A controversial pay deal for Victoria's professional CFA firefighters will be blocked if the coalition wins the federal election, on grounds that it is discriminatory.
Premier Daniel Andrews sacked the CFA board last week to push through a deal with the United Firefighters Union, despite the government's own lawyers saying the agreement is unlawful.
Federal Employment Minister Michaelia Cash says if re-elected she will use all available powers to stop the CFA enterprise bargaining agreement.
"I will seek leave to intervene in the Fair Work Commission to oppose the approval of the EBA on the grounds that it contains discriminatory terms," Ms Cash said on Wednesday.
The state government's own senior counsel said the deal breached Victorian human rights laws because it discriminated against women and part-time workers.
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Ms Cash said the deal was open to legal challenge in the Federal Court.
The sacked CFA board opposed the pay deal because they believed it handed over too much power to the union's 800 firefighters, ahead of the CFA's 60,000 volunteers.
Mr Andrews said the former board had no strategy for the future, and their concerns about a consultation clause being a "veto" were overblown.
He again refused to back chief executive Lucinda Nolan, who Labor hand-picked last year to lead the CFA.
"The CEO of any organisation is rightfully chosen and supported or otherwise by the board," Mr Andrews told reporters.
Almost 200 CFA volunteers in 40 trucks turned up to Mr Andrews' media event in Ararat on Wednesday morning to protest against the deal.
Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said there had been a "disappointing and difficult debate" over the CFA deal, but he believed there was a prospect of resolution.
Former emergency services minister Jane Garrett resigned on Friday rather than support the deal.
Mr Andrews said he expects to have a new board in place by the end of the week, even though four of the eight members must be volunteer representatives, usually chosen by the Volunteer Fire Brigade Association, which is opposed to the deal.
