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Nationals slam Andrews ban on Opposition officiating at CFA eventsNationals Members have slammed the Andrews Government for its ban on allowing Opposition members of parliament from officially participating in CFA events. Read the full article. By Portal Admin - 29th August 2016 - Back to News Nationals Members have slammed the Andrews Government for its ban on allowing Opposition members of parliament from officially participating in CFA events.
"First Daniel Andrews blocks a Nationals MP from being sworn into parliament and now he is blocking those of us in Opposition from officially speaking at CFA events – another example of this Premier’s bullying tactics to stamp out opposing views," Member for Eastern Victoria Region Melina Bath said.
The email leaked from angry CFA volunteers, trying to ban National and Liberal MPs from speaking at their local CFA Brigades, has caused anger amongst volunteers and their local representatives.
"Daniel Andrews had politicised the CFA and has sacked or blocked anyone who dares to get in his way or disagree with his point of view," Ms Bath said.
Member for Gippsland South Danny O’Brien said as regional members of parliament the CFA was embedded in country communities.
"We know these volunteers – they are our relatives, our friends and in my case I am myself a CFA member - to try and ban us from engaging with our constituents this way is just ridiculous," Mr O’Brien said.
Both Ms Bath and Mr O’Brien visited Ruby CFA today to discuss current issues and training programs.
"I find it interesting that Daniel Andrews is so concerned our presence at these CFA stations is such a threat," Mr O’Brien said.
"This morning on 3AW radio the newly appointed CFA CEO Frances Diver said she couldn’t name any examples of an Opposition member abusing their time at a CFA function for political purposes.
"I know we are working hard to listen to our CFA volunteers concerns and work with them unlike this Labor Government which has treated 60,000 volunteers with contempt and put the safety of Victorians at risk."
Nationals MPs Danny O’Brien and Melina Bath with Ruby CFA volunteers Darren Hardacre and Aaron Perks.
Media Contact: Renee Switzer 5174 7066 Member for Eastern Victoria Region Melina Bath
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: support@gippsland.com

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