United Firefighters Union calls on government to fix South Australia’s ‘woefully inadequate’ presumptive legislation scheme to include more types of cancer

Firefighters are pleading with the state government to fix its “woefully inadequate” cancer coverage scheme, which would leave South Australian first responders with far less protection than their interstate counterparts.

Former firefighter Jim Shannon, who is battling lung cancer, has called for the presumptive legislation scheme to be expanded. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Firefighters are pleading with the state government to fix its “woefully inadequate” presumptive cancer compensation scheme, which would leave South Australian first responders with far less protection than their interstate counterparts.

The United Firefighters Union (UFU) says Premier Peter Malinauskas must urgently intervene to expand the scheme so that it includes 23 types of cancer – in line with changes recently passed in Queensland.

Under state-by-state presumptive legislation schemes, firefighters diagnosed with certain cancers can access compensation without having to prove their condition arose from their employment.

The World Health Organisation has officially declared firefighting to be a cancer-causing profession based on exposure to smoke and other hazardous substances.

Legislation introduced by the government to parliament this month would add an additional three cancers – cervical, ovarian and uterine – to the scheme, taking the total number of cancers covered in SA to 15.

The UFU welcomed the extra three but said the legislation was still “a half measure that still leaves SA’s professional firefighters receiving significantly less protection than their interstate counterparts”.

UFU SA secretary Max Adlam. Picture: Russell Millard

Independent MLC Frank Pangallo. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Emma Brasier

It is calling on the government to match the Queensland scheme by adding malignant mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases as well as primary site liver, lung, pancreatic, penile, skin and thyroid cancers.

Independent MLC Frank Pangallo has stepped in and will this week introduce amendments to the legislation in line with the union’s request.

UFU SA secretary Max Adlam said the community has a moral obligation to support firefighters who are suffering as a result of their sacrifices.

“These are not statistics, they’re not numbers. These are real people who are suffering because of their service to the community,” she said.

“Firefighters are being left with large medical bills, and with uncertainty about how their families will financially manage after cancer diagnoses in South Australia. They do not have time to wait.”

Ms Adlam said the union has for months been requesting a meeting with Mr Malinauskas – only to be told that he is too busy for the rest of the year.

Mr Pangallo accused the government of “penny pinching” and said firefighters deserved protection in the workplace.

“The amendments I will introduce will ensure that happens,” he said.

“Expanding the legislation to include other cancers is plain common sense.”

A government spokeswoman said addition of the extra three cancers was aimed at supporting female firefighters.

“We urge the parliament to support this measure,” she said.

“The government will continue to consider the range of other cancers proposed by the United Firefighters Union, and take advice on the expected cost of such a reform.”