Victoria’s chief fire officer, Joe Buffone, has resigned from the Country Fire Authority in protest over the industrial agreement with the United Firefighters Union, saying it has “compromised” his ability to do his job.
Buffone joined CFA chief executive, Lucinda Nolan, and the emergency services minister, Jane Garrett, in resigning in protest over the deal, which also prompted the sacking of the CFA board.
It comes as volunteer firefighters prepare to ramp up their campaign against Labor in the federal election, with 10,000 uniformed volunteers reportedly planning to protest at polling stations on Saturday.
The prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has campaigned heavily on the issue in Victoria. RMIT University political expert David Hayward told Guardian Australia the campaign had severely affected Labor’s chances of picking up marginal semi-rural seats in Victoria, such as Corangamite in Geelong, which earlier in the eight-week campaign they had hoped to win.
In a statement to CFA volunteers and employees on Thursday, Buffone said he felt unable to fulfil his legislated responsibilities as chief fire officer under the new deal.
“In my opinion I am now in circumstances where my ability to effectively carry out my role is compromised by an industrial agreement,” he said.
“In addition, it impedes my vision for CFA as a modern, contemporary and inclusive emergency service.
“I believe the agreement will tie the hands of those who are obliged by law to protect the safety of Victorians.”
Statement from departing CFA chief fire officer Joe Buffone confirming exit linked to union-friendly proposed EBA pic.twitter.com/L0Ov82hc0X
— Rick Wallace (@rickwallaceoz) June 29, 2016
The bitter industrial dispute has now claimed the entire leadership of Victoria’s primary bushfire fighting agency.
The premier, Daniel Andrews, pushed through the deal, which was approved by the Fair Work Commission, earlier this month, appointing a new board after the old one said they could not accept a deal they believed would “undermine volunteers” and the culture of the CFA.
About 97% of the CFA’s 60,000 firefighters are volunteers. The enterprise bargaining agreement with the United Firefighters Union would give the organisation’s 800-odd professional firefighters a 19% pay rise over three years, but also mandates the creation of a “consultative committee” which the CFA maintains would give the union veto powers over operational decisions.
Buffone and 13 other senior operational staff said in a statement before the government approved the enterprise bargaining agreement that a number of the conditions were “likely unlawful” and they were “unable to sign the proposed EBA in its current form.”
The new emergency services minister, deputy premier James Merlino, hit back at Buffone, claiming he had offered to withdraw his resignation in exchange for a pay rise and equal status with the organisation’s as yet un-recruited incoming chief executive.
“Mr Buffone’s decision to resign was his and his alone,” Merlino said in a statement on Thursday, adding that he had “both privately and publicly expressed my confidence in Mr Buffone” since taking on the emergency services portfolio.
He then outlined what he described “highly unusual” demands by Buffone, allegedly put by his lawyer to the CFA on Wednesday.
“The government is disappointed by the circumstances surrounding Mr Buffone’s resignation,” Merlino said. “It does not serve the best interests of CFA staff, or career and volunteer firefighters.
According to Merlino, Buffone tendered his resignation on Tuesday but was prepared to withdraw it in exchange for equal status and equal pay as the chief executive.
In an interview with 3AW radio Buffone said it was “absolutely incorrect” to say he resigned over money, saying his request for equal standing was to better enable him to fulfil his legislative responsibilities under the proposed EBA, not about status.
Buffone and Nolan, a former deputy commissioner of Victoria Police, were both appointed by the Andrews government in October.
At the time the United Firefighters Union opposed Buffone’s appointment because he had never worked as a professional firefighter. He had, however, spent 15 years as a volunteer firefighter and 25 years working in the emergency management sector.
