{"id":3051,"date":"2020-01-08T21:12:53","date_gmt":"2020-01-08T13:12:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dingo.news\/voice\/?p=3051"},"modified":"2023-05-30T01:01:13","modified_gmt":"2023-05-29T17:01:13","slug":"nsw-volunteer-firefighters-association-vffa-a-front-for-vested-interests-and-greens-bashing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dingo.news\/voice\/nsw-volunteer-firefighters-association-vffa-a-front-for-vested-interests-and-greens-bashing\/","title":{"rendered":"NSW Volunteer Firefighter&#8217;s Association (VFFA) &#8211; A Front for Vested Interests and Greens bashing?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Hi Twitter,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-45 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/twitter-a.jpg?resize=50%2C50&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">A <span style=\"color: #993300;\"><a style=\"color: #993300;\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RonniSalt\/status\/1214490202506317825\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">general thread<\/a><\/span> about a group calling themselves <strong>NSW Volunteer Firefighter&#8217;s Association<\/strong>. (<span style=\"color: #993300; font-size: 12pt;\"><a style=\"color: #993300;\" href=\"https:\/\/volunteerfirefighters.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Website<\/a><\/span>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">They have been spreading the &#8220;Greens to blame for fuel reduction&#8221; myth as well as claiming climate change has nothing to with increased fires.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"ose-twitter ose-uid-b428161decfb63d2024d883942b88a23 ose-embedpress-responsive\" style=\"width:600px; height:550px; max-height:550px; max-width:100%; display:inline-block;\" data-embed-type=\"Twitter\"><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"600\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The Volunteer Fire Fighters Association wants firies to at least get their expenses covered<br><br>RFS boss Shane Fitzsimmons has lashed the VFFA, claiming he doesn&#39;t know much about them, &quot;their motivations are really unclear.&quot;<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/S7Vws0d0sa\">https:\/\/t.co\/S7Vws0d0sa<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Josh Butler (@JoshButler) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JoshButler\/status\/1209279625869742080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 24, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/div><\/p>\n<div class=\"row t-tweet\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<div id=\"tweet_2\" class=\"content-tweet allow-preview\" dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490204309880833\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Their motivations appear to be anti-science and they appear to be run by &#8211; well, who knows?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">This group claims to represent volunteer fighters &#8211; only in NSW &#8211; but has no official membership numbers or any indication of any broad based support among firefighters outside their site<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"tweet_2\" class=\"content-tweet allow-preview\" dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490204309880833\">\n<table class=\" aligncenter\" style=\"height: 392px; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;\" cellpadding=\"10\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 392px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 50%; height: 392px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-Page-Management.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3082\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-Page-Management.jpg?resize=1080%2C511&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-Page-Management.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-Page-Management.jpg?resize=300%2C142&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-Page-Management.jpg?resize=1024%2C485&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-Page-Management.jpg?resize=768%2C364&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50%; height: 392px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds1.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3071\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds1.jpg?resize=431%2C402&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"431\" height=\"402\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds1.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds1.jpg?resize=300%2C280&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds1.jpg?resize=1024%2C954&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds1.jpg?resize=768%2C716&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 431px) 100vw, 431px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490204309880833\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<div dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490204309880833\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row t-tweet\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<div id=\"tweet_3\" class=\"content-tweet allow-preview\" dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490206889361410\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">This opaque organisation was first registered as a private business in NSW in 2004.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">They are not an incorporated not-for-profit in NSW, nor subject to those relevant regulations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Nor are they a registered charity, per the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.acnc.gov.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\">ACNC<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">They have no annual reports. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds2.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3072\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds2.jpg?resize=995%2C193&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"995\" height=\"193\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds2.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds2.jpg?resize=300%2C58&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds2.jpg?resize=1024%2C199&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds2.jpg?resize=768%2C149&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3096\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/fire-icon.jpg?resize=88%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"88\" height=\"120\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"row t-tweet\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<div id=\"tweet_3\" class=\"content-tweet allow-preview\" dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490206889361410\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/ACNC.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3063\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/ACNC.jpg?resize=915%2C898&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"915\" height=\"898\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/ACNC.