Daniel Andrews was determined to avoid controversy with a CFA volunteer who ensured he was seen during the premier’s visit to Wangaratta.
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The Boorhaman fire truck was originally parked right next to where Mr Andrews was scheduled to speak at Wangaratta Saleyards at 9am.
The driver refused to move when asked by administrators, but CFA staff convinced him to shift it 30 metres away.
Mr Andrews did not enter the saleyards until the truck moved, 10 minutes after the event’s scheduled start time.
Firefighters were warned to keep vehicles away from the event, but the volunteer cheekily used the excuse he was just taking the truck for its weekly run.
He would not speak on the record, but made it clear he was unhappy with the Victorian government’s decision on the CFA workplace agreement.
Asked for his reaction to the presence of the Boorhaman truck, Mr Andrews said he could not say for sure the volunteer was making a stand.
“There’s a vehicle here, I don’t know whether that person’s making a statement or they were just driving the truck somewhere else,” he said. “We’ll stand by our records and we’ll continue to work hard investing, delivering and listening to regional communities - that’s the statement that’s being made today.”
South Wangaratta Fire Brigade captain Garry Nash said the presence of the truck at the saleyards was the decision of the individual volunteer “who has his owns strong points of view”.
He said official discussions involved consultation with Emergency Services Minister James Merlino following the senate inquiry, not a protest.
“We’ll just work our way through it, so we’re not there to stir up anything at the present time,” Mr Nash said.
“It’s in the legal process now so let’s hope common sense prevails there and there’s a good outcome for everybody.”
Mr Andrews said the CFA dispute should not be turned into a “political football”.
“My experience of local brigades in this community, talking to a local captain just last night, they’re very much focused on the coming fire season,” he said.
“This dispute needed to come to an end, this dispute was a real barrier to bringing about the cultural change that brigade after brigade want to see happen.”
New federal laws protecting CFA volunteers will be challenged by United Firefighters Union in the High Court.
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria has also launched Supreme Court action against the CFA's proposed enterprise agreement.
“There’s no need for that court action, but I don’t want to be drawn into too much of a commentary,” Mr Andrews said.
