VFBV has received a number of inquiries and positive feedback about some radio ads that are being run to express concern regarding the government’s plan to restructure the service. Whilst the comments are highly positive about the advertisements and associated media coverage, and clearly the advertisements raise a similar concern to what VFBV has been saying for some time, the advertisement campaign is independent from VFBV.
Yesterday, Mr Jack Rush QC explained the background and concerns underpinning the campaign on the 3AW Neil Mitchell morning program (click here to listen to the interview) and outlined that the campaign was being run with the support of a range of community people across country and city Victoria who are concerned about the consequences of a policy that, as he described, will emasculate CFA.
Whilst the advertisements being run by the campaign Jack Rush referred to is not a VFBV activity nor is it funded in any way by VFBV, we are pleased that after many years of being the only prominent voice drawing attention to the dangers of restructuring the CFA, others have now started to follow suit in their own right.
With regard to any 3rd party campaigning (including the radio ads we have heard recently), Members should not shy away from supporting others who raise concerns consistent with those VFBV have spoken about for some time. The advertisements are apolitical and draw attention to a major policy concern shared by VFBV.
In particular, VFBV shares the view that:
- Every Victorian needs to know that Premier Daniel Andrews recently confirmed that he still wants Parliament to pass the Bill it rejected at Easter to restructure the CFA if he is still Premier after the election.
- Victoria will be less able to manage large-scale disasters if CFA is dismantled and the FRV model goes ahead.
- The Community should ask every Candidate to explain their view of Premier Andrews’ continued push to dismantle the CFA before voting on 24 November.
Quite separately, VFBV State President Nev Jones has voiced two messages for radio to thank CFA Volunteers for their work and remind the public to get ready for summer. These messages are part of our usual effort to support other fire season preparedness messages.
You can listen to the VFBV radio messages here:
You will note that Nev refers to a website at www.SupportCFAVolunteers.com.au That website will be updated regularly with useful information and tools of interest to the general public, rather than the more technical policy and membership issues that will continue to be available on www.vfbv.com.au
Please share the address www.SupportCFAVolunteers.com.au with as many colleagues, family and friends as possible and strongly encourage them to register as a supporter of CFA Volunteers.
