Ms Staley said the ban was undemocratic, denied volunteers the right to be thanked by their elected representative and was a gag on political debate.

The authority sent out a directive on Wednesday that said opposition members were welcome to attend station openings, truck handovers and medal presentations, but they were not allowed to make speeches.

Ms Staley, a Liberal member, blamed Premier Daniel Andrews for the directive, whom she labelled ‘Dictator Dan’.

“Brigades are entitled to have their member of parliament speak at their functions and events no matter which party they belong to; Mr Andrews is ignoring this and is trying to freeze out all who oppose the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.” Ms. Staley said

“I was selected by the voters, to represent all people and groups across the Ripon electorate, Mr Andrews needs to let me get on with my job.

“There are over 90 all-volunteer brigades protecting Ripon’s communities, they deserve our thanks and it is wrong that Mr Andrews is now stopping me from thanking them on behalf of the Parliament and the community.”

The authority’s chief executive Frances Diver denied that the directive was pushed by the state government, which has been locked in a dispute with volunteer firefighters over a new workplace agreement.

Volunteer Firefighter Brigades Victoria this month secured a Supreme Court injunction against paid firefighters voting to endorse a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.

Volunteer firefighters and coalition members of parliament from both the state and federal level have claimed the new agreement would give the United Firefighters Union veto power over volunteer management.

Volunteers have also claimed the agreement discriminated against women and people with a disability.

Emergency Services Minster James Merlino has previously said the new agreement would end a year-long dispute and would protect the role of volunteer firefighters.

“We recognise the vital role volunteers play and that is why we are building a better authority with new trucks, facilities, equipment, and training for volunteer brigades,” he said.