Victorian firefighters urge voters to put Labor last in election blow

Key facts

• Firefighters are urging voters to put the Labor government last in the November 28 election.
• The union plans a significant advertising spend and will hand out material at polling booths.
• The UFU cited concerns over the government's constitutional arguments that could strip enforceable minimum staffing from firefighters.
• The union stated that One Nation's policy response was the most detailed and profound among those approached.

The United Firefighters Union (UFU) is actively campaigning for voters to place the incumbent Labor government last in the upcoming November 28 Victorian election. This campaign, involving significant advertising and on-the-ground efforts, stems from the government's legal arguments in the Fair Work Commission that the union claims could undermine enforceable minimum staffing levels for firefighters and potentially other public sector workers. UFU Victorian branch secretary Peter Marshall stated that the union has approached all parties and found One Nation's policy response to be the most detailed. The union is also considering disaffiliating from the Victorian Labor Party.