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Country Fire Authority Amendment
(Protecting Volunteer Firefighters)
Bill 2016
Introduction Print
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
This Bill makes amendments to the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 to
strengthen the Volunteers Charter and deliver protection for CFA volunteers.
This Bill provides further clarification of the Volunteer Charter to ensure the
CFA board and management comply with the commitment and principles
set out in the Charter. The Bill will retain the focus of CFA and enforce
management to work to retain, recruit and support volunteers to deliver the
surge capacity required in Victoria.
Clause Notes
Clause 1 sets out the purpose of the Bill, which is to amend the Country
Fire Authority Act 1958 to ensure the protection of volunteer
firefighters rights under the Volunteer Charter.
Clause 2 provides for the commencement of the Bill. The clause specifies
that the Act is to commence operation on the day after the Bill
receives Royal Assent.
Clause 3 provides for the substitution of section 6H of the Principal Act,
which requires the Country Fire Authority (CFA), in performing
its functions, to comply with the Volunteer Charter.
Section 6H(1) requires the CFA, in performing its functions, to
have regard to the commitment and principles set out in the
Volunteer Charter.
581PM23 1 BILL LC INTRODUCTION 6/2/2017
Section 6H(2) requires the CFA, without limiting the generality
of section 6H(1) not to enter into any deed, agreement or other
arrangement that could have an adverse affect on the interests of
volunteer officers and members under the Volunteer Charter
(section 6H(2)(a)) or prevent any Commonwealth or Victorian
law from protecting the interests of volunteer officers and
members under the Volunteer Charter (section 6H(2)(b)).
Section 6H(3) renders any deed, agreement or other
arrangement entered into in contravention of section 6H(1)
or section 6H(2) void.
Clause 4 provides for the automatic repeal of this amending Bill on the
first anniversary of its commencement. The repeal of this Bill
will not affect in any way the operation of the amendments made
by this Bill (see section 15(1) of the Interpretation of
Legislation Act 1984).
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