LABOR could lose the next state election over the CFA dispute, a Winslow volunteer says.
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More than 100 volunteers marched at a rally in Warrnambool on Friday, protesting against a pay deal for paid professional firefighters they fear will extinguish their roles. The paid firefighters’ union has denied an agreement would reduce the roles of volunteers, saying they are integral in firefighting.
But Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) District Five councillor Owen O’Keefe said Premier Daniel Andrews could serve one term in government.
“We will try to make things difficult for the next state election,” he said.
“Andrews is only in power with a couple of metropolitan seats. We have a lot of volunteers and a lot of friends and people supporting us.
“The next state election could be pretty interesting. Andrews could well serve only one term of government over this single issue.”
Mr O’Keefe said he was disappointed for former emergency services minister Jane Garrett, who resigned from her position on Friday morning.
“She was a very honourable woman,” he said.
“She stuck to her guns and she stuck up for volunteers.”
He said the volunteers would continue to support their local communities.
“We won’t resign,” he said.
“We aren’t in it for pay or glamour or anything else. We will try to make things difficult for the next state election.”
The rally was organised by member for South West Coast Roma Britnell.
The volunteers chanted ‘hands off CFA’ as the group made its way to Cannon Hill where supporters listened to Mrs Britnell, opposition emergency services spokesman Brad Battin, Dan Tehan MP, VFBV chief executive Andrew Ford, Mr O’Keefe and volunteers Hugh McFarlane and Joy Howley.
VFBV board member and Moyne Shire councillor Jill Parker addressed supporters.
“We are used to reporting very quickly when we are needed, and that’s one of the benefits of the CFA, we can get a lot of people in a particular place where they are required at very short notice.”
She has been on the VFBV board since October.
“Our organisation is not encumbered by the government, so therefore they can’t dismiss us,” Ms Parker said.
“We are our own entity and as such we will continue to work for the volunteers.”