UFU national boss Peter Marshall hits back at state branches calling for bushfire royal commission
The United Firefighters Union has split over a royal commission into this summer’s bushfire crisis, with national secretary Peter Marshall slapping down the push from state branches.
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Three state branches of the United Firefighters Union have been slapped down by national secretary Peter Marshall over their call for a royal commission into this summer’s bushfire disaster.
The bosses of the Queensland, South Australian and Western Australian branches — as well as the independent New South Wales union — say a federal royal commission is needed to ensure the nation is better prepared to respond to future fires.
But Mr Marshall, the powerful Victorian secretary who is also the UFU’s national boss, told 3AW yesterday their timing was “atrocious” and “a bit insensitive”.
In a statement to his members, Mr Marshall added that the call for a royal commission was “extremely premature” and could “potentially distract from the focuses of the frontline firefighting required”.
“With temperatures set to soar and fire ground conditions predicted to worsen, this call prematurely shifts the focus away from what should remain front and centre at this time: bushfire-affected communities and fire service personnel and volunteers on the fire ground,” Mr Marshall said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has flagged that he is open to calling a royal commission.
“There is a broad agreement about the need … for there to be a thorough and proper review of both the contributing factors and the response and improvements that can be made,” he said earlier this week.
“What form that ultimately takes is something that I will work closely with the premiers on.”
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Mr Marshall said discussions on any inquiry should be held “in the cold light of day” once the fire season has ended, adding that “full consultation with the frontline firefighters” was needed first.
“A royal commission should be not be called for unless it is clearly thought out as to terms of reference and what parties seek to achieve through this process,” Mr Marshall said.
“There are significant complexities in establishing a federal royal commission that is appropriately empowered to address issues involving states and territories. If these are not addressed, any outcomes cannot bind state governments, where it affects their ability to manage in their own right.”