The Victorian Greens will today introduce a bill to expand the number of cancers covered by the state’s firefighters presumptive cancer scheme.
The Greens say this is a long overdue reform that will better support women and gender diverse people in the field, and ensure Victorian firefighters have the same compensation cover as their federal counterparts.
The Firefighters’ Presumptive Rights Compensation Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 would add nine cancers to the state scheme, including:
Disease | Qualifying period |
Primary site lung cancer | 15 years |
Primary site skin cancer | 15 years |
Primary site cervical cancer | 10 years |
Primary site ovarian cancer | 10 years |
Primary site uterine cancer | 10 years |
Primary site penile cancer | 15 years |
Primary site pancreatic cancer | 10 years |
Malignant mesothelioma | 15 years |
Primary site thyroid cancer | 10 years |
Earlier this year the Victorian Labor Government announced its intention to expand the scheme following pressure from the Greens and the firefighters union, but they have yet to introduce any legislation to Parliament.
Their proposal also fell short of what the science demands, and would have only seen three cancers added to the scheme, rather than the recommended nine.
Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam, said last year the Commonwealth added eight cancers to the list covered by the Commonwealth firefighters presumptive scheme.
She said without Victoria following suit, state firefighters working at the airport would have more protection than firefighters working at a local station mere kilometres away, even when they are fighting the same fire together.
As stated by Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam MLC:
“Evidence collected from firefighters around the world has demonstrated firefighters are at risk of developing various cancers simply by virtue of the job they are required to perform – entering burning buildings to save Victorian lives and properties.
“It was a proud day when the law establishing the presumptive cancer scheme for firefighters passed the Victoria Parliament.
“The Greens have been champions of this scheme since the beginning with Adam Bandt instrumental in the Commonwealth scheme being established and Colleen Hartland a fierce advocate in Victoria for over a decade.
“But the scheme now needs updating.
“The Victorian Labor Government has previously indicated it plans to expand the scheme to include cervical, ovarian and uterine cancers, but this doesn’t go far enough.
“Our Bill includes these same important cancers to make the scheme more equitable but also matches the expansion to the Commonwealth scheme so Victorian firefighters and their families aren’t less protected than their federal counterparts.”
