Hinch won't back Vic premier over CFA deal
Victorian senator Derryn Hinch has confirmed he'll support the federal government's intervention in the long-running CFA saga.
"I've told him (Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews) on the phone that we can co-operate on a lot of issues ... but on the CFA I do not support you," Senator Hinch told 3AW on Tuesday, adding the premier ignored his statement and "moved on".
Senator Hinch failed to explain why he was opposed to the CFA deal when quizzed by a caller and admitted he hadn't yet read proposed legislation unveiled by the federal government on Monday.
Senator Hinch said he thought the CFA bargaining agreement was "trying to tell volunteers what to do".
The prime minister on Monday unveiled draft laws to permanently protect the rights of volunteer emergency service workers following the bitter pay dispute between the CFA and United Firefighters Union.
"I had talks with Michaelia Cash about it last week in Melbourne and during the campaign I went to a lot of sausage sizzles and field days and I'm pleased that the government is going to do this to try to thwart Premier Andrews and the union," Senator Hinch told ABC TV earlier on Tuesday.
Senator Hinch's views on the issue were already well know with the former broadcaster previously saying Mr Andrews was "the type of man firefighters fear".
"He's an out-of-control arsonist with an out-of-control bushfire," the senator said earlier this month.
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