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/ACNC.jpg?resize=300%2C295&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/ACNC.jpg?resize=1024%2C1005&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/ACNC.jpg?resize=768%2C754&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 915px) 100vw, 915px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row t-tweet\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<div id=\"tweet_4\" class=\"content-tweet allow-preview\" dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490208994856960\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">That&#8217;s correct. The VFFA do not have an annual report.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Anywhere.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">One look at their website will show that their membership numbers are not disclosed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Nor do they publish any broad-based selection of scientists but instead have relied on the voice of one man &#8211; <strong>David Packham<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #003366; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>&#8211; Insert &#8211;<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; color: #003300;\">Mr Packham has previously accused &#8220;latte conservationists&#8221; of having<br \/>\ntoo much influence on forest management.<\/span> <span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">(<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; color: #993300;\"><a style=\"color: #993300;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sbs.com.au\/news\/fires-not-due-to-climate-change-expert\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">)<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #003366; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>&#8211; End insert &#8211;<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"row t-tweet\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<div id=\"tweet_4\" class=\"content-tweet allow-preview\" dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490208994856960\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Packham.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3065\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Packham.jpg?resize=872%2C739&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"872\" height=\"739\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Packham.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Packham.jpg?resize=300%2C254&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Packham.jpg?resize=1024%2C868&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Packham.jpg?resize=768%2C651&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 872px) 100vw, 872px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row t-tweet\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<div id=\"tweet_5\" class=\"content-tweet allow-preview\" dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490211570180096\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">With such a massive array of scientists around the world publishing papers on bushfire science, including many world renowned experts in Australia such as Prof David Bowman at Curtin University, why do the VFFA not publish a selection of them?<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; color: #993300;\"><a class=\"entity-hashtag\" style=\"color: #993300;\" href=\"https:\/\/threadreaderapp.com\/hashtag\/AustralianBushfires\">#AustralianBushfires<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Packham1.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3066\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Packham1.jpg?resize=794%2C565&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"794\" height=\"565\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Packham1.jpg?w=1199&amp;ssl=1 1199w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Packham1.jpg?resize=300%2C213&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Packham1.jpg?resize=1024%2C729&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Packham1.jpg?resize=768%2C546&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 794px) 100vw, 794px\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row t-tweet\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<div id=\"tweet_6\" class=\"content-tweet allow-preview\" dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490213692538880\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Instead, the murky waters of the VFFA website choose to produce endless quotes from Ray Hadley and the Daily Telegraph as well as one widely denounced former scientist.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #003366; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>-Insert &#8211;<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3105\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Ray-Hadley-RW-Climate-change-denying-BULLY.jpg?resize=647%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"647\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Ray-Hadley-RW-Climate-change-denying-BULLY.jpg?w=647&amp;ssl=1 647w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Ray-Hadley-RW-Climate-change-denying-BULLY.jpg?resize=300%2C230&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 647px) 100vw, 647px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Ray Hadley and fellow Climate Change denier Scott Morrison&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"oedJWe\"><a class=\"irc_pt irc_tas irc-cms i3598 irc_lth\" dir=\"ltr\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.news.com.au\/entertainment\/tv\/radio\/fresh-bullying-claims-emerge-against-2gb-shock-jock-ray-hadley\/news-story\/1aff06c4c624bbbb068453a9698dbc80\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-veid=\"3598\" data-noload=\"\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwidyPnsovfmAhVwxjgGHS_ZAgUQjhx6BAgBEAI\" data-ctbtn=\"0\" data-cthref=\"\/url?sa=i&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=images&amp;cd=&amp;ved=2ahUKEwidyPnsovfmAhVwxjgGHS_ZAgUQjhx6BAgBEAI&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.news.com.au%2Fentertainment%2Ftv%2Fradio%2Ffresh-bullying-claims-emerge-against-2gb-shock-jock-ray-hadley%2Fnews-story%2F1aff06c4c624bbbb068453a9698dbc80&amp;psig=AOvVaw0RsIBtMzNGL9Hfkgk3q7xM&amp;ust=1578586417063146\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\">Source &#8211; Ray Hadley: Further bullying allegations against 2GB shock jock<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #003366; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>&#8211; End insert &#8211;<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"row t-tweet\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<div id=\"tweet_6\" class=\"content-tweet allow-preview\" dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490213692538880\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Indeed their media selections appear to be as narrow as their science.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds3.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"row justify-content-center entity-multiple-3\" style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><span class=\"col-md-6\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3073\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds3.jpg?resize=715%2C641&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"715\" height=\"641\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds3.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds3.jpg?resize=300%2C269&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds3.jpg?resize=1024%2C917&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds3.jpg?resize=768%2C688&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 715px) 100vw, 715px\" \/><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3096\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/fire-icon.jpg?resize=88%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"88\" height=\"120\"><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Packham2.