The extent of bullying and harassment within Victoria's fire brigades might remain secret after a court sided with the state firefighters' union to stop the release of a controversial report.
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission compiled the report - at the state government's request - examining sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying within the Country Fire Authority and the Metropolitan Fire Brigade.
But the United Firefighters Union launched a lengthy legal fight in June 2017 to halt its release, with the Court of Appeal ruling in the union's favour on Thursday.
In a majority 2-1 decision, the court found the review was not authorised because it exceeded the commission's legal limits.
Under legislation, the commission can review a body's practices for compliance with equal opportunity laws, but only if requested by that body, the court found.
Commissioner Kristen Hilton said the commission was "shocked and extremely disappointed" by the decision and she will consider it further.
"Thousands of people participated in the process and it's a real blow these stories will not be heard," she said.
"While I cannot comment on the report ... I know sexism, discrimination and inequity are real problems and continue to cause harm in fire services across the country. Victoria is no exception."
She said the review had been actively supported by the leadership of the MFB and CFA.
CFA chief Steve Warrington noted the court's decision and apologised to any staff or volunteers who had experienced misconduct, committing to "a safe, inclusive and diverse" future.
Newly appointed MFB chief Dan Stephens conceded there were cultural issues that need to be fixed and said management were working on it with staff.
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria, representing CFA firies, was disappointed the report has not been made public.
"The fact that the UFU has gone to such extreme lengths to hide details of recommended improvements simply confirms that there is too much external influence," it said.
The UFU on Thursday released its own report on workplace culture in the fire services, authored by the University of Newcastle's Dr Victor Quirk.
Of 885 participants, 31 per cent experienced bullying and most didn't report it formally, it found.
A quarter of females also reported some form of sex discrimination during their career.
Union secretary Peter Marshall said it's working with the CFA and MFB to improve work culture and measures have included appointing a welfare officer, resilience training, a diversity committee and improving complaints handling.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the government invested extra funds to drive cultural change in the fire services, and noted Thursday's ruling might be subject to further appeal.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy would consider the judgment before deciding whether to release the report, if elected in November.
The review was launched in 2016 after a separate fire services review found significant cultural issues in the MFB and CFA.
Last December, the Supreme Court decided the report could be published, but the union appealed, culminating in Thursday's ruling.
Australian Associated Press
