The Victorian opposition leader, Brad Battin, along with United Firefighters Union (UFU) president Peter Marshall, have both denied any awareness of offensive slogans displayed on a fire truck during a protest rally in Melbourne. The rally, held on Sunday, was organised by Country Fire Authority (CFA) members opposing the government’s Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) Levy.
At the protest in Werribee, some fire trucks were found to carry derogatory slogans such as “ditch the bitch,” directed at Premier Jacinta Allan, and other phrases that included accusations against her regarding regional matters. Battin expressed to 9News that he had not seen these slogans and condemned such language, labelling it unacceptable. Deputy Liberal leader Sam Groth supported Battin, asserting that the fire trucks were stationed apart from the rally, and Battin was unaware of the offensive wording at that moment.
Marshall of the UFU also claimed ignorance regarding the slogans, with a spokesperson for the union firmly condemning the language, stating that the individuals responsible for the slogans were unrelated to the UFU and had not informed the union of their intentions. The spokesperson also mentioned that only the authorised slogans on UFU-branded placards were officially endorsed.
Following the backlash, the CFA announced that the inappropriate slogans would be removed, and the involved brigade acknowledged the seriousness of their conduct. A CFA representative stated that while they respect the rights of members to engage in community-related actions, it is essential to maintain established values and behavioural standards.
In light of these events, Jaclyn Symes, the Treasurer, sharply critiqued Battin, suggesting that he had ignored the sexist nature of the slogans. She argued that this incident reflected broader issues within the Liberal Party regarding respect for women, noting that many CFA volunteers have worked diligently to ensure a safe environment for female members. Moreover, Police Minister Anthony Carbines expressed his disgust, labelling the slogans as “appalling” and scrutinised Battin for not denouncing such behaviour associated with his party.
The incident has sparked significant controversy, highlighting ongoing tensions around gender respect within political and service organisations.