In September 2015, Queensland Parliament voted for the highest level of firefighter cancer support in Australia.
The following is a historical blow-by-blow of how we got there.
Landmark legislation to protect firefighters
Thursday, 11 Dec 2014
The RFBAQ welcomes this momentous announcement from Premier Newman, and his Governments assurances that volunteer firefighters in Queensland will have the same rights to presumptive legislation as any other firefighter without any discriminatory qualifying or attendance prerequisites.
This was 1 of 6 key election policy requests that the RFBAQ sent to every political party in Queensland leading up to the 2015 state election, with further work being undertaken between the Newman Government and the RFBAQ on the remaining 5 policy requests.
Queensland firefighters who serve their community and suffer from a life threatening cancer are being assisted through new legislation to be introduced by the Newman LNP Government.
Premier Campbell Newman said thousands of firefighters across Queensland would benefit from the new laws which will support them in times of need.
“Everyday thousands of firefighters work to protect their community and under this LNP Government’s new laws, if a firefighter who serves their community contracts a life threatening cancer, we will support them,” Mr Newman said.
“It doesn’t matter if you rescue a family from a house fire, or save a small business, we are here for you when you need it.
“This legislation means firefighters will be entitled to compensation if they suffer certain work related diseases.
“Only the LNP will continue to support our hardworking emergency services.”
Fire and Emergency Services Minister Jack Dempsey said the new legislation would protect every firefighter from Burketown to Brisbane.
“The LNP has a strong plan for safe communities and to provide every firefighter with the tools they need to serve Queenslanders,” Mr Dempsey said.
“Our strong team will deliver support to urban, auxiliary and rural firefighters who suffer cancers including prostate and breast cancer.
“We will consult with stakeholders and the community to ensure that our laws and strong plan deliver for Queensland’s firefighters.”
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Lee Johnson said the changes would ensure that firefighters responding over summer had peace of mind on the fire ground.
“This legislation will give great peace of mind to our hard working paid and volunteer firefighters,” Mr Johnson said.
“It’s recognition that we put our lives on the line and our efforts are being repaid and supported in times of need.”
Presumptive Legislation goes before QLD Parliament TODAY!
Tuesday, 2 Jun 2015
This landmark legislation will provide the highest level of support in any Australian State or Territory.
Presumptive legislation relates to fire fighters having a higher prevalence of a number of types of cancer than is seen in the general community. The presumption is that if you have not participated in activities that make you more susceptible to those types of cancer, then you are deemed to have contracted the cancer from your fire fighting activities.
During the lead up to the last Queensland State election, the RFBAQ wrote to, and received written undertakings from all the major political parties.
The LNP, Labor, Katter’s Australia, The Greens and One Nation all supported the RFBAQ in calling for the introduction of legislation that protected all fire fighters irrespective of pay status or the colour of the fire engine.
With the introduction of this Private Members Bill by the LNP today, the RFBAQ counts on the support of 89 members of the Queensland Parliament.
With 35,000 volunteer fire fighters in Queensland, covering 93% of the state, Rural Fire Brigades provide the majority of response and recovery operations to flood, fire, cyclone and any other disaster that affects the diverse communities that brigades defend.
In rural Queensland the use of fire as a land management tool and the provision of fire permits is controlled through the 2,600 volunteer Fire Wardens.
Queensland Presumptive Legislation for all Fire Fighters and Fire Wardens – What’s the go?
Friday, 12 Jun 2015
A bit of history
The position of the RFBAQ is the same as the national position of the Council of Australian Volunteers Fire Associations (CAVFA = 257,000 volunteer fire fighters nationally) which is that there should be no discriminatory qualifying periods for volunteer fire fighters.
The first example of why volunteers deserve the same level of support is that a number of Rural Fire Brigades are co-located with Auxiliary stations, and to have a part time fire fighter and a volunteer standing side by side in the same smoke at the same fire with two different levels of coverage is discriminatory.
Another example is Greenbank RFB which in the 12 months from March to March this year attended 173 call-outs.
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60% were grass/bushfire
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10% were structural fires
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10% were car fires
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10% were large animal rescues
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10% were road traffic crashes
This volume of call-outs for Greenbank RFB compare to or exceed those of some Auxiliary stations in Queensland and the carcinogens released from structural fires and car fires are well documented. These figures also show that Rural Fire Brigades do far more than just bushfire, and do defend their communities from all hazards.
The third example is of Auxiliary Stations that have been transitioned to Rural Fire Brigades. This is where a towns like Mungallala have had their Auxiliary Station shut down and replaced by a Rural Fire Brigade. Restrictive presumptive legislation requirements would see the former Auxiliary firefighters not covered for presumptive legislation now that they are fighting the same fires due to them now being volunteers and riding a yellow truck instead of a red one.
