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Vic fire services reforms pass parliament

Victoria's controversial fire service reforms have passed parliament after years of political warfare.

Victorian firefighters.
Victoria's fire services reform, separating volunteer-only and paid agencies, has passed parliament. (AAP) Source: AAP

Victoria's fire services will be overhauled after controversial changes passed parliament, ending years of political warfare.

The bill will combine the Metropolitan Fire Brigade with paid Country Fire Authority staff to create Fire Rescue Victoria, with the CFA becoming volunteer-only.

Presumptive cancer compensation rights for firefighters are also included in the bill.

It passed on Thursday night in the Labor government's second attempt to overhaul the state's fire services.

Last year the coalition scuttled a similar bill when debate spilled over into Good Friday and two opposition MPs were excused for religious reasons only to return at the last minute to vote it down.

Debate on reforming the state's fire services has rages for years, causing division between volunteer and career sectors and a revolving door in leadership ranks.


1 min read

Published

Updated

Presented by Justin Sungil Park

Source: AAP



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