From Sunday Herald Sun 1

Sue Hewitt

February 11, 2007 12:00am

AN experienced firefighter claims the State Government refuses to hire him because he is bisexual.

He alleges a Department of Sustainability and Environment manager told him he would never get a job again because "you're a poof".

Ken Campagnolo had worked as a paid seasonal firefighter for the department until the manager allegedly "outed" him four years ago.

He claims the manager gave him a Barbie doll at a department Christmas party in front of colleagues and their families.

Since then, Mr Campagnolo's annual applications for seasonal firefighting have been rejected.

Mr Campagnolo said he is taking the matter to the state Equal Opportunity Commission.

He said a DSE manager told him he was rejected because of a poor work ethic.

"This is blatantly untrue," he said. "The manager had told me, 'You'll never get a job because you're a poof'," he said.

Jenny Singleton, human resources director of the DSE said Mr Campagnolo's recent application was unsuccessful "based on his previous employment history with DSE".

"DSE is an equal opportunity employer, selects employees on merit,and treats any complaints of sexual discrimination very seriously," MsSingleton said.

The DSE manager who allegedly "outed" Mr Campagnolo did not return calls.

A former employer, who did not want to be named, said Mr Campagnolo was a good worker.

"Ken's as strong as an ox." the former boss said.

Another former supervisor said "Ken has a good work ethic".

A DSE worker who publicly supported Mr Campagnolo, saying he witnessed the Barbie doll incident, is believed to have been threatened with dismissal.