The position of the RFBAQ is that the smoke does not discriminate between the colour of your truck or your pay status, so why should presumptive legislation.
In regards to the Tasmanian legislation, the two bodies that represent part time and volunteer firefighters in Tasmania are both members of CAVFA and are now in discussions with the new Liberal State Gvt to have the discriminatory legislation removed.
The South Australian presumptive legislation initially had discriminatory qualifying periods for volunteer fire fighters, and as was always going to happen the South Australian Government has had to amend the legislation to a non-discriminatory model.
The number of claims from volunteer fire fighters in South Australia has been 3 in the last 2 years - so not the tidal wave that the Gvt in South Australia used as an excuse to initially discriminate against volunteers in the initial legislation.
The one hurdle that the South Australian Country Fire Service Volunteer Association will change in the future is that there is a 10 year sunset clause where you will not be covered once you cease being a volunteer fire fighter, this clause does not exist for paid fire fighters who can always claim. This discrimination was identified in March 2015 by the South Australian Parliamentary Committee on Occupational Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (below)
REPORT INTO THE REFERRAL OF THE WORKERS REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION (SACFS FIREFIGHTERS) AMENDMENT BILL
CONCLUSION The Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation (SACFS) Amendment Bill which was introduced into Parliament on 7 May 2014 has since been superseded by a commitment by the Deputy Premier and the Minister for Emergency Services to provide SACFS volunteer firefighters with the same automatic entitlements to compensation to 12 prescribed cancers as career firefighters, without the need for them to prove how and when they may have contracted the cancer. Since the Ministerial announcement, amendments have been made to section 31 of the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1986 and to Schedule 3 of the Return to Work Act 2014 (which has not yet commenced). SACFS volunteer firefighters and SAMFS firefighters now have the same presumptive protection in the event that they contract any one of the 12 prescribed cancers. However, volunteer firefighters have a 10 year time limit within which to make a claim after ceasing operational activities, while career firefighters are not prevented from making a claim at any time in the future. This time restriction imposed on volunteer firefighters is likely to preclude some retired volunteer firefighters from making a claim for cancers of extremely long latency, unless they can prove a connection to their previous work as a volunteer firefighter. The Monash University research confirms that volunteer firefighters are at an increased risk of dying in a fire and of contracting some cancers and this risk increases with more time served. Therefore, the prescribed qualification periods should be sufficient to establish a connection to work as a firefighter without the need for further barriers such as time limits. There is a need for ongoing research into this area and as the knowledge associated with this dangerous work increases through collaborative scientific work, legislative protections may need to be amended to reflect the emerging knowledge.
Another consideration that the South Australian Country Fire Service Volunteer Association is pursuing is that the fire fighting vehicles need to be classified as a part of the fire ground, as a fire fighter can be exposed to carcinogens through contact with a contaminated vehicle in the fire station.
What's happening here?
During the lead up to the last Queensland State election, the RFBAQ wrote to, and received written undertakings from all the major political parties.
The LNP, Labor, Katter's Australia, The Greens and One Nation all supported the RFBAQ in calling for the introduction of legislation that protected all fire fighters irrespective of pay status or the colour of the fire engine.
Post the 2015 Queensland State Election, the RFBAQ approached again the three political parties represented in the Queensland Parliament and reinforced the call for Presumptive Legislation for all fire fighters without discriminatory qualifying periods for volunteers.
On Thursday, 7 May 2015 the Hon. Jo Ann Miller Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services and Minister for Corrective Services stated to Parliament that -
'The Palaszczuk Labor government will move quickly to provide protection for our hardworking and dedicated firefighters, both full time and auxiliary, and also to some members of the rural fire brigades.'
Subsequent to discussions with the current government, the Ministers Office wrote to the RFBAQ that their preferred model is the Tasmanian model that sees volunteer fire fighters required to attend over 150 fires over 5 years before qualifying for presumptive legislation. This same legislation would see full time and part time firefighters covered immediately.
The RFBAQ has made clear to all political parties that by bringing in discriminatory legislation would disenfranchise volunteers and lead to a campaign whereby the Government would need to amend the legislation in the future to fully cover volunteers as was the case in South Australia, and that they should adopt a best practice model initially and cover all fire fighters.
On Wednesday 3rd June 2015, Mr Jarrod Bleijie Shadow Minister for Police, Fire, Emergency Services and Corrective Services presented to Parliament a Private Members Bill to amend the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003.
This landmark draft legislation will provide the highest level of support in any Australian State or Territory, and will cover all fire fighters and Fire Wardens with no discriminatory prerequisites for volunteers such as the Tasmanian model and no discriminatory sunset clauses for volunteers as identified by the South Australian Parliamentary Committee.
