year and the Herald Sun understands this year’s trip has been planned for several months. A spokesman for the Premier said: “As Victoria’s most valuable trading partner, the Premier proudly promised to visit China each year, and as planned, he’ll be visiting this month.”

Mr Ford said volunteers were seeking donations from the community to help cover the costs of their court battle.

“Any action in the courts costs money, so we are asking the community that we serve to support us,” Mr Ford said.

Details: http://mycause.com.au/cfa

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