Friday 9th December 2016
The Andrews Labor Government has once again shown a complete disrespect to the tremendous contribution made by CFA volunteers according to Leader of the Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh.
In State Parliament this week Labor voted down the Liberals and Nationals efforts to introduce the Country Fire Authority Amendment (Protecting CFA Volunteers) Bill.
Mr Walsh said that in 2011 he was proud to be part of a government which introduced the Volunteer Charter to protect the rights and roles of volunteer fire-fighters and ensure they would be fully and fairly consulted on issues which affected them.
“The bill we sought to introduce last week would have compelled the CFA board which the Premier has now hand-picked to comply with the Volunteers Charter.
“It would have stopped the CFA from entering into any agreement or arrangement that could have an adverse effect on the interest of volunteer officers and members ” Mr Walsh said
Mr Walsh said the election of a Labor government on the back of UFU support has seen the spirit of the Volunteer Charter completely trashed
He said Daniel Andrews refusal to stand up for volunteers at the expense of his union mates has left Victoria vulnerable heading into a dangerous summer fire season.
“I have full faith in our local brigades that they will do their utmost to defend our rural communities but they should not have to go into a dangerous summer fire season in the knowledge that the Labor government does not respect or value their work ” Mr Walsh said.