Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

In relation to the current case before the Victorian Supreme Court, this is very important to understand: the Supreme Court is considering an issue that is separate from those that will be addressed by what we are doing here tonight—by the proposed amendments in our bill.

In terms of the action that has been taken by the VFBV in the Victorian Supreme Court, that action deals firstly with whether the failure to properly consult with volunteers and the terms of the proposed enterprise agreement itself conflict with the CFA board's responsibilities under the CFA Act; and secondly, if this is the case, whether this means the CFA board is operating beyond its statutory powers in seeking to enter into the agreement. That is separate to what our bill is going to do. Our bill will determine what clauses can be included in an enterprise agreement that is approved under the federal Fair Work Act and ensure that recognised volunteer bodies affected by the bill will be heard on such an agreement. So in terms of our proposal, the government's proposed amendments go directly to the issue.