❓ Hon Matt Benson-Lidholm asks the Minister for Commerce about the government's position on presumptive workers' compensation legislation for firefighters contracting cancer. The government is awaiting the results of a Monash University research project before making a decision.
AnsweredQoN 69Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WORKERS' COMPENSATION —
FIREFIGHTERS
69. Hon MATT BENSON-LIDHOLM to the Minister for Commerce:
I refer to the proposal for amendments to be made to existing
workers' compensation laws to include a rebuttable presumption that,
after a prescribed period of service, firefighters contracting certain forms of
cancer would be deemed to have contracted the disease through their work.
(1) Does the
government accept the scientific evidence of a strong causal link between
firefighters' occupational risks and contracting certain forms of
cancer; and, if not, why not?
(2) Does the
government accept that, because of the nature of the work undertaken, even with
thorough preventive measures there is still the prospect of contracting cancer;
and, if not, why not?
(3) If the
government agrees that there is a causal link, what measures is the government
intending to take?
(4) Has the minister's department undertaken any
costings for such laws if they were introduced?
FIREFIGHTERS
69. Hon MATT BENSON-LIDHOLM to the Minister for Commerce:
I refer to the proposal for amendments to be made to existing
workers' compensation laws to include a rebuttable presumption that,
after a prescribed period of service, firefighters contracting certain forms of
cancer would be deemed to have contracted the disease through their work.
(1) Does the
government accept the scientific evidence of a strong causal link between
firefighters' occupational risks and contracting certain forms of
cancer; and, if not, why not?
(2) Does the
government accept that, because of the nature of the work undertaken, even with
thorough preventive measures there is still the prospect of contracting cancer;
and, if not, why not?
(3) If the
government agrees that there is a causal link, what measures is the government
intending to take?
(4) Has the minister's department undertaken any
costings for such laws if they were introduced?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question.
(1)–(3)
It is the government's intention to examine the possible adoption of
presumptive workers' compensation legislation for firefighters.
Scientific evidence is the key driver that will inform the government position
on this matter. Currently, Monash University is undertaking a comprehensive
Australia-wide research project examining the overall cancer rate and rates of
specific cancer types in Australian firefighters compared with those of the
general population. This was commissioned by the Australasian Fire and
Emergency Service Authorities Council. Western Australia is participating in
this research project through the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of
Western Australia. We are waiting for the results of this research.
(4) No.
question.
(1)–(3)
It is the government's intention to examine the possible adoption of
presumptive workers' compensation legislation for firefighters.
Scientific evidence is the key driver that will inform the government position
on this matter. Currently, Monash University is undertaking a comprehensive
Australia-wide research project examining the overall cancer rate and rates of
specific cancer types in Australian firefighters compared with those of the
general population. This was commissioned by the Australasian Fire and
Emergency Service Authorities Council. Western Australia is participating in
this research project through the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of
Western Australia. We are waiting for the results of this research.
(4) No.
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