Craig Lapsley, who has previously denied allegations, stands down as emergency management commissioner

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Victoria’s most senior firefighter and head of its natural disaster response has resigned amid allegations of bullying and inappropriate workplace behaviour.

Craig Lapsley stood down as emergency management commissioner on Tuesday, following an investigation by WorkSafe into allegations of bullying at Emergency Management Victoria (EMV). He has previously denied the allegations.

The emergency services minister, James Merlino, said Lapsley had been a “significant leader” in making Victoria disaster ready but that bullying was unacceptable in any government workplace.

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“In recent times it has become apparent that Mr Lapsley has not always conducted himself in accordance with the very high standards expected of him, and that, as a result, the EMV workplace has been very difficult and challenging for a number of his staff,” Merlino said in a statement.

“This is very disappointing both to me as emergency services minister and to the government generally.

“I have previously made it clear to Mr Lapsley that bullying and inappropriate workplace behaviour will not be tolerated and that remains very firmly the case. It is my very strong view that all government employees, including those at EMV, should be able to work in safe and supportive workplaces.”

Merlino said Lapsley had resigned, effective immediately, to “ensure EMV can continue to fulfil its critical role on behalf of the Victorian community”.

Lapsley was appointed Victoria’s inaugural fire services commissioner in 2010, after coordinating recovery efforts for the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.

He is credited with much of the post-Black Saturday changes to responding to significant bushfires, including the increased focus on communication, an improved early warning system and building community resilience through public information campaigns.

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The role was broadened to emergency management commissioner in 2014.

Lapsley has been at odds with the Fire Services Union in the long-running battle over the Country Fire Authority’s (CFA’s) enterprise bargaining agreement, which prompted a federal inquiry and the axing of the previous emergency management minister.

The CFA, the Metropolitan Fire Brigade and the union have all been criticised for harbouring cultures of sexism, sexual assault and harassment, and bullying.