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United Firefighters Union of Australia
Victorian Branch

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NEWS UPDATES

Welcome to the latest important news on all things United Firefighters Union Political Action Committee.

30th March 2026

Ballarat’s professional firefighters were down at ballarat train station for the opening of the new walkway and to talk to the community about the state of our fire services. There were some great interactions and the community was very receptive to the information firefighters were talking about.

– $2.14 billion raised by the new emergency services and volunteers tax, but front line services aren’t receiving this.

– $114.9 million cut from FRVs budget, $42 million cut from CFA

– 65% or 162 of FRVs fire trucks are past their life span.

– The Allan government has spent over $10 million on lawyers trying to strip firefighters of their workplace conditions.

These issues affect all Victorians and are very real. Even though one of Juliana Addison MP assistants referred to fire fighters handing out information as “fake news”, it will not stop firefighters from voicing their concerns and letting the community know about what this government is doing.

26th March 2026

Firefighters were out and about in Mildura this morning — letterbox dropping and speaking directly with the community about the Allan Labor Government’s fire crisis.

Over 750 households are now aware of the growing concerns, including what many see as ongoing neglect from their Upper House representative Jaclyn Symes and the rest of the Allan Labor government.

 

This crisis impacts all Victorians. In Mildura alone, we’ve seen:

*  4 months without an aerial appliance.

This has directly impacted firefighting operations as far as Sea Lake (188km away), and limited the ability to assist paramedics with local patient extractions.

*  4 months without a reserve appliance.

At least 6 times in 2026, Mildura and surrounding areas have had NO FRV response available for over 2 hours. During summer heatwaves, there were also 14 days where additional crews had no truck to respond in.

*  No trench rescue capability.

A tradie working in a trench may have to wait 5+ hours for assistance from Ballarat if something goes wrong.

*  minimal local HAZMAT capability.

In the event of a chemical incident, the community could face hours waiting for specialist support from Ballarat.

This is a serious issue affecting community safety — and it’s not just a Mildura problem. It’s a Victoria-wide concern.

Your safety shouldn’t depend on your postcode.

21st March 2026

Members helping spread the important message at the Yarraville Community Festival.It was wonderful to see such great participation and engagement with the community who are shocked at the terrible situation with fire services created by the current labor government.

20th March 2026

Members spreading the message to the community of Preston

60% of Fire Trucks past their use by date

Over 40 trucks off the road week on end

Trucks breaking down on the way to fires and at fires

Funding cuts in the face of a massive increase in emergency services taxes which are not going to the fire service. Instead propping up labor party neglect and debt.

And so much more. Make  your vote count and send a message to the government to fix the massive problem they have created.

20th March 2026

UFU Members pounding the pavement to get the message to the community that the current ALP Government has run down the fire services to a point where the ability to support the community is massively compromised and everyone is at risk. Firefighters continue their efforts in campaigning for a properly funded and resourced Fire Service. Jacinta Allan is forcing Firefighters to attend emergencies in Fire Trucks that are over 30 years old! Victorians deserve better! #firecrisisvictoria #victoria #melbourne #sunbury

March 20 2026

Our members are out in Cranbourne sharing the message of the terrible failings and failed promises of the Victorian Labor Government. 

Here we remind the community that the Clyde North was promised a Fire Rescue Victoria station by the end of 2023.

It’s now 2026 — and there’s still nothing.
In that time, right across the road from where that station should be, a townhouse fire tore through six garages and a car. Lives put at risk. Property lost. A response stretched thinner than it should ever be.
This isn’t an isolated issue — it’s happening right across Melbourne’s south east. Rapidly growing communities are being left under-resourced and underfunded when they need protection the most.
All while locals are now paying double the Emergency Services Tax under the Allan Government.
Victorians are paying more — and getting less.
Enough is enough.

March 14 2026

Huge support from the local community today as Members took their campaign for a better Fire Service to the Pakenham Show. The community agrees, why are Victorians paying a higher tax that is failing to deliver an effective, fit for purpose Fire Service! Jacinta Allan and Labor are leaving firefighters and the community at risk, forced to rely on 30 year old Trucks! #firecrisisvictoria #pakenhamshow #melbourne

13th March 2026

Melton Firefighters are holding their local MP to account. Will Steve McGhie speak out on Victoria’s Fire Crisis?

