MEMBER for Lowan Emma Kealy has condemned a ban on opposition politicians giving speeches on Country Fire Authority facilities as just crazy.
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The authority sent out a directive on Wednesday that said opposition members were welcome to attend station openings, truck handovers and medal presentations, but they were not allowed to make speeches.
The authority’s chief executive Frances Diver denied that the directive was pushed by the state government, which has been locked in a dispute with volunteer firefighters over a new workplace agreement.
“The ban is just crazy,” Ms Kealy said.
“Volunteer firefighters deserve to have their member of parliament congratulate them on how much of good job they are doing.
“They can’t wait for a government member of parliament, because they don’t come out to this part of the state often.”
Ms Kealy said if the ban did come from the state government, it would fit with prior behavior.
“This is entirely in line with what we have come to expect from Premier Daniel Andrews,” she said.
“He will move to shut people down if they say things he doesn’t like.
“Already we have seen a senior female minister and female authority chief executive gone, and the board sacked; Mr Andrews is behaving like a dictator and a bully.”
Volunteer Firefighter Brigades Victoria this month secured a Supreme Court injunction against paid firefighters voting to endorse a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.
Volunteer firefighters and coalition members of parliament from both the state and federal level have claimed the new agreement would give the United Firefighters Union veto power over volunteer management.
Volunteers have also claimed the agreement discriminated against women and people with a disability.
Emergency Services Minster James Merlino has previously said the new agreement would end a year-long dispute and it contained a number of safeguards to protect the role of volunteer firefighters.
“We recognise the vital role volunteers play and that is why we are building a better authority with new trucks, facilities, equipment, and training for volunteer brigades,” he said.
“It is clear there needs to be a fundamental culture shift in the authority and there is a real opportunity to address these challenges.”