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Northe continues fight for CFA volunteers

Russell Northe has continued the fight in Parliament this week on behalf of local Country Fie Authority volunteers.

By news@gippsland - 10th May 2016 - Back to News

Mr Northe said local CFA volunteers have expressed extreme concern that Premier Daniel Andrews interference in Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) negotiations with the United Fire Fighters Union (UFU) will leave CFA volunteers worse off.

"I have been contacted by a number of local volunteers who were concerned that the functions and powers of the CFA would be diminished as part of this EBA agreement," Mr Northe said.

"We all acknowledge that career fire fighters deserve fair pay and conditions, but we don’t want to see a reduction in powers for the CFA hierarchy that would have a significant impact upon our volunteers."

Mr Northe was able to read out correspondence to the Parliament from a number of local CFA volunteers who had written directly to the Premier and the Minister about these matters.

Mr Northe said volunteers from Morwell, Traralgon East and Yallourn North amongst other brigades have made their views loud and clear to the State Government.

"Daniel Andrews does not appear to be considering the volunteers who have put their lives on the line to fight some of the worst fires in our region and indeed across Gippsland," Mr Northe said.

"The government should be under no illusion about how strongly communities across our region feel about this issue.

"We can all send a message to the Victorian Government that our CFA volunteers will not be taken for granted."

Mr Northe has launched a petition to show the community’s support for local volunteers, copies of the petition are available from Mr Northe’s electorate office, 66 George Street, Morwell or from his website www.russellnorthe.com.au/petitions/

Attached is a copy of Russell’s Parliament contribution and petition on the matter.

Media contact: 5133 9088

Office of Russell Northe MLA

Member for Morwell

Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs

Shadow Minister for Liquor and Gaming Regulation

Russell Northe MLA