Former Victorian emergency services minister Jane Garrett to file formal complaint against firefighters’ union boss

Victorian MP Jane Garrett has confirmed she will make a formal complaint about the treatment and “distressing conduct” she has been forced to endure during her tenure as the state’s Minister for Emergency Services.

Ms Garrett resigned from the position in June shortly before Premier Daniel Andrews pushed the contentious CFA deal through cabinet.

Ms Garrett has been accused of being responsible for leaking sensitive documents about Mr Andrews and the firefighters’ union.

News Corp reported details of a note sent from one of the premier’s staff, stating that United Firefighters Union secretary Peter Marshall should be told to “be more respectful to Ministers, Members, staff and departments”.

Ms Garrett said she was “not surprised” by the memo, and revealed she has been served with a subpoena to appear at the Supreme Court over the CFA’s controversial workplace agreement.

“Given the Premier’s recent comments that people should avail themselves of ‘avenues of complaint’ if they feel they have suffered mistreatment (after questions relating to allegations that Mr Marshall threatened to put an axe in my head), I have been finalising a formal complaint about the treatment that I and my staff received during my tenure as the Minister for Emergency Services,” Ms Garrett said today in a statement.

“I also intend to formally participate in the VHREOC (Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission) review into the fire services.”

She said John–Paul Blandthorn, who News Corp revealed wrote the note to the premier, had “always looked out for me” surrounding Mr Marshall’s “distressing conduct”.

Mr Andrews has already said he “can’t recall” hearing any such complaints about Mr Marshall’s behaviour, and repeated that today despite the revelation of the leaked memo.

“No advice was received that would constitute a complaint,” Mr Andrews said.

“These are political games and I’ve no interest in playing them.”

Mr Marshall was also present in parliament today to give evidence at a committee hearing.

Upon being asked if he bullied anyone during the EBA saga, he said: “I’m not even going to entertain that rubbish”.

“There’s a campaign being waged here and it’s against career firefighters,” he added.

“At  the end of the day, there’s been an extensive attempt to vilify myself and the union.”

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said the memo showed the premier had “ignored all that advice simply because it was Peter Marshall”.