Stawell CFA volunteer and Volunteer Firefighter Brigades Victoria  board member Mick Dunweek said Mr Turnbull’s promise to make the changes a top priority was wonderful news.

“The board thinks this is wonderful news for the 60,000 volunteers,” Mr Dunweek said.

“We value the paid firefighters and staff at the CFA, we want them to have the pay rises and entitlements that they say they want and need.

“But we don’t want union influence over the CFA at all.” 

The state government was plunged into crisis last month as it pushed through a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement with the United Firefighters Union.

Premier Dan Andrews said the agreement was fair and balanced, but volunteers and the Coalition claimed the deal gave the union veto powers over major decisions made by CFA volunteers.

Volunteers also claimed the new agreement discriminated against women and people with a disability because it tried to prevent employing part-time firefighters.

Mr Turnbull pledged before the federal election on July 2 that he would, if re-elected, introduce changes to the Fair Work Act to protect volunteers.

“We will ensure the law is changed to protect you from this takeover,” Mr Turnbull said at a CFA rally last month.

Mr Dunweek said Mr Turnbull’s decision to attend the rally outside Victoria’s Parliament was fantastic.

“Both the leaders, Mr Turnbull and Labor leader Bill Shorten, were invited to speak but Mr Shorten had no time whatsoever,” Mr Dunweek said.

Mr Dunweek said the volunteers’ board had found the workplace agreement to have clauses that discriminated against women and people with a disability.

“Clauses that discriminate have no place in an enterprise bargaining agreement in this day and age,” he said.

“I don’t know why they were left in.

“If it takes the prime minister and federal legislation to remove the clauses, then that’s what needs to be done.”

Mr Andrews has said that his government’s actions were necessary to end the long-running dispute with the United Firefighters Union.

“This dispute has dragged on for well over 1000 days and they want it to end,” he said.

That is why we've taken action to find a fair and balanced solution. 

“We simply can't let it go on through another fire season – that's just not safe.” 

Mr Dunweek said the resignation of Victorian Minister for Emergency Services Jane Garrett, the CFA board and its chief executive and chief officer, were signs that the deal should not have gone ahead.

“Despite all the angst, all the uncertainty, Mr Andrews still hasn’t met with volunteers, and he still won’t,” Mr Dunweek said.

“How can you make an informed decision without meeting the group that represents 60,000 volunteers?

“All we need is 10 to 15 minutes of his time.”