By Peter Douglas
THE Liberal Party on Monday, 10 October, passed changes to the federal Fair Work Act, which aim to halt restrictions on Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteers performing their duties.
Thought yet to be tested, in effect the legislation, which won the support a majority of senate crossbenchers, aims to block the present enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) that is being put to the CFA.
Aspects of the EBA have been the source of the major dispute between the Victorian Government, the United Firefighters Union (UFU) and the CFA; including fears from the CFA over a ‘seven on the fire ground’ clause that would require seven paid firefighters to be dispatched to a fire before work could begin.
Both sides of politics have come out and spoken vehemently on the recent legislation, with the Liberals saying they had made good on their promise to block the EBA.
Monbulk MP and Victorian Emergency Services Minister, James Merlino, described the legislation as “completely unnecessary” and merely “a political stunt”.
“As far as the Federal Government and federal legislation, this changes nothing. As I’ve said the whole way through it was a political stunt by Malcolm Turnbull,” he said.
“Look at the evidence … the Federal Employment Minister was caught out about the seven-on-the-ground clause.
“The senate inquiry into the legislation itself was looking at an old version of the agreement – that did not include the clauses that specifically protect the role of our volunteers.
It’s been exposed as a farce … it won’t change anything.”
Mr Merlino insisted the legislation wasn’t a done deal and said there might be a challenge.
“Pending a Supreme Court challenge, the agreement will go to the firefighters to a vote,” he said.
“Once that is conducted, it’ll go to the Fair Work Commission.
“At the Fair Work Commission, that’s where we’ll see the impact of this legislation.”
The Liberals first flagged the move in June this year as Deputy Liberal Leader, Julie Bishop, toured Belgrave with La Trobe MP, Jason Wood, who was then amid an election campaign.
At a Belgrave CFA rally, which took place near Mr Merlino’s office, the pair declared the Federal Government would use its powers to halt approval of the EBA.
At the time, Ms Bishop implored the CFA to support the move.
“We will not stand idly by and allow a Labor Government to unionise a volunteer organisation of 60,000 people across Victoria,” she said.
But, as the legislation passed last week, Mr Wood said the Liberal Government had stood up for Victorian communities and the tens of thousands of volunteers who protected them.
Mr Wood declared the legislation would mean the EBA can no longer be used to undermine the capacity of emergency services bodies.
“We have delivered on our commitment to protect the CFA from a hostile union takeover,” Mr Wood said.
“This is a victory for men and women who have fought to defend the CFA and the role of its volunteers.
“For 70 years, CFA volunteers have protected Victorian communities.
“Now we have taken action to protect them, despite the Labor and the Greens cosying up to the UFU yet again.”
Meanwhile, Gembrook MP and Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Brad Battin, backed the move.
“This legislation gives volunteer firefighters the respect Daniel Andrews wouldn’t afford,” he said.
“Malcolm Turnbull’s decisive action was a positive step towards protecting the CFA from Daniel Andrews’ proposed union takeover.
“Daniel Andrews’ war on volunteering is alarming – Victoria has lost over 300 years of combined emergency services staff experience, heading into a dangerous bushfire season.
“The Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition will continue to advocate for volunteer firefighters to ensure they can continue to do what they do best – protect Victorian families.”
