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

Mr President, unlike Senator Cameron, we on this side will continue to stand side by side with the 60,000 volunteers in the Victorian CFA.

On top of Ms Nolan's evidence to the inquiry, she was joined by former CFA chief fire officer Joe Buffone. He told the inquiry that the EBA dispute with the United Firefighters Union had severely inhibited his role and made it untenable. Mr President, these people give up their lives sometimes to ensure that the people of Victoria are safe. If we did not have volunteers in Australia, quite frankly, where would we be?

Senator Cameron interjecting—

As Sue Noble, CEO of Volunteering Victoria, has stated:

In rural areas, volunteers in the emergency services are connected and contribute across their communities in ways that extend far beyond fighting fires. Devaluing the work of volunteers will act in the same way as pulling a linchpin from the axle of these communities …

Mr President, we will back the volunteers every step of the way. (Time expired)