[Greens-Media] Sick firefighters can’t afford any more delays

[Colleen.Hartland at parliament.vic.gov.au]

Sick firefighters can’t afford any more delays
Greens MP Colleen Hartland says firefighters with cancer caused by their 
work can’t afford any more delays and has called on the Premier to meet 
with her and negotiate to pass her Fair Protection for Firefighters Bill 
as quickly as possible.
“A parliamentary committee has looked at my Fair Protection for 
Firefighters Bill and agree it can proceed,” said Colleen Hartland, 
Victorian Greens spokesperson for Emergency Services. “There’s several 
options, but firefighters can’t afford further delays and the government 
needs to get serious about this, meet with me and get the legislation 
passed.” *
“I don’t care how it’s done or who does it, this is not about politics, 
it’s about helping sick firefighters now.”
“Any arguments about money are heartless. We’re not talking about a lot of 
claims, but more importantly we’re talking about firefighters who put 
their lives on the line for us and their families.”
“They need our support and there’s no excuse for any further delays.”
Monash University researchers recently confirmed that the science on the 
connection between firefighters exposure to toxic smoke and chemicals and 
cancer is settled, saying ‘‘There is already good evidence showing 
firefighting is associated with an increased risk of several types of 
cancer .... waiting for more research findings leads to unacceptable 
delays, possibly extending into years." **
“I will be working with the community and firefighters to secure a meeting 
with the Premier and get this critical and urgent legislation passed,” 
concluded Colleen Hartland.

* On 12 June 2013 the Economy and Infrastructure Legislation Committee 
tabled its report on the Accident Compensation Legislation (Fair 
Protection for Firefighters) Bill 2011. An electronic copy of the Report 
can be downloaded here: 
http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/eic/legislation-committee/inquiries/article/2100
** Letter from Monash University researchers: 
http://vicmps.greens.org.au/sites/greens.org.au/files/130529%20Letter%20from%20Monash%20re%20Firefighters%20science.pdf

Media and comment: Colleen Hartland on 9689 6373
 
 
 
 
Colleen Hartland MLC
Western Metropolitan Region
E: colleen.hartland at parliament.vic.gov.au
P: 9689 6373
W: http://mps.vic.greens.org.au/


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Parliament of Victoria                                                                                                                    . 
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