Locked out: CFA volunteers fail to gain cancer compo
VICTORIA’S CFA volunteers have failed to gain access to cancer compensation, updates on their numbers and are about to lose the right to raise funds for more than 300 brigades.
VICTORIA’S CFA volunteers have failed to gain access to cancer compensation, or updates on their numbers and are about to lose the right to raise funds for more than 300 brigades.
The “CFA at a Glance” bulletin detailing volunteer, brigade and tanker numbers has not been published since October last year. The CFA annual report for 2017-18 has also not been released.
And now more than 1500 CFA volunteers face losing the right to raise funds for their brigades by offering the Fire Equipment Maintenance services to businesses, schools and hospitals across the state.
Until now CFA members could inspect and refill extinguishers and test fire hoses and hydrants at a cost of $6.50.
But the Andrews Government has introduced regulations that allow only qualified plumbers to inspect hoses and hydrants.
Meanwhile CFA firefighters are set to become the only volunteers in the nation without rights to compensation if they contract cancer.
All other states and territories now have legislation enabling volunteer and career firefighters, diagnosed with one of 12 cancers, to automatically qualify for compensation.
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The livestock industry and local community have reacted to Greenham’s closure of its Tongala cow processing plant.
Victorians want to feel guilt-free about eating meat
Research – to guide a Victorian Government-funded pro-agriculture campaign – has revealed how consumers feel about the state’s farmers and what issues need to be addressed.