Software that could shut down fire department leaked to unions

On Wednesday, the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) revealed that internal communications at the then Melbourne Fire Brigade were hacked.

Victorian branch secretary Peter Marshall worked with senior management to access unauthorised data after he became convinced he was the subject of a WorkSafe bullying investigation, a report has found.

A slide from a Melbourne Fire Service PowerPoint presentation detailing the proposed use of software to simulate responding to fire incidents was also leaked, and was given to then-Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville.

“Mr. Marshall obtained this document as a result of unauthorized disclosure by an unknown MFB employee,” the report reads.

The PowerPoint presentation included a proposal for the brigade to use a third-party software service to help it close stations and reallocate resources.

Ms Neville later attended a meeting with the then Chief Executive and Chairman of the Melbourne Fire Service Board, where she produced a printed copy of the document and asked why such software was being considered.

“After explaining the software to the minister, she replied: ‘You can’t have it,'” the report reads.

“The CEOs’ evidence was that they believed Mr Marshall had influenced the Minister prior to her meeting with the CEO with a view to preventing MFB from purchasing the software.”

IBAC investigation reveals problematic workplace culture at MFB leading to misuse of confidential information. — IBAC (@ibacVic) https://t.co/b0IAzAzjtKSeptember 24, 2024

Mr Marshall told the committee he believed the CEO wanted the software to reduce the number of firefighters and fire engines, which he said would be a breach of the company’s contract and would put the safety of crew and the public at risk.

The Commission identified five separate incidents where Melbourne Fire Service information was accessed or disclosed without authorisation between April 2018 and May 2019.

Three of these incidents involved officers from the brigade responsible for information and communications services.

“Those involved in this matter intended to use information from the MFB to further the interests of the Victorian branch of the United Firefighters’ Union or its secretary, Peter Marshall,” the report said.

“The IBAC investigation also found that Mr Marshall sought the assistance of staff to improperly gather confidential information about internal investigations relating to him, management contracts and other confidential organisational matters.”

Attorney General Jaclyn Symes said the report serves as a reminder to employees about what behaviors are appropriate in the workplace.

“This is a wake-up call for anyone who thinks giving someone confidential information is no big deal,” she said.

Union leader Peter Marshall had access to unauthorised data, a report has found. (Morgan Hancock/AAP PHOTOS)

Shadow Attorney-General Michael O’Brien said the report exposed serious problems in the state’s multi-billion dollar firefighting sector.

“We see a culture of leaks, a culture of intimidation, a culture of inappropriate access to materials,” he said.

The Commission found that internal brigade information was passed directly to Mr Marshall without the knowledge of its management.

Although Mr Marshall had extensive rights of access to Melbourne Fire Service records by virtue of his role, there is no evidence that management was notified of this in the incidents identified.

The report found there was a “problematic and dysfunctional culture” within the Melbourne Fire Service, including intimidation and threatening behaviour towards those who did not support the union.

The brigade was disbanded in 2020 and absorbed into the newly formed Victoria Fire Service.

Fire Rescue Victoria was presented with four recommendations to reduce the risk of corruption and improve its culture and information security. IBAC requested a progress report within six months and a full report on the results within 12 months.