❓ Ms. Quirk questions the Minister for Emergency Services about the delay in implementing presumptive cancer laws for volunteer firefighters, referencing similar laws in other states. The Minister assures that the legislation is progressing and will be retrospective.
AnsweredQoN 728Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
FIREFIGHTERS — PRESUMPTIVE LAWS
728. Ms M.M. QUIRK to the Minister for
Emergency Services :
I refer to the minister's
predecessor's commitment that presumptive cancer firefighter laws would
apply to both career and volunteer firefighters.
(1) Is the minister
aware that the new laws in Queensland specifically provide that there will be
no discrimination between paid and volunteer firefighters under new cancer
compensation rights?
(2) Is the
minister aware that volunteers in South Australia have the same eligibility
requirements as paid firefighters who work alongside them?
(3) Given the
stance in other states, what is the impediment to meeting the three-year-old
election commitment?
728. Ms M.M. QUIRK to the Minister for
Emergency Services :
I refer to the minister's
predecessor's commitment that presumptive cancer firefighter laws would
apply to both career and volunteer firefighters.
(1) Is the minister
aware that the new laws in Queensland specifically provide that there will be
no discrimination between paid and volunteer firefighters under new cancer
compensation rights?
(2) Is the
minister aware that volunteers in South Australia have the same eligibility
requirements as paid firefighters who work alongside them?
(3) Given the
stance in other states, what is the impediment to meeting the three-year-old
election commitment?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) I
thank the member for Girrawheen for the question. The answer is yes, I am aware
about Queensland; yes, I am aware about South Australia. This government went
to the last election with a very clear commitment to give presumptive cover to
both career and volunteer firefighters, and retired career firefighters who may
contract a particular prescribed form of cancer due to the exposure that they
may have been subjected to in their roles either as career firefighters or
volunteers. The government said from the start that it would do this in two
tranches of legislation. The first one, obviously, was an amendment to the
Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Act for career
firefighters. We made that amendment first because it was the easiest act to
amend and the easiest one to draft. About a year and a half ago, that was
passed unanimously by all members of this house; it was a great day. Our second
tranche of the legislation will cover volunteer firefighters: fire and rescue
firefighters; volunteer bush fire brigade firefighters, who may be exposed to
certain carcinogens; and also marine sea rescue volunteers, because sometimes
even they have to put out fires. Just because it is on water does not mean the
fire is any less dangerous. In fact, some of the stuff that boats are made out
of makes it even more dangerous and carcinogenic. That legislation will also
cover retired career firefighters. The legislation has been approved to be
drafted by cabinet. I expect to see it back from the draughtsman shortly. There
is an issue, obviously, and some concern has been raised, no doubt with the
member for Girrawheen and also with me, about the timing of this legislation,
but I have stated before and I will state again now that it is nothing anyone
has to worry about because the start date for it will be retrospective, in line
with the legislation that currently covers career firefighters. The start date
will be the same for both.
thank the member for Girrawheen for the question. The answer is yes, I am aware
about Queensland; yes, I am aware about South Australia. This government went
to the last election with a very clear commitment to give presumptive cover to
both career and volunteer firefighters, and retired career firefighters who may
contract a particular prescribed form of cancer due to the exposure that they
may have been subjected to in their roles either as career firefighters or
volunteers. The government said from the start that it would do this in two
tranches of legislation. The first one, obviously, was an amendment to the
Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Act for career
firefighters. We made that amendment first because it was the easiest act to
amend and the easiest one to draft. About a year and a half ago, that was
passed unanimously by all members of this house; it was a great day. Our second
tranche of the legislation will cover volunteer firefighters: fire and rescue
firefighters; volunteer bush fire brigade firefighters, who may be exposed to
certain carcinogens; and also marine sea rescue volunteers, because sometimes
even they have to put out fires. Just because it is on water does not mean the
fire is any less dangerous. In fact, some of the stuff that boats are made out
of makes it even more dangerous and carcinogenic. That legislation will also
cover retired career firefighters. The legislation has been approved to be
drafted by cabinet. I expect to see it back from the draughtsman shortly. There
is an issue, obviously, and some concern has been raised, no doubt with the
member for Girrawheen and also with me, about the timing of this legislation,
but I have stated before and I will state again now that it is nothing anyone
has to worry about because the start date for it will be retrospective, in line
with the legislation that currently covers career firefighters. The start date
will be the same for both.
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