What happens next
Now that the Bill has been before Parliament it will move to the Committee stage where 6 Members of Parliament who form the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee can choose to call for submissions regarding this Bill and will make recommendations to Parliament as to whether the Bill should be supported or not or that the Bill should be amended. This must be dealt with by the Committee within 6 months of the Bill being sent to Committee.
Members of the Committee are:
This means that it must be returned by the 1st week in December.
Once the Committee submission guidelines and dates are made available, the RFBAQ will provide this information to Brigades and volunteers so that your opinions can be voiced to the Committee.
Once the Bill has transitioned out of Committee it can be brought to the house for a final reading and vote.
This is where the Bill gets over 45 votes, under 45 votes or is amended to be something different from what it was originally intended to be.
If it does not come out of Committee until December then it cannot be voted on until sometime in 2016, as the Parliamentary sitting dates have not been set for next year. Although the Committee can recommend that it is dealt with sooner, and if this happens then it could potentially be voted on this year.
The RFBAQ will continue to produce updates on the progression of this Bill, as it is a matter of vital importance to all 36,000 volunteer fire fighters in Queensland who through their 1,440 Rural Fire Brigades defend over 93% of Queensland.
Support all firefighters for Presumptive Legislation
Friday, 10 Jul 2015
A3 “Support Poster” allows all Members of Parliament to show that they support all firefighters for Presumptive Legislation.
You can print off and have your local MP fill in their name, sign and date the poster.
Please send a copy of the photo to the RFBAQ so their support can be widely acknowledged.
Queensland Members of Parliament must choose
Wednesday, 15 Jul 2015
You can’t be a little bit pregnant, you either are or you’re not.
The same applies with the upcoming vote in Parliament; MP’s either support their volunteer firefighters or they don’t.
On Wednesday 3rd June 2015, Mr Jarrod Bleijie Shadow Minister for Police, Fire, Emergency Services and Corrective Services presented to Parliament a Private Members Bill to amend the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003.
This landmark draft legislation will provide the highest level of support for all firefighters in any Australian State or Territory, and will cover all firefighters and Fire Wardens with no discriminatory prerequisites. This means that full time, part time and volunteer firefighters will be fairly covered should they contract cancer while defending their communities.
In a meeting on Wednesday 8th July 2015 with Queensland Treasury, the Palaszczuk Labor government presented their draft Bill to go before Parliament and this contains the section where full time firefighters are covered from their 1st fire, part time firefighters are covered from their 1st fire and volunteer firefighters will need to attend a minimum of 150 fires before they receive cancer coverage. The RFBAQ were not allowed to take a copy of the draft Bill from the room, has not had the ability to receive advice on the draft Bill and has not had the opportunity to consult the volunteer Board that directs RFBAQ policy. The RFBAQ clearly stated to Treasury that this single short meeting is not considered consultation.
The RFBAQ on the 12th June supplied a large background information piece to volunteers and brigades and now calls on all Rural Fire Brigades, volunteer firefighters, Fire Wardens and concerned members of the public to ensure that your voice is heard in stopping this discrimination.
On Wednesday 15th July the Palaszczuk Labor government presented to Parliament a Bill that sees volunteer firefighter needing to attend 150 fires before they can access Presumptive Legislation.
Every MP must now choose to support a Bill that supports all firefighters or vote for a Bill that discriminates against the 1,441 Rural Fire Brigades and the 36,000 volunteer firefighters that defend 93% of Queensland.
Parliamentary Committee MP's will be taking submissions on firefighter cancer coverage are also Members of Parliament whose electorates and communities are defended by volunteer firefighters.
Head of the Parliamentary Committee that can support volunteer firefighters is Mr Mark Furner MP, Member for Ferny Grove - ALP (click here to view Ferny Grove map).
The Ferny Grove electorate is 244 sq klm, Rural Fire Brigades cover 193 sq klm = 80%
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5 brigades
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284 volunteers
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6 stations (1 brigade has 2 stations)
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15 yellow rural fire trucks
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1 support vehicle
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2 slip on firefighting units
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2 trailer firefighting units
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22 Fire Warden Districts
There are no Urban Fire and Rescue Stations within the Ferny Grove electorate.
A Labor Member of the Parliamentary Committee that can support volunteer firefighters is Jim Madden MP, Member for Ipswich West - ALP (click here to view Ipswich West map).
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Rural Fire Brigades covers approx. 75% of the Ipswich West electorate.
