Victoria's CFA expects to get handed the terms of a controversial pay deal on Thursday - one it is set to reject.
The CFA has already rejected one proposed agreement with the United Firefighters Union because it believed some clauses were unlawful.
But Premier Daniel Andrews wants the deal done this week and is expected to hand down the same terms on Thursday.
He said the agreement included extra oversight from Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley, who would make sure it was implemented properly.
"That's fair, that's reasonable, that's a way forward," Mr Andrews told Triple M radio on Wednesday.
If the CFA is handed the same deal, even with Mr Lapsley's involvement, it's understood the board is set to reject it again.
The volunteer-based organisation opposes a "consultation clause" it fears will hand the union a veto over management decisions.
But the union says a "dispute resolution officer" position has been included to give some ground to the CFA.
Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett also has concerns about the detail and has backed the CFA not to sign it.
Ms Garrett put her career on the line to stop the deal being pushed through cabinet on Monday.
Asked about his relationship with Ms Garrett, Mr Andrews said he was focused on ending the three-year industrial dispute.
"Leave all the drama and theatre and usual rough and tumble of politics aside ... outcomes matter," Mr Andrews said.
He faced a barrage of questions about the CFA in Question Time from a rowdy opposition, while an impassive Ms Garrett looked on.
Government ministers laughed off a report a leadership spill had been considered, with Attorney-General Martin Pakula describing it as "bull****".
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has backed CFA volunteers and promised to change the Fair Work Act to support them if re-elected in July.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten says it is a state issue, but did say he had met the firefighters union secretary.
He wouldn't confirm if he had spoken to Mr Andrews about the negotiations.
Treasurer Tim Pallas said the deal would cost about $160 million extra over four years, but the CFA believes it could get closer to $1 billion.
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