Treasurer Symes, Premier Allan and Minister Ward have driven and overseen the decay of our essential fire services. They need to act to fix this terrible situation to remove the massive risk that Victorians are facing each and everyday

TO WATCH AND IMPORTANT MESSAGE FRO THE MEMBERS PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO THE RIGHT.

 #Firecrisis #melton #victoria #melbourne #firetruck

7th March 2026:

Ballarat’s professional firefighters were out at the Begonia festival talking to the community about the lack of support from the Allan government, the ESV tax, broken fire trucks and community safety. Thank you to the many who came down to say hi and show your support to our firefighters.

Premier Allan, Treasurer Symes and Minister Ward. You have overseen and are responsible for the decay in our fire services and must take responsibility and be accountable. 

4th March 2026

Firefighters hit the streets of Port Melbourne to hold local Member of Parliament, Nina Taylor MP, accountable for failing to speak out on Community Safety issues when it comes to Victoria’s Fire Truck Crisis.


#firecrisisvictoria #portmelbourne #Victoria #grandprix

27th February 2026

Today the UFU Political Action Campaign (PAC) was out at the Eltham Jazz Festival, speaking with locals about what’s really happening to their fire services — and where their emergency services tax money is actually going.

It was a valuable opportunity to have honest conversations with the community about the need for properly funded, reliable fire services. Many were surprised to learn that their local MP, Vicki Ward — who is also the Emergency Services Minister — continues to ignore the serious concerns being raised by firefighters.

Separately, firefighters from Fire Station 82 Eltham City were stationed nearby, giving kids the chance to get up close to a fire truck and meet their local firefighters.

A fantastic day all round, with strong community engagement and support

Local firefighters are taking a stand for a better fire service, highlighting the urgent need for updated equipment and trucks. The community deserves modern resources to ensure safety and efficiency, not outdated tools that are not fit for purpose.

Feb 27th 2026:

Victoria’s Fire Services Are Underfunded & Not Fit For Purpose. Hold Your Local MP To Account!

Members meeting with the community to help them understand what is really happening with the dire state of Victorian Fire Services which is not what the Victorian ALP Government want you to believe. 

February 14 2026:

Members of the UFU, CFA Volunteers Group and the Across Victoria Alliance spent their Valentine’s Day out in the community — talking to Victorians about what’s really happening to their fire services.
This time, we were campaigning on the border of Jacinta Allan’s own electorate of Bendigo East.
The response? Overwhelmingly supportive.
We had countless conversations about:
💰 An Emergency Services Tax that’s doubling
🚒 Fire trucks that are past their service life
🧑🏻‍🚒 Fire services that are under-equipped and under-resourced
Victorians are paying more — but not seeing the investment where it matters most: frontline emergency response.

This was just the first of many upcoming community actions. The UFU, CFA Volunteers Group and the Across Victoria Alliance are standing together to ensure Victorians get the fire services they deserve

VICTORIA IS NOT BUSHFIRE READY

Victorians are being told to pay twice as much in Emergency Services Tax — yet our fire services are being left under-resourced, under-prepared and pushed to breaking point.
The United Firefighters Union, the CFA Volunteer Group and the Across Australia Alliance have come together to say what the Allan Government refuses to acknowledge:
Our fire services are not ready for the next major bushfire and communities are being put at risk.
🚒Out-of-date fire trucks.
🔧Critical equipment failures.
🧑🏻‍🚒Volunteers stretched beyond sustainable limits.
This is not preparedness — it is negligence.
Premier Jacinta Allan is asking Victorians to pay more while delivering less protection, all while trading on the trusted names of firefighters and volunteers.
That trust is being abused.
We have written an open letter to the Premier because lives are at stake. History has already shown what happens in Victoria when governments ignore warnings from those on the frontline.
Read the open letter.
Share it.
Demand better.
Because when the next fire starts, the Premiers spin won’t save lives.

To read the full letter given to the Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan – Click on the Graphic Below

BALLARAT | UFU POLITICAL ACTION CAMPAIGN

UFU members in Ballarat have taken part in a Political Action Campaign (PAC) calling on the Allan Labor Government to scrap the flawed Emergency Services Tax.

Victorians are being forced to pay up to twice as much tax, yet Fire Rescue Victoria faces a $114 million funding cut.

