Emergency Services minister Jaclyn Symes defends delay in Fiskville redress scheme

The Andrews government has announced how much firefighters can access in payments after being exposed to dangerous chemicals at the CFA’s Fiskville base.

Firefighters who trained at Fiskville were exposed to the dangerous carcinogenic chemicals.

A long-awaited redress scheme for firefighters who trained at the CFA’s contaminated Fiskville base has finally been announced by the state government.

Emergency Services minister Jaclyn Symes announced the move on Friday, six years after the government accepted a parliamentary recommendation to implement such a scheme.

Fiskville was permanently closed in March 2015 because high levels of dangerous chemicals used in now-banned firefighting foam were found in the site’s water supply.

Tests showed firefighters were being exposed to the dangerous carcinogenic chemicals.

CFA’s Fiskville facility was closed in 2015.

Ms Symes said firefighters who trained at the contaminated base, as well as those who lived near the Fiskville site, would be among the expected 1,300 people eligible for redress.

They will have access to payments of up to $45,000.

Ms Symes said anyone who accessed redress would remain eligible to pursue further compensation through separate civil actions.

“This is not about compensation. This is a redress scheme, completely separate to legal rights, whether it’s under presumptive rights legislation, WorkCover or civil action,” she said.

Emergency Services minister Jaclyn Symes announced the details of the redress scheme on Friday. Picture: David Crosling

“Today is an important milestone, as we announce much-needed support those who have been affected by their time at Fiskville and acknowledge the harm caused to them and the community.

“Many are still dealing with the physical and mental effects of their time at Fiskville – today is about acknowledging that service in the name of keeping Victorians safe and the severe consequences that came from that.”

Ms Symes defended the delay in introducing the scheme, saying it was vital to conduct wide scale consultation.

“This was about hearing from every individual that was potentially exposed to harm at Fiskville, and those stories vary greatly,” she said.

Premier Daniel Andrews visiting the Fiskville facility in 2015. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“What we wanted to do was ensure that we had a scheme that was informed by individuals, not wanting to cut anyone out.

“I know it sounds like a long time to develop a scheme, that’s why it’s important this scheme doesn’t exclude people who may have passed away before it’s open.

“We think this scheme has got it right.”

The scheme, which opens on September 5, will provide mental health and medical support to participants.

It will also include non-financial support such as case management and counselling.

The Herald Sun broke the Fiskville story in December 2011 after respected former chief officer Brian Potter — dying from multiple cancers and suffering from a rare auto-immune disease — spoke out, saying he believed he and others were victims of the toxic site.

The announcement was welcomed by the CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria.

FRV Acting Deputy Commissioner Mick Tisbury said he hoped the scheme would provide some closure to those affected and their families.