In 2015, the Victorian government asked me to undertake a review of the state's fire services.

The importance of our firefighters' role cannot be underestimated, which is why it is so devastating to see the Victorian fire services in the state that they are – marked by division and low morale.

The importance of our firefighters' role cannot be underestimated. Credit:Craig Abraham

The Victorian Liberal Party used its recent state conference to stoke tensions, bizarrely issuing a threat to the CFA board, this, on the back of the politically charged intervention of the federal Coalition at the time of the federal election, has created much distrust and a polarised community.

It is disappointing that the industrial politics continue to overshadow the real challenges of community service delivery and organisational modernisation, which my review focused on and which Victoria still needs to address. Attacking the workforce and their union is not the answer.