Push for Andrews government to bolster cancer compensation for female firefighters

The Andrews government is being urged to expand compensation offerings for female firefighters who contract cancer while on the job.

The Andrews government is facing calls to further expand compensation offerings to female firefighters who contract cancer while on the job.

Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes on Friday confirmed three new cancers — cervical, ovarian and uterine — would fall under statewide presumptive legislation.

“These are cancers that obviously impact women,” she said.

“We know that firefighting is an inherently dangerous occupation. We know it’s evident that it can lead to contracting cancer.

“The least we can do is ensure they have that comfort they know that in the event of contracting cancer, it is easier to claim compensation.”

But Victoria’s powerful firefighter union blasted the government’s move to only include three cancers under the expansion.

Currently, Victorian firefighters can access presumptive compensation for specified cancers they contract while serving as a firefighter.

Leukaemia, as well as cancers in the brain, breast, testicles, bladder, prostate and oesophagus are all covered in the scheme.

Victorian firefighters can access presumptive compensation for specified cancers they contract while serving as a firefighter. Picture: David Crosling

The Greens this week proposed to include eight types of cancer in the scheme — including thyroid, pancreatic, skin and lung cancers — which would bring Victoria in line with federal legislation.

United Firefighters Union boss Peter Marshall said Victorian firefighters would not be afforded the same protections as aviation firefighters working at Tullamarine or Avalon airports who are protected by federal laws.

“Victoria’s professional firefighters will be left with a second-rate, substandard set of presumptive cancer laws, and frankly, that’s a disgraceful way to treat firefighters who put their lives on the line to protect the community that they serve,” he said.

“This announcement is little more than a political stunt designed to make the Andrews government look good. It has absolutely no substance.”

In the last parliament, former Derryn Hinch Justice Party MP Tania Maxwell led the push for an expansion of these protections to women.

Ms Maxwell said she was “ecstatic” that female firefighters would be given the same protections as their male counterparts.

“It’s emotionally so elating to know these women are finally going to be treated with equality, if heaven forbid, they get cancer,” she said.

Greens leader Samantha Ratnam said the minor party would move amendments to the legislation when parliament returned.

“The reality is Victorian firefighters will remain less protected than their federal counterparts,” she said.

The government’s scheme will also apply to mechanics who are employed by the CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria.

Since the legislation was enacted, 211 claims have been processed.