Vic Fisheries Authority exec numbers soar as frontline staff cut

The wages bill for executives and senior managers at the Victorian Fisheries Authority have doubled in recent years while 36 frontline staff have been sacked.

Victorian Fisheries officers transport a CFA strike team onto French Island, just one of the roles they play in emergency response, marine safety and rescue that will be cut.

Victorian Fisheries Authority executive and senior manager numbers and wages have doubled in the past four years, while 36 of its enforcement officers and scientific staff have been made redundant.

VFA annual reports show the number of its executives and other senior non-executive staff has grown from seven in 2019-20, at a cost of $1.45m, to 13 in 2023-24 at a cost of $3.1m.

That same leadership team is in the process of making 26 VFA’s frontline fisheries enforcement officers redundant and has wiped another 10 vacant positions from the books.

Fisheries enforcement officers said they were bitterly disappointed by the cuts, arguing their roles extended far beyond enforcing size and catch limits to marine safety inspections, flood support, rescues and even getting the first flotilla of boats into Mallacoota during the 2019-20 summer fires.

Senior VFA fisheries officer Ben Carroll (far right) was one of the team of emergency service workers and volunteers who helped in the recovery of the Mallacoota after the 2019-20 summer bushfires.

Inspection records show VFA fisheries officers undertook 70 per cent of the state’s marine safety checks, which ensure anglers’ and boaters’ vessels have the requisite and up-to-date safety gear on board – from flares and torches to compliant life jackets.

“Two of our enforcement officers received national bravery awards for rescuing people,” one outgoing officer said.

“I’m devastated to see frontline services cut, while senior management seems to be impervious to government cutbacks.”

Fisheries officers have also questioned the criteria used to appoint VFA executives and senior managers, given some appear to have no tertiary qualifications in fisheries or relevant science fields.

When asked about these appointments and qualifications Outdoor Recreation and Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos’ office saidit was the VFA board, not the minister who oversaw the process.

The VFA responded by stating the positions were publicly advertised.

“The VFA is confident all staff across the organisation have the necessary skills and experience in fisheries and natural resource management to fulfil the requirements of their roles to the highest standards.”