14 August 2015
The short timeframe for submissions to the Fire Services Review has fueled concerns the Melbourne-based union will gain control of country fire fighting operations.
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said there were even fears that the Andrews Labor Government would use the review to merge the CFA with the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB).
“Local CFA volunteers and communities have been given just three weeks to write and lodge their submissions to the Andrews Labor Government’s Fire Services Review “ Mr Walsh said.
“Following that there’s only four weeks for all of those submissions to be considered and for the final report to be developed.
“You have to wonder how genuine this review is. Does the Andrews Labor Government really want to hear from our selfless CFA volunteers or has it heard enough already from its union mates?’
Mr Walsh said if the labor Government took CFA volunteers’ views seriously they would provide them with adequate time to make submissions.
“To provide just a few weeks for written submissions to this review is offensive to our CFA volunteers and country communities “ he said.
“At the same time the Andrews Labor Government is taking more than 12 months to look into gaming machine arrangements. Why the rush for this review?
“Our CFA volunteers dedicate their time and risk their safety to protect others – and they deserve to be treated with far more respect by this government.”