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3067\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Packham2.jpg?resize=823%2C767&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"823\" height=\"767\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Packham2.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Packham2.jpg?resize=300%2C280&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Packham2.jpg?resize=1024%2C954&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Packham2.jpg?resize=768%2C716&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 823px) 100vw, 823px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3096\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/fire-icon.jpg?resize=88%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"88\" height=\"120\"><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"row t-tweet\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<div id=\"tweet_6\" class=\"content-tweet allow-preview\" dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490213692538880\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds4.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3074\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds4.jpg?resize=1080%2C1046&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1046\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds4.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds4.jpg?resize=300%2C291&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds4.jpg?resize=1024%2C992&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds4.jpg?resize=768%2C744&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"row t-tweet\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<div id=\"tweet_7\" class=\"content-tweet allow-preview\" dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490215886180352\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">In addition, this astroturfing group appear to be putting themselves forward in the media as the &#8220;voice of volunteer firefighters&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">How?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Who are their members?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">In NSW the official Rural Fire Service has been consistently claiming this group&#8217;s motivations are highly suspect.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"tweet_7\" class=\"content-tweet allow-preview\" dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490215886180352\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds5.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"entity-image\" style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3075\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds5.jpg?resize=869%2C1200&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"869\" height=\"1200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds5.jpg?w=869&amp;ssl=1 869w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds5.jpg?resize=217%2C300&amp;ssl=1 217w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds5.jpg?resize=742%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 742w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds5.jpg?resize=768%2C1061&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 869px) 100vw, 869px\" \/><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row t-tweet\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<div id=\"tweet_8\" class=\"content-tweet allow-preview\" dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490218453094400\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Interestingly, VFFA president Mick Holton is a well known conservative political figure who stood for election in 2018 as an endorsed candidate of the Shooters &amp; Fishers Party.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">He has also promoted the views of elephant &amp; wildlife slaughterer Robert Borsak on the VFFA website. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Shooters-Fishers-Farmers.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><span class=\"row justify-content-center entity-multiple-2\"><span class=\"col-md-6\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3069\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Shooters-Fishers-Farmers.jpg?resize=674%2C467&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"674\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Shooters-Fishers-Farmers.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Shooters-Fishers-Farmers.jpg?resize=300%2C208&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Shooters-Fishers-Farmers.jpg?resize=1024%2C710&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Shooters-Fishers-Farmers.jpg?resize=768%2C532&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 674px) 100vw, 674px\" \/><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3096\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/fire-icon.jpg?resize=88%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"88\" height=\"120\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<div id=\"tweet_8\" class=\"content-tweet allow-preview\" dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490218453094400\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Psychopath.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><span class=\"row justify-content-center entity-multiple-2\"><span class=\"col-md-6\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3068\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Psychopath.jpg?resize=822%2C461&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"822\" height=\"461\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Psychopath.jpg?w=1176&amp;ssl=1 1176w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Psychopath.jpg?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Psychopath.jpg?resize=1024%2C575&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Psychopath.jpg?resize=768%2C431&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 822px) 100vw, 822px\" \/><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><br \/>\nPsychopath with innocent victim<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row t-tweet\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<div id=\"tweet_9\" class=\"content-tweet allow-preview\" dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490220986396673\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">This VFFA group has as their patron a man who has been lauded by Miranda Devine as an anti-science, anti-environmentalist climate change denier.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Yes, Kurt Lance, renowned climate change denier is an early VFFA patron.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"row t-tweet\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<div id=\"tweet_9\" class=\"content-tweet allow-preview\" dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490220986396673\">\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"><span class=\"row justify-content-center entity-multiple-2\"><span class=\"col-md-6\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3076\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds6.jpg?resize=286%2C1018&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"286\" height=\"1018\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds6.jpg?w=337&amp;ssl=1 337w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds6.jpg?resize=84%2C300&amp;ssl=1 84w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-frauds6.jpg?resize=288%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 288w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 286px) 100vw, 286px\" \/><\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Miranda-Devine-rant.