That’s enough money to replace more than 100 fire trucks — at a time when over 64% of Victoria’s fire fleet is already beyond its service life, just months out from bushfire season.

This is not reform. It’s reckless.

Today’s action in Ballarat is just one of many PACs planned across Victoria to inform Victorians ahead of the upcoming state election about the Allan Labor Government’s lack of investment in fire services — and the real risks this creates for community safety.

The Allan Government Slashes, Victoria Burns

Breaking Update
A big shout out to the voters of Ballarat who stopped and had a chat and listen to us at the Ballarat Xmas Market on the 20/12. 

It’s fantastic to see the engagement and hear first-hand their support for our rightful cause.

We need your support, this Victorian ALP Government refuses to listen, placing lives in jeopardy. Together we can drive the change that is right for our community.

POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE UPDATE – MESSAGE TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT & vICTORIAN COMMUNITY

UFU delegates from across Victoria came together at Victorian Trades Hall to plan the next phase of our Political Action Campaign — fighting for firefighter safety and the safety of every Victorian.
Across the state, UFU Political Action Committees (PACs) are now forming to lead local campaigns — informing communities that while Victorians are paying double in emergency service tax, their fire service is being gutted by funding cuts, leaving firefighters with out-of-date trucks and inadequate equipment.
Firefighters are organising, mobilising, and standing together — because when our fire service is under attack, it’s the community that pays the price. ALLAN GOVERNMENT SLASHES, VICTORIA BURNS.

Firefighters Stand Strong At the Eltham Community Festival for a Properly Funded Fire Service!

Despite the gloomy weather, firefighters stood strong, rallying for a properly funded fire service!
There was overwhelming public support as they took their campaign to the streets of Minister Vicki Ward’s electorate.
Firefighters will not stand by as the mismanagement of our Fire Service continues, it is time for Jacinta Allan and Vicki Ward acts on Victoria’s Fire Crisis.

november 1st the long campaign continues:

On Saturday the 1st of November UFU members participated in a PAC (Political action committee) event at a local retail outlet. Hundreds of flyers were handed out and lots of conversations were had with the community.

Action like this has a huge impact politically. It leaves a real, lasting, impression on the community members we speak to. Local stories, by local Firefighters make this campaign real for people.

Action like this also sends a very strong message to the local MP’s, we are active and we are organised.

Thank you to the members who attended, especially UFU delegate Simon Thomas who organised the day.

Pascoe Vale Community
11 October 2025

Today firefighters engaged with the community of Pascoe Vale Electorate asking that they hold their local MP Anthony Cianflone accountable for the Fire Services Crisis Victoria is experiencing.

Thank you to our dedicated team for bringing the message to the community. We are extremely grateful to the many community members who took the time to hear our message to make a difference for firefighters and community safety at the election.

Eltham Community – 2 October 2025

 Over 100 Operational Firefighters and Corporate Members took to the community of Eltham on 2 October 2025 to raise public awareness about the significant increase in the new Emergency Services tax, $100 million + of budget cuts in the Victorian fire service, and the Victorian Government spend over $10 million in private law firms to remove firefighters’ protections – putting at risk both firefighting crews and critical response required to protect the community.

If you took a flyer or had a conversation with us, thank you!

If you didn’t see us, you can view and share our flyer below.

CLICK HERE

Please follow us on social media to see when we’re in your community

Northcote Community – 2 October 2025

Around 100 Operational Firefighters and Corporate Members took to the ALP’s most marginal Victorian seat, Northcote, on 2 October 2025 to raise public awareness about the significant increase in the new Emergency Services tax, $100 million + of budget cuts in the Victorian fire service, and the Victorian Government spend over $10 million in private law firms to remove firefighters’ protections – putting at risk both firefighting crews and critical response required to protect the community.

If you took a flyer or had a conversation with us, thank you!

If you didn’t see us, you can view and share our flyer below.

 CLICK HERE

Please follow us on social media to see when we’re in your community. 

Flinders Street Station:

Thursday 23rd October – From 7am to 6pm, over 50 members engaged with the community at Flinders Street Station, holding conversations and distributing fliers outlining the crisis our Fire Service is in.

Over 25,000 fliers were handed out as conversations with the community took place. The feedback from the community was overwhelmingly supportive of our campaign for a better Fire Service in Victoria.