Member for Morwell Russell Northe has expressed his disappointment at the Country Fire Authority “banning” State Opposition politicians from officially participating in medal ceremonies and brigade dinners.
The CFA sent an email to volunteers and staff on Wednesday, reminding brigades they could invite members of the Opposition to brigade events but they “are not able to have any official role”.
“This includes making speeches at station openings, truck handovers, medal presentations, brigade dinners and the like,” the email read.
Mr Northe said Opposition or not, it was “entirely appropriate as the local member of Parliament you are there (at official events) to represent the community and recognise the efforts of our firefighters”.
He said he had for many years enjoyed attending a number of events across the CFA community, including Morwell and Traralgon fire brigades’ recent annual award ceremonies.
He said any directive or block put in place to prevent Opposition attendance was “not only disappointing from my perspective, but a slap in the face to firefighters.”
A CFA spokesperson told The Express there was no such ban.
“CFA is apolitical. The email in question simply reinforced a long held protocol ensuring CFA assets and brigades are not used for political purposes,” the spokesperson said.
“CFA fire stations and equipment are government owned community assets which should be used for the purpose they were intended – protecting the community.
“It is important they remain free from politicking and electioneering.”