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8 Rural Fire Brigades
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7 Rural Fire Brigade Stations, 1 currently being built
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384 Volunteers
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23 yellow rural fire trucks
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2 Support vehicles
A Labor Member of the Parliamentary Committee that can support volunteer firefighters is Mark Ryan, MP, Member for Morayfield - ALP (click here to view Morayfield map).
The Morayfield Electorate is 127 sq klm, Rural Fire Brigades cover 70.57 sq klm = 56%
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3 Rural Fire Brigades
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186 volunteers
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9 yellow rural fire trucks
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1 support vehicle.
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1 fire warden
There are 2 urban stations within boundary (Caboolture and Burpengary).
It would be difficult to see how these MP’s could vote against supporting the majority of firefighters in their own electorates.
The Honourable Jo-Ann Miller MP is the Minister responsible for Fire and Emergency Services and therefore the Minister responsible for supporting volunteer firefighters can be contacted on:
Shop 39, St Ives Shopping Centre, 2 Smiths Road, Goodna Qld 4300
(PO Box 122, Goodna Qld 4300)
Email
Ph: 07 3447 9100
Fax: 07 3447 9109
The RFBAQ encourages all who wish to ensure that this discrimination does not go ahead to contact your local MP and /or use the A3 “pledge to support” poster.
If you have a photo with your MP and the “pledge to support” poster, please email a copy to the RFBAQ so that pledge can be acknowledged and widely distributed.
How you can make your volunteering voice heard
Write a letter to your local MP
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Identify yourself as a voter in their electorate. Find your local MP and CC your local (insert new external contact list) as they will be working together with other brigades in your district on behalf of RFB volunteers
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Make letter as personal as possible so that it is clear that your letter is not a generic template, insert any previous support you have given or received from your MP
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Use handwriting if it is legible and neat, do not write in UPPER CASE
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Keep it to one page
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Identify why you are writing
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Support your position with three key points, try not to ramble (keep on topic)
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Don’t criticize your MP, if you want something from them be polite and rational
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Sign the letter and add your full name and address, this will allow the MP to send you an acknowledgement as well as confirming that you are a voter in their electorate
Letters to the editor (local or state newspaper)
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MPs’ and their staff read their local papers and pay attention to the Editorial section and
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Letters to the Editor
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As above, keep your letter to one page @ 250 – 300 words
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As above, Identify why you are writing
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As above, support position with three key points, try not to ramble
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As above, sign the letter and add your full name and address
Meet your MP
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The most effective way to make your point with your MP is in person
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Ring your local MP in their electorate office and ask for a meeting
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Do not ring when Parliament is sitting as your MP will be in Brisbane
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Identify why you want the meeting
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Do not go as a group
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Keep to the topic you want to talk about
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Support your position with three key points, try not to ramble (keep on topic)
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Provide local evidence of what needs to change
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Ask them for their support and what will happen next
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Thank your MP for the meeting
Ask your MP to attend your Brigade meeting
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Having your local MP attend a brigade meeting is an excellent way to physically demonstrate the capacity of your local RFB
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Ring your local MP in their electorate office and advise of the time and place of your next meeting
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Advise the MP’s office of the topics that you wish to discuss
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Do not use this as an opportunity to demean or ambush your local MP with matters not agreed for discussion
Become their Facebook friend
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Facebook is a valuable tool as it is real time and other constituents can read the posts
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MP’s monitor their Facebook account regularly and use it to judge community sentiment
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Keep your message short – people have a limited attention span on Facebook
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Do not write anything abusive or defamatory as your name will be next to your post
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Check all posts on a word document first – as spelling mistakes take away from your message
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Be aware that people will probably attach other matters to your post
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Do not get angry and type if someone disagrees with you – be calm and rational
You will be the face of 36,000 volunteers, so you through your actions and what you say represent us all.
Almost half of all State MP’s Commit to support all Firefighters by signing pledge
Friday, 17 Jul 2015
On Friday, 10th July the RFBAQ widely distributed A3 posters requesting all members of parliament to support all firefighters equally for the proposed new cancer coverage.
There has been a groundswell of support already here you can look up if your MP has supplied a photo and signed the pledge. The RFBAQ looks forward to all 89 State MP’s pledging their support for all firefighters in Queensland.
If your MP is not listed here you can download a copy of the A3 pledge supportand send it through to your local State member, contact details can be found here.
For more details of Presumptive Legislation please contact our offices on 5450 5130 or by email.
Want to keep up to date, register online for RFBAQ news items and updates.
‘Rural Fire Brigades – the backbone of a resilient community’
Smoke and cancer does not discriminate between the colour of your truck or your pay status.
Wednesday, 22 Jul 2015
Rural Fire Call to Action
There are 2 Bills in front of Parliament for Presumptive Legislation in Queensland.
Discriminatory Government Bill where Volunteer