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"row justify-content-center entity-multiple-2\"><span class=\"col-md-6\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3064\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Miranda-Devine-rant.jpg?resize=636%2C874&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"636\" height=\"874\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Miranda-Devine-rant.jpg?w=873&amp;ssl=1 873w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Miranda-Devine-rant.jpg?resize=218%2C300&amp;ssl=1 218w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Miranda-Devine-rant.jpg?resize=745%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 745w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Miranda-Devine-rant.jpg?resize=768%2C1056&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\" \/><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">What is even more intriguing is that there is no membership fee to &#8220;belong&#8221; to the VFFA.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row t-tweet\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<div id=\"tweet_10\" class=\"content-tweet allow-preview\" dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490223633039360\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">It costs nothing to join and there appears to be no validation of your volunteer firefighter status on their form or your identity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">So anyone, or anything, can put their name down. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Which leads us to the question of how the VFFA fund themselves. Now they may be quite happy gathering funds behind the scenes, who knows.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row t-tweet\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<div id=\"tweet_11\" class=\"content-tweet allow-preview\" dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490225700769792\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">But their climate change denialist site is very smart indeed. There is a 1300 phone number and a slick newsletter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">But how is this funded? <i class=\"fas fa-link\"><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row t-tweet\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<div id=\"tweet_12\" class=\"content-tweet allow-preview\" dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490227466616832\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Now none of this would be at all interesting if the self-proclaimed VFFA were off in a park somewhere talking among themselves &#8211; however many of them there actually are.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-The-Age.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3081\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-The-Age.jpg?resize=863%2C704&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"863\" height=\"704\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-The-Age.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-The-Age.jpg?resize=300%2C245&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-The-Age.jpg?resize=1024%2C835&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-The-Age.jpg?resize=768%2C627&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 863px) 100vw, 863px\" \/><\/a> <i class=\"fas fa-link\"><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row t-tweet\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<div id=\"tweet_13\" class=\"content-tweet allow-preview\" dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490229597327360\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">B<\/span><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">ut here&#8217;s the worrying part &#8211; they are often quoted &amp; given legitimacy by mainstream media organisations. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">The non-members-disclosed, non-annual-report, non-transparent VFFA is quoted and interviewed on ABC Radio National, the Guardian, the Age, the SMH, Channel 10 &#8211; the list goes on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Which obviously gives their anti-science views &amp; existence some legitimacy. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-Guardian.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3077\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-Guardian.jpg?resize=826%2C758&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"826\" height=\"758\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-Guardian.jpg?w=1199&amp;ssl=1 1199w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-Guardian.jpg?resize=300%2C275&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-Guardian.jpg?resize=1024%2C939&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-Guardian.jpg?resize=768%2C705&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 826px) 100vw, 826px\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row t-tweet\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<div id=\"tweet_14\" class=\"content-tweet allow-preview\" dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490232185245701\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">The NSW Rural Fire Service has 71,234 registered members.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">How many &#8220;members&#8221; do the VFFA have?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">And who is it behind the scenes doing the talking?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Perhaps the media could ask this too before rushing to quote them next time. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><span class=\"row justify-content-center entity-multiple-2\"><span class=\"col-md-6\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Total-Volunteers.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3070\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Total-Volunteers.jpg?resize=771%2C681&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"771\" height=\"681\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Total-Volunteers.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Total-Volunteers.jpg?resize=300%2C265&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Total-Volunteers.jpg?resize=1024%2C905&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Total-Volunteers.jpg?resize=768%2C678&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 771px) 100vw, 771px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3096 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/fire-icon.jpg?resize=88%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"88\" height=\"120\"><br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<div id=\"tweet_14\" class=\"content-tweet allow-preview\" dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214490232185245701\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\"><span class=\"row justify-content-center entity-multiple-2\"><span class=\"col-md-6\"><span class=\"entity-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-Sky-news.