Cindy McLeish MLA
STATEWIDE: We will restore CFA – McLeish
Saturday, July 4, 2020
Cindy McLeish, Eildon MLA, along with her Liberal National colleagues, have committed to restoring the Country Fir Authority following what they call “the union led takeover legislated by Labor Premier, Daniel Andrews”.
“A Michael O’Brien-led Liberal Nationals government will guarantee to restore the Country Fire Authority as an independent fire authority – one that respects the volunteers who protect our communities,” said Ms McLeish.
“Local volunteer fire brigades have been protecting our community in the face of bushfires and danger for well over 100 years – from the devastating bushfires of Ash Wednesday and Black Saturday through to the bushfires earlier this year that greatly impacted our community.
“City centric Daniel Andrews has thrown the CFA volunteers under the bus by signing off on the commencement of union-led Fire Rescue Victoria, muscling out the CFA as an independent and equal firefighting service.
“Bushfires are a very real threat to our community, something we know all too well. It is a devastating blow to our community to see the CFA, which has worked so hard to protect us for so many years, disassembled in this way.
“My family has long been involved with the CFA and I greatly respect and admire the selfless work they do.”
The Liberal Nationals announced that within the first 100 days of being elected, they will introduce legislation to restore the CFA’s power to select, recruit and manage its own staff and wear the CFA uniform.
Legislation will enhance the CFA’s powers and responsibilities for the ongoing delivery of fire services in current CFA areas.
Victoria had lost 3955 operational volunteers since Daniel Andrews started his war on CFA volunteers in 2014.
“We have seen CFA volunteer numbers across Victoria significantly decline since the Daniel Andrews takeover. This is simply not good enough.
“We need to show our respect and our support of the CFA. This is why the Liberal Nationals vow to back the CFA and reinstate their independence and former entitlements if elected,” Ms McLeish said.