❓ Hon Martin Aldridge questions the WA government's timeline regarding the expansion of presumptive cancer coverage for firefighters, implying inconsistency in their decisions. The government responds by outlining the basis for each expansion and the consultations undertaken.
AnsweredQoN 760Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
FIREFIGHTERS —
PRESUMED CANCERS
760. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Industrial Relations:
I refer to the government media
statement on 5 August 2023 entitled ''Presumptive cancer coverage
expanding for firefighters'' and the second dot point, which states ''Provides
protection for personnel who dedicate their lives to protecting the community''.
(1) Why did the
Labor government decide that firefighters were not worthy of such protection on
6 May 2023 when firefighter presumptive cancers were first expanded?
(2) Why did the Labor government decide that
firefighters were not worthy of such protection on 27 July 2023 when
regulations were again amended to include communications systems officers
within their scope?
(3) What new
information has been made available to the Labor government that was previously
not known on either of these earlier occasions; and can the information be
tabled?
(4) Who did the
government consult with prior to expanding the presumptive cancer schedule by
regulations?
PRESUMED CANCERS
760. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Industrial Relations:
I refer to the government media
statement on 5 August 2023 entitled ''Presumptive cancer coverage
expanding for firefighters'' and the second dot point, which states ''Provides
protection for personnel who dedicate their lives to protecting the community''.
(1) Why did the
Labor government decide that firefighters were not worthy of such protection on
6 May 2023 when firefighter presumptive cancers were first expanded?
(2) Why did the Labor government decide that
firefighters were not worthy of such protection on 27 July 2023 when
regulations were again amended to include communications systems officers
within their scope?
(3) What new
information has been made available to the Labor government that was previously
not known on either of these earlier occasions; and can the information be
tabled?
(4) Who did the
government consult with prior to expanding the presumptive cancer schedule by
regulations?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. I provide the following answer on behalf of the Minister for
Industrial Relations.
(1) The
government acted to expand the list of presumptive cancers to cover malignant
mesothelioma and skin cancer in May 2023 on the basis of the independent
scientific review on presumptive firefighter cancers by Dr Lin Fritschi—I
am sorry for mispronouncing his name—of Curtin University.
(2) The
government determined to extend the PTSD presumption to DFES communications
systems officers following discussion with the United Professional Firefighters
Union.
(3)–(4) The
government determined to further expand the list of presumptive firefighter
cancers following consultation with the United Professional Firefighters Union,
the United Firefighters Union of Australia and WorkCover WA.
of the question. I provide the following answer on behalf of the Minister for
Industrial Relations.
(1) The
government acted to expand the list of presumptive cancers to cover malignant
mesothelioma and skin cancer in May 2023 on the basis of the independent
scientific review on presumptive firefighter cancers by Dr Lin Fritschi—I
am sorry for mispronouncing his name—of Curtin University.
(2) The
government determined to extend the PTSD presumption to DFES communications
systems officers following discussion with the United Professional Firefighters
Union.
(3)–(4) The
government determined to further expand the list of presumptive firefighter
cancers following consultation with the United Professional Firefighters Union,
the United Firefighters Union of Australia and WorkCover WA.
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