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3080\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-Sky-news.jpg?resize=705%2C1080&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"705\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-Sky-news.jpg?w=783&amp;ssl=1 783w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-Sky-news.jpg?resize=196%2C300&amp;ssl=1 196w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-Sky-news.jpg?resize=668%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 668w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/VFFA-Sky-news.jpg?resize=768%2C1177&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 705px) 100vw, 705px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row t-tweet\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<div id=\"tweet_15\" class=\"content-tweet allow-preview\" dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214546295643226113\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 14pt;\">As usual the literalists are out seemingly thinking we&#8217;re suggesting this group is really a dummy website, started in Namibia &amp; run by Bolivian warlords.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">Yes its started &amp; run by NSW firefighters.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;\">The point is &#8211; how many of them are there, who funds them &amp; what is their agenda?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-1047 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Ronni-and-Jommy.jpg?resize=245%2C146&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"245\" height=\"146\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Ronni-and-Jommy.jpg?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Ronni-and-Jommy.jpg?resize=300%2C179&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 245px) 100vw, 245px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214546295643226113\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214546295643226113\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214546295643226113\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214546295643226113\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214546295643226113\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214546295643226113\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214546295643226113\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RonniSalt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ronni Salt <\/a>with <a class=\"entity-mention\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jommy_tee\">@jommy_tee<\/a><\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214546295643226113\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214546295643226113\">\n<div dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214546295643226113\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong>&#8211; Ends &#8211;<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214546295643226113\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214546295643226113\">More&#8230;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214546295643226113\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214546295643226113\">Ronni Salt &#8211; Tackles the truth behind the<br \/>\nlatest attempts to <span style=\"color: #800000;\"><a style=\"color: #800000;\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RonniSalt\/status\/1215603397044256768?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">blame unprecedented<br \/>\nbushfires on anything but Climate Change.<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214546295643226113\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214546295643226113\">An arsonist conspiracy &#8211; favoured by right-wingers<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214546295643226113\">and billionaires with coal interests.<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214546295643226113\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214546295643226113\">\n<p><strong>Featured image<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"article-header__title\">Behind the lens: <span style=\"color: #993300;\"><a style=\"color: #993300;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/interactive\/2020\/behind-the-lens\/live\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">on the front lines of the bushfire crisis<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214546295643226113\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div dir=\"auto\" data-screenname=\"RonniSalt\" data-tweet=\"1214546295643226113\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3096 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/fire-icon.jpg?resize=88%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"88\" height=\"120\"><\/p>\n<table class=\" aligncenter\" style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;\" cellpadding=\"10\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/2020\/jan\/09\/firefighters-group-that-disputes-climate-link-to-bushfires-has-close-ties-to-shooters-party\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3122 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Guardian-catch-up-sm.jpg?resize=350%2C339&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"339\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Guardian-catch-up-sm.jpg?w=350&amp;ssl=1 350w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Guardian-catch-up-sm.jpg?resize=300%2C291&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thenewdaily.com.au\/news\/national\/2020\/01\/10\/news-corp-employee-lashes-bushfire-reporting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3125\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/NewsCorp-worker-quits.jpg?resize=470%2C325&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"470\" height=\"325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/NewsCorp-worker-quits.jpg?w=470&amp;ssl=1 470w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/NewsCorp-worker-quits.jpg?resize=300%2C207&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 470px) 100vw, 470px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hi Twitter, A general thread about a group calling themselves NSW Volunteer Firefighter&#8217;s Association. (Website) They have been spreading the &#8220;Greens to blame for fuel reduction&#8221; myth as well as claiming climate change has nothing to with increased fires. &nbsp; The Volunteer Fire Fighters Association wants firies to at least get their expenses coveredRFS boss [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3133,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[476,135,200,6,3],"tags":[235,236,233,232,237,234,231],"class_list":["post-3051","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles-by-ronni-salt-jommy-tee","category-australias-move-to-the-right","category-bushfires","category-environment","category-political-issues","tag-arson","tag-bushfires","tag-david-packham","tag-firefighters","tag-nsw-rfs","tag-ray-hadley","tag-vffa"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3051","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3051"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3051\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3133"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3051"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3051"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dingo.news\/voice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3051"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}