A significant reduction in Victoria’s volunteer firefighters is disappointing, said Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull.

Mr Bull said the Productivity Commission’s Report on Government Services revealed there were 2400 less CFA volunteers protecting communities than in June, 2014.

“I believe this 6.9% reduction in volunteer firefighters in just over two years is certainly partly due to the current dispute,” he said.

“I am disappointed in the Productivity Commission’s findings, especially on the brink of the fire season, but I am not surprised. I have heard first-hand that volunteer firefighters would leave the CFA all because of the dispute.”

Mr Bull said Premier Daniel Andrews declared that the dispute over the EBA had come to an end in June last year, but that was clearly premature.

“Seven months on, we’ve had senior personnel resign, allegations of bullying, a Senate Committee inquiry, a Commonwealth bill amending the Fair Work Act, and civil litigation in the Supreme Court challenging the EBA.

“And now, volunteer members are declining and prospective members have little incentive to join.”

State Emergency Service (SES) funding has also been cut by $1.25 million, according to the Productivity Commission’s report.

Friday, February 3, 2017