Victorian Coalition promises to rebuild CFA and end union control
The Victorian Opposition says it wants to roll back fire service reforms. Here’s what Opposition Emergency Services spokesman Nick Wakeling has to say.
THE Victorian Opposition has embarked on its Rebuild the CFA consultation project to hear what volunteers want in the wake of the Andrews Government’s carve-up of the fire services.
After three years of conflict, resignations and debate on the impact of the United Firefighters Union’s enterprise agreement on volunteers, their stations and command, The Weekly Times asked Opposition Emergency Services spokesman Nick Wakeling about what alternative plans the Coalition has if it came to power in 2022?
HOW will the Coalition rebuild CFA volunteer numbers and capacity?
“The CFA and its hard working volunteers have suffered significantly from the sustained attack by the Andrews Labor Government with the establishment of Fire Rescue Victoria at the behest of the United Firefighters Union.
“The Liberal Nationals have committed to rebuilding the CFA as a truly independent, volunteer-based organisation.
“We will first consult with volunteers, brigades and Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria to identify how to rebuild the organisation, retain existing volunteers and attract new ones.
“We will also legislate for the CFA board to adhere to the provisions of the Volunteer Charter, requiring its board to make decisions that support the efforts of volunteers.
“We will also establish an Independent Commissioner for Emergency Services Volunteers to independently and properly manage complaints.”
CFA volunteers are driving around in Australia’s oldest fleet of fire trucks, due to just $7 million a year being allocated to truck replacement, when VFBV estimates $30 million a year is needed. What action will the Coalition take to address the funding shortfall?
“We will identify measures to improve CFA brigades’ resourcing.”
WILL a Coalition Government end the current arrangements that force the CFA to only employ commanders, ACFOs, instructors and other operational staff seconded from FRV, who are vetted by a United Firefighters Union registration board? How will this be achieved?
“The Liberal Nationals will end this policy. We will change the law to allow the Chief of the CFA to employ their own staff to support the work of volunteers in protecting Victorians.”
HOW is the Coalition going to cap the ongoing blowout in FRV costs and rebalance funding to ensure the CFA gets its fair share, so it can replace ageing trucks, build stations and adequately train volunteers?
“It is clear that the Andrews Government’s fire service reforms will significantly increase the cost to Government without any recognised improvement in emergency services for Victoria.
“These concerns have been raised by many stakeholders including FRV staff.
“Similar to our commitment to reform the CFA, the Liberal Nationals will undertake consultation with key stakeholders regarding the future operation of FRV to ensure that it can best deliver an emergency service response to service the Victorian community.”
FIRE Rescue Victoria’s commissioner cannot make any major decisions on staffing, operational procedures or lifting the efficiency of the service without consulting and gaining the agreement of the UFU. Are Victorian Coalition MPs working with their Federal colleagues on understanding how they can remove these consult and agree clauses in the UFU’s enterprise agreement with FRV?
“The Liberal Nationals strongly believe that FRV’s Commissioner should not be constrained to seek approval from the UFU on key operational decisions.
“Like the leader of any Government agency, the Commissioner should be able to consult broadly on issues with key stakeholders, but have the power to make decisions which are in the best interest of FRV.
“A future Liberal Nationals Government will examine opportunities to reinstate the Commissioners’ power to manage their own organisation.”
“The Coalition is calling on volunteers to give feedback on what they want at www.rebuildthecfa.com.au”
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