In the fight of his life, firey lines up Bill Shorten

Robert Gibbs has fought fires for more than a decade, cancer for four years and yesterday he took on Bill Shorten.

Cassandra Beale and daughter Myah meet the Opposition Leader at Casey Hospital. ‘It’s been quite an experience,’ she said of the birth. Picture: AAP

Robert Gibbs fought fires in country Victoria for more than a decade, has been fighting cancer for four years and yesterday took on Bill Shorten.

Mr Gibbs, who has battled chronic myeloid leukaemia since 2015 and now uses a wheelchair, interrupted Mr Shorten’s press conference outside Melbourne’s Casey Hospital yesterday to question Labor’s ability to deliver on its $2.3 billion cancer care plan.

The 48-year-old volunteer firefighter asked the Opposition Leader how he could be trusted to deliver his cancer package when Victorian Labor Premier Daniel Andrews’ squabbles with the state’s Country Fire Authority had held up his compensation.

“Mr Shorten, how are we supposed to believe your potential government when Mr Andrews has done nothing but make my life hard and of other people, volunteers, with cancer?” Mr Gibbs asked. “Like, honestly, Bill, it’s just hard to believe that you’re saying (you’re) going to help out with cancer and everything else for people.

“I’ve spent the last four years in and out of hospital that long that my daughter is worried that is her dad ever going to come home. I have a six-year-old daughter.”

Bill Shorten talks to Robert Gibbs about his treatment. Picture: AAP

Mr Gibbs is the sort of person Mr Shorten wants to help with his cancer care plan to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for patients. The firefighter from Cowwarr, a small town near Traralgon in eastern Victoria, paid $1500 yesterday for an MRI scan and has paid $15,000 to $20,000 in the past year alone.

“Over the last two months I’ve lost two toes … if it doesn’t improve I’m going to lose my foot up to my knee,” he said after a private chat to Mr Shorten.

But a compensation scheme for volunteer firefighters has failed to get past the Victorian parliament, linked to a long-running dispute between Mr Andrews and the CFA, and Mr Gibbs has lost hope in politicians.

Mr Shorten heard Mr Gibbs’ concerns both in front of, and away from, the cameras and promised to deliver on his cancer plan. His office took his number and pledged to keep in touch.

“If I am prime minister I do want to reduce your out-of-pocket costs,’’ Mr Shorten said. “If you’ve had a very fortunate experience, everything’s been free, that’s great. But I can tell by the shaking of your head that that’s not happened.

“I apologise for what you’ve had to go through. I want to do better … you’re a volunteer, you’re in the battle of your life.

Inside Casey Hospital, Mr Shorten met new parents Jodi Nankervis and Cassandra Beale, 24 hours after the birth of their second child, a daughter named Myah. Ms Beale said she was feeling well after the delivery.

“I am pretty tired and looking forward to catching up on some sleep,” she said. “It’s been quite an experience.”