By JESSE GRAHAM
FIREFIGHTERS have vowed to continue fighting for cancer compensation legislation, after the proposal for a bill was defeated in state Parliament last week.
President of Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria in District 13 Bill Watson said he was heartened by how close the vote was, but that firefighters were “dealt a blow” by the bill being voted down.
“The vote has demonstrated that we are close to getting this over the line and many politicians have supported this important proposed legislation,” he said.
“Volunteer firefighters will continue to vigorously pursue a positive response from our politicians until legislation is passed.”
The Accident Compensation Legislation (Fair Protection for Firefighters) Bill 2011 had been discussed in Parliament on 21 August, 4 September and 18 September after a motion was put forward by Greens MP Colleen Hartland.
Ms Hartland said that after Victorian Government MPs filibustered the debate in the first two parliament sessions, the motion to introduce the bill in 18 September to the lower house was defeated 20 votes to 18.
Under the proposed legislation, firefighters diagnosed with one of 12 cancers which have proved to be related to their work and developed in a specific timeframe, could automatically receive compensation.
Currently, firefighters are only able to receive compensation under the Accident Compensation Act if they can prove a clear link between their workplace and their injuries or disease.
When contacted earlier this month, Assistant Treasurer Gordon Rich-Phillips said that the Victorian Government was not ruling out presumptive legislation in the future.
In response to the call for a better means of accessing compensation, Mr Rich-Phillips and Police and Emergency Services MP Kim Wells announced the formation of a Firefighters Assessment Panel.
The panel will be managed by the Victorian WorkCover Authority (VWA) and the CFA, using medical, technical and claims specialists to assess firefighter’s cancer claims.
However, Mr Watson said he feels the panel would be a barrier to firefighters receiving compensation compared to presumptive legislation, while Ms Hartland said the fight is far from over.
“We’ve fought and won bigger battles, and this one is just beginning,” she said.
