AN Indi Labor campaign member has repeated her concern about the Country Fire Authority crisis being used for political gain after a Cathy McGowan volunteer was captured wearing a CFA cap at a pre-poll centre.
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Labor has already taken Greg Mirabella to task for wearing his CFA cap at the Wodonga and Wangaratta pre-poll centres in the final week of the election campaign.
But The Border Mail has been sent a photo showing a Ms McGowan volunteer handing out how-to-vote cards in Wodonga on Wednesday wearing a CFA cap.
Labor's Lauren McCully, who is also a CFA volunteer, called on Ms McGowan to ensure her supporters were also following a directive not to wear CFA uniform at polling booths.
The directive was made by Joe Buffone, who quit as the CFA's chief officer on Thursday.
"The CFA directive made last Friday was very clear," Ms McCully said.
"Any part of the CFA uniform, which distinguished you as a CFA volunteer, is not to be worn at polling booths when handing out how-to-vote cards.
"I would call upon Cathy McGowan to ensure her volunteers are complying with that directive.
"The CFA issue is very emotive, but it is a state issue.
"It doesn't matter what political party or candidate you are supporting, I would expect CFA volunteers to respect the directive given by the former chief officer.
"As a CFA volunteer myself, I am respecting that directive."
Ms McGowan’s campaign director Phil Haines said: “We have asked all volunteers not to wear CFA material if they are part of Cathy’s campaign or handing out how To vote cards”.
“But this is somewhat at odds with this man's colleagues who have all taken me to task and told me I can’t wear a CFA cap.”
Mr Mirabella, who has already fired back at the Labor comments made about him, said he was surprised a Ms McGowan supporter would also wear a CFA cap at a pre-polling centre.
"I make the wry observation that perhaps some in the Orange camp deem the CFA issue to be important," he said.
“But this is somewhat at odds with this man's colleagues who have all taken me to task and told me I can’t wear a CFA cap.”
The man who confronted Mr Mirabella at the Wodonga pre-poll centre on Monday complaining about him wearing a CFA cap has been revealed as paid fire-fighter, Mark Sharrock.