Country Fire Authority Amendment (Volunteer Charter) Act 2011

Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel Authorised Version i Country Fire Authority Amendment (Volunteer Charter) Act 2011 No. 10 of 2011 TABLE OF PROVISIONS Section Page 1 Purpose 1 2 Commencement 2 3 Definitions 2 4 New sections 6F to 6I inserted 2 6F Recognition of Authority as a volunteer-based organisation 2 6G Recognition of the Volunteer Charter 3 6H Authority to have regard to Volunteer Charter 3 6I Authority's responsibility to encourage, maintain and strengthen capacity of volunteers 3 5 Repeal of this Act 4 ═══════════════ ENDNOTES 5 -- 1 of 6 -- Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel Authorised Version 1 Country Fire Authority Amendment (Volunteer Charter) Act 2011 † No. 10 of 2011 [Assented to 10 May 2011] The Parliament of Victoria enacts: 1 Purpose The purpose of this Act is to amend the Country Fire Authority Act 1958— (a) to recognise the Authority as a volunteer- based organisation; and (b) to recognise the Volunteer Charter; and (c) to require the Authority to have regard to the Volunteer Charter; and Victoria -- 2 of 6 -- Country Fire Authority Amendment (Volunteer Charter) Act 2011 No. 10 of 2011 2 Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel (d) to make other amendments in relation to the Authority's responsibility to volunteer officers and members. 2 Commencement This Act comes into operation on the day after the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent. 3 Definitions In section 3(1) of the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 insert the following definition— "Volunteer Charter means the Volunteer Charter agreed by the Government of Victoria, Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria Incorporated and the Authority, signed on 27 February 2011 and as amended from time to time;". 4 New sections 6F to 6I inserted After section 6E of the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 insert— "6F Recognition of Authority as a volunteer- based organisation The Parliament recognises that the Authority is first and foremost a volunteer-based organisation, in which volunteer officers and members are supported by employees in a fully integrated manner. s. 2 See: Act No. 6228. Reprint No. 13 as at 6 May 2010 and amending Act Nos 6/2010, 29/2010, 54/2010, 64/2010, 73/2010 and 78/2010. LawToday: www. legislation. vic.gov.au -- 3 of 6 -- Country Fire Authority Amendment (Volunteer Charter) Act 2011 No. 10 of 2011 3 Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel 6G Recognition of the Volunteer Charter The Parliament recognises that the Volunteer Charter— (a) is a statement of the commitment and principles that apply to the relationship between the Government of Victoria, the Authority and volunteer officers and members; and (b) requires that the Authority recognise, value, respect and promote the contribution of volunteer officers and members to the well-being and safety of the community; and (c) requires that the Government of Victoria and the Authority commit to consulting with Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria Incorporated on behalf of volunteer officers and members on any matter that might reasonably be expected to affect them. 6H Authority to have regard to Volunteer Charter The Authority must, in performing its functions, have regard to the commitment and principles set out in the Volunteer Charter. 6I Authority's responsibility to encourage, maintain and strengthen capacity of volunteers The Authority has a responsibility to develop policy and organisational arrangements that encourage, maintain and strengthen the capacity of volunteer officers and members to provide the Authority's services.". s. 4 -- 4 of 6 -- Country Fire Authority Amendment (Volunteer Charter) Act 2011 No. 10 of 2011 4 Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel 5 Repeal of this Act This Act is repealed on the first anniversary of its commencement. Note The repeal of this Act does not affect the continuing operation of the amendments made by it (see section 15(1) of the Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984). ═══════════════ s. 5 -- 5 of 6 -- Country Fire Authority Amendment (Volunteer Charter) Act 2011 No. 10 of 2011 5 Authorised by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel ENDNOTES † Minister's second reading speech— Legislative Assembly: 3 March 2011 Legislative Council: 24 March 2011 The long title for the Bill for this Act was "A Bill for an Act to amend the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 and for other purposes." Endnotes -- 6 of 6 --