The firefighter's union has lost its battle against Victoria's attorney-general after a judge found she did not use unlawful coercion.
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The United Firefighters Union brought Federal Court action in February, claiming attorney-general Jaclyn Symes had acted in a way that was either unlawful, illegitimate or unconscionable.
The dispute centred on letters Ms Symes sent to Fire Rescue Victoria in August and September 2022, instructing the body not to support a new fire registration board.
The board, set up by the union, would have had complete control over who FRV could employ as an operational member.
Ms Symes, who is also the emergency services minister, told the fire service the new board had insufficient transparency and oversight measures in place.
She said FRV required her consent to sign the service agreement with the registration board and she would not provide it, the Federal Court was told in February.
The union argued FRV did not need the minister's consent and her direction was either unlawful, illegitimate or unconscionable.
But Justice John Snaden disagreed, finding the union could not prove that Ms Symes acted in such a way.
"The minister's conduct was not conduct that was engaged in ... with intent to coerce FRV," he said in a written judgment on Friday.
The court dismissed the union's application for declaratory relief and made no order for costs.
Australian Associated Press
