[Greens-Media] Win for Firefighters as SA Upper House Passes Greens' Cancer Compensation Bill

[Franks, Office]

May 15, 2013

Win for Firefighters as SA Upper House Passes Greens' Cancer Compensation Bill

The SA Legislative Council this evening voted to pass the Greens' Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation (Protection for Firefighters) Amendment Bill - a Bill to provide cancer compensation to both paid and volunteer firefighters.
Greens' Emergency Services and Volunteers spokesperson Tammy Franks said she was pleased with the outcome.

"This is an extremely important reform for the state's Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) firefighters and Country Fire Service (CFS) volunteers," Ms Franks said.

"Only members elected as Labor members voted against this Bill, while the rest of the Parliament showed their support for all firefighters.

"This Bill will ensure that firefighters who meet service requirements are eligible to receive compensation should they contract one of 12 specified cancers scientifically linked with the act of fighting fires.

"One more hurdle to this important law remains: its successful passage through the Lower House. I am pleased to announce that Independent Geoff Brock will now move the Bill in the House of Assembly.

"However, I remain disappointed that the Weatherill Government still has not supported this legislation.

"Instead, after Greens' lobbying the Government last year committed to a compensation scheme to protect paid firefighters only.
"The Greens believe that the state's 13,500 CFS volunteers deserve the same protection.

"Put simply, carcinogens don't discriminate and nor should the Parliament.

"CFS volunteers often stand side by side with their paid comrades to fight fires in this state and to ignore this Bill is to ignore the immense contribution of these South Australians.

"CFS volunteers face thousands of incidents each year, equating to more than 200,000 hours of service in South Australia alone.

"This is an exciting day for firefighters in this state and I am calling on the Weatherill Government to heed the views of the Legislative Council by changing its position and voting to get this Bill over the line," Ms Franks concluded.

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