Parliamentary Inquiry Exposes CFA's Critical Understaffing and Funding Deficits During Devastating Bushfires

A recent parliamentary inquiry into last summer's devastating bushfires has inadvertently brought to light critical understaffing and significant funding shortfalls within the Country Fire Authority (CFA). These revelations emerged after the authority's initial, detailed submission to the inquiry was released, only for the CFA to swiftly attempt its retraction, claiming an 'administrative error'.

The inquiry, which convened in April and May, is examining the fires that claimed one life, destroyed approximately 250 homes, and scorched around 400,000 hectares of land. While a final report is anticipated next month, a series of emails released by the upper house Environment and Planning Committee has shed light on the CFA's contentious efforts to withdraw its original 33-page submission, citing potential 'executive privilege'.

The Controversial Retraction

The initial submission was emailed to the committee on June 4 by CFA acting deputy chief officer Scott Purdy following the authority's appearance at public hearings on May 1. However, less than 24 hours later, Mr. Purdy requested the document be returned, claiming it was a 'working drat (sic)' and 'not complete' due to his own administrative error. Subsequent correspondence released by the parliamentary committee indicated CFA chief executive officer, Greg Leach, instructed the first submission be 'disregarded' on the basis of 'executive privilege' among other reasons.

On June 30, a significantly condensed, 18-page replacement submission was provided by the CFA. Despite the authority's attempts to replace the document, the committee made the decision to release both the original, comprehensive submission and its pared-down successor to the public. In a statement to media, Mr. Leach maintained that the working draft was 'inadvertently' sent and the correct version was later resubmitted.

Critical Staffing Gaps Uncovered

The original, lengthier CFA submission painted a stark picture of an organisation under strain, particularly concerning staffing levels during the peak of the January fires. It revealed that in districts hardest hit, such as Longwood and Harcourt, half of the paid CFA staff were absent when the blazes took hold. Specifically, four positions were vacant in Longwood and six in Harcourt, contributing to what the submission termed 'sustained operational pressure'.

Across the state, the initial document highlighted 29 vacancies for senior operational leaders. Furthermore, it claimed that since 2020, the CFA has consistently operated with an average reduction of 17.2 persons per week in its operational command workforce, representing an approximate 11 per cent decrease. The submission also expressed concerns regarding the 'capacity of resources provided by FRV [Fire Rescue Victoria]' and advocated for a more direct role in recruitment processes for FRV employees assigned to senior CFA operational leadership positions, which are managed through a secondment agreement.

Significant Funding Shortfalls Detailed

Beyond staffing, the initial CFA submission laid bare substantial funding deficits. It revealed that the authority had received only about one-third of the funding it requested from the state government for crucial infrastructure upgrades, including firefighting equipment, tankers, and pumpers. Over the three financial years from FY 2022-23 to FY 2024-25, the CFA submitted requests totalling $330.57 million but received approval for only $117.95 million.

The document also critically noted a dramatic increase in the cost of new fire stations and a significant slowdown in their construction since the government's Community Safety Building Authority (CSBA) assumed responsibility in August 2022. The submission stated that in the 13 years prior to the transition, 386 fire stations were built, whereas only nine new stations have been delivered to the CFA since CSBA took over.

Political Fallout and Future Scrutiny

The revelations have drawn strong criticism from opposition figures. Danny O'Brien, leader of the Victorian Nationals, expressed significant concern, claiming the state government had intervened in the process and labelling the updated document a 'sanitised version' of the original, which contained 'extraordinary statements and data'. Mr. O'Brien highlighted that nearly 20 per cent of CFA career staff positions were vacant at the outset of the January bushfires, severely restricting the CFA's ability to support its 52,000 volunteers. He also attributed these issues to the government's 2020 fire services changes, calling them a failure that has compromised community safety.

While the Victorian government has been contacted for comment regarding these claims, no statement has yet been released. The full implications of these disclosures are likely to be further explored as the parliamentary inquiry's final report approaches, with public safety and the effectiveness of fire services firmly in the spotlight.