Vic premier faces firefighters questions

Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews has again been grilled on allegations of secret promises to the state's firefighters' union during budget estimates hearings.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews during a budget estimates hearing.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews was grilled by a budget estimates hearing over union dealings. (AAP)

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews continues to deny claims of secret deals with the state's powerful United Firefighters Union or that he's sought legal advice on claims to the contrary.

Mr Andrews was grilled on the controversial and ongoing firefighters' pay deal during a budget estimates hearing on Tuesday.

Union secretary Peter Marshall has previously said a deal was struck at the last election and threatened to reveal details.

"Why would he be saying there are more promises?" Public Accounts and Estimates committee member and Nationals MP Danny O'Brien asked.

"I'm asking specifically about those promises that were secret, that Mr Marshall says you have made, not the publicly on the record ones."

Mr Andrews said the only promises made were to provide more firefighters, equipment and resources.

"The only commitments that have been made by our government are those which are on the public record," the premier said.

Mr Andrews also denied Mr Marshall was in possession of a secret recording of him or that he had sought legal advice against the union official's claims.

The Andrews Labor government's first term has been dogged by the heated fight to get new pay deals for both the Country Fire Authority and Metropolitan Fire Brigade, which has seen a minister resign, a board sacked and other officials leave.

Mr Marshall's renewed pressure on Mr Andrews came as a new chief officer from the UK was appointed to the MFB.


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Source: AAP


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