Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has told the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) conference volunteers rights will be safeguarded.
.Outgoing VFF livestock group president Ian Feldtmann told the conference yesterday, if he had his way, he would not have invited the Premier to give the keynote address, until he had resolved the “CFA mess.”
The Premier said it was time to end the CFA dispute.
“We will honor and respect and provide greater support to the CFA, so it can make the cultural change, that each of you rely on, and Victorians demand - that can only occur, if we are prepared to put this bitter, long ranging dispute, behind us,” Mr Andrews said.
Mr Andrews rejected claims, from one questioner, that the CFA would be unionised.
”Its an easy speech to give, its an easy claim to make, in the heat of the Federal election campaign, no-one is unionising the CFA, no one is replacing volunteers with paid staff, why would you do that ?,” Mr Andrews said.
“For a start you couldn’t afford it, it would be silly thing to do – we are not doing that.
“We can’t accept there is no change to be made, and we need to get on with that , we can do that, while ever the CFA is at war with itself, you are not going to get that outcome.
“Messy, I couldn’t agree more, yes, of course it has been difficult, important work has never been easy.”
He said there was specific protection for volunteers in the agreement.
“The role of volunteers will not be affected.”
Fair Work would ensure the addition of more paid firefighters would not affect the role of volunteers.
Outgoing VFF president Peter Tuohey said he could not believe Mr Andrews’ handling of the CFA dispute, after spending 18 months, in building relationships with the farm sector.
“But I couldn`t believe that Daniel Andrews, who had done a lot in eighteen months to build a relationship with farming communities, could be so wrong in the handling of the CFA / United Fire fighters Union dispute.”
He said he had held discussions with the Emergency Services Minister James Merlino and had been assured volunteers would be protected.
“I have had discussions with the Premier and the Treasurer and it is clear it needs to be resolved now, and not at the expense of CFA volunteers,” Mr Touhey said.
“I can assure every VFF member, we will not back down in our support for volunteer firefighters.”
Mr Andrews said the role of the CFA, in protecting life and property, was beyond question.
“The enterprise bargaining dispute had dragged on for more than three years, more than 1000 months, that is unacceptable, that is dangerous, and it would have been simply inexcusable if we had simply allowed that to roll on, to say this is all too difficult, it is all too hard.
“Whilst the CFA is a proud organisation, and one we all respect, like all all organisations it is not perfect.”
Mr Andrews said the Equal Opportunity Commission, Fire Services review and lived experience pointed to the fact change needed to occur.
“Whilst those dedicated volunteers and career staff where on the fire ground, risking their lives, to keep us safe, officials, paid officials of the CFA were at the Fair Work Commission, arguing amongst themselves, at war with themselves.
“I was not prepared to allow that to continue, in what will again, be sadly, another long, hot, dry fire season, we will face this Christmas.
“Sometimes its easy to shirk and issue and let it bubble along – that is not leadership, and is, in every respect, a weak approach and will not deliver.”