Tasmania fire chief warned Police Minister he might speak out against reforms
Explosive claims have emerged that Tasmania’s fire chief — who quit last week – was pushed out for opposing government reforms, as an email to the Police Minister reveals more of the saga >>
Tasmania
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The state’s top firefighter warned the government he did not support proposed reforms to emergency services — and was prepared to say so publicly — just days before he suddenly quit.
Tasmania Fire Service chief officer Dermot Barry announced his resignation on Friday after just two years in the job.
The reasons for his departure have not been made public. Opposition MPs are claiming he was pushed out.
An email from Mr Barry to Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Felix Ellis obtained by the Mercury makes it clear Mr Barry was prepared to express his opposition to government reforms to his role at parliamentary budget estimates committee hearings this week.
Mr Barry expressed “serious concerns” about plans to make the fire chief subordinate to the police commissioner.
“As you know I have been supportive of the announced changes … however I do not believe the actual changes endorsed by you in the minute reflect the spirit of the reforms announced, or are in the best interests of the TFS/TFES,” he wrote in an email to the Minister.
He said the government’s proposed changes would effectively put the fire service under the control of the Police Commissioner as Department Secretary and “will reduce the Commissioner TFES to a Deputy Police Commissioner”.
Mr Barry said he did not support the proposed changes and would tell anyone who asked.
“I realise this may create an awkward position particularly as we move into estimates and other key events,” he wrote.
“I will follow the government policy position as required and support the implementation of the policy of this government.
“However I will not compromise my integrity and will answer all questions from any stakeholder honestly.
“I am prepared to answer to the effect that I will implement the changes in accordance with the government’s policy but I will not state that I endorse/support the changes.”
The United Firefighters Union, the Retained Volunteers Association and the Volunteer Fire Brigades Association wrote to Mr Ellis last Wednesday, expressing their concerns.
They say the plan is “unworkable and “would undermine the independence of the state’s fire service by placing it under the direction of the Police Commissioner, who is the Department Secretary”.
A government spokesman denied Mr Barry was forced to resign.
“The Minister did not request his resignation and has thanked Mr Barry for his service,” the spokesman said in a statement.
“Mr Barry was involved in ongoing discussions around these important reforms which are based on five years of independent reviews, and the Reports from Mr Mike Blake and Mr Michael Stevens.
“The Government will continue to implement these reforms that were announced on 24 January 2023.”
Labor shadow minister Michelle O’Byrne said she was concerned by developments.
“The Minister has a number of questions to answer,” she said.
“We have a fire service now in which all of the senior positions are filled by acting staff.
“The fire service is too important to be a political plaything for a Minister bent on reform without justification.
Member for Franklin David O’Byrne said it appeared to him that Mr Barry had been forced out.
“Rather than listen to the concerns of a highly respected and skilled fire chief, it appears Minister Felix Ellis has asked him to resign and shown him the door,” he said.
“This is a deeply troubling attack on the independence of the TFS.
“This raises serious concerns about this government’s ability to manage the state’s emergency services.
“Has the Minister attempted to silence criticism of his controversial reforms by asking the fire chief to resign?
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