❓ Hon Martin Aldridge questions the Minister for Emergency Services regarding the delay in extending PTSD presumption to firefighters and the exclusion of volunteer firefighters. The Minister defends the government's actions and explains the different coverage for volunteers.
AnsweredQoN 453Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
FIREFIGHTERS —
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
453. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Minister for Emergency Services:
I refer to the government's
belated announcement on 6 April 2023 that it will extend post-traumatic stress
disorder presumption to firefighters more than one year after similar was
extended to ambulance workers.
(1) In response
to media questions on 6 April, did the minister advise that the reason for the
delay was to allow for lessons to be learned from the application of similar
protections to ambulance workers?
(2) If yes to (1), what lessons were
learned and how were they learned?
(3) Do volunteer firefighters have a
different PTSD risk compared with career firefighters?
(4) Why has the
government failed to provide PTSD protection to volunteer firefighters who
outnumber career firefighters 20 to one?
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
453. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Minister for Emergency Services:
I refer to the government's
belated announcement on 6 April 2023 that it will extend post-traumatic stress
disorder presumption to firefighters more than one year after similar was
extended to ambulance workers.
(1) In response
to media questions on 6 April, did the minister advise that the reason for the
delay was to allow for lessons to be learned from the application of similar
protections to ambulance workers?
(2) If yes to (1), what lessons were
learned and how were they learned?
(3) Do volunteer firefighters have a
different PTSD risk compared with career firefighters?
(4) Why has the
government failed to provide PTSD protection to volunteer firefighters who
outnumber career firefighters 20 to one?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(4) The McGowan government is proud to have extended
PTSD presumption to Western Australian firefighters and ambulance
workers. These changes were not enacted by the previous Liberal–National
government. The Department of Fire and
Emergency Services volunteers are not covered by the Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981. They therefore cannot be covered by the
regulations relating to presumption that now apply to firefighters. Volunteer
firefighters are covered for personal injury by a DFES insurance policy under
the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998. The insurance policy provides for a range
of benefits and support for volunteers.
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(4) The McGowan government is proud to have extended
PTSD presumption to Western Australian firefighters and ambulance
workers. These changes were not enacted by the previous Liberal–National
government. The Department of Fire and
Emergency Services volunteers are not covered by the Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981. They therefore cannot be covered by the
regulations relating to presumption that now apply to firefighters. Volunteer
firefighters are covered for personal injury by a DFES insurance policy under
the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998. The insurance policy provides for a range
of benefits and support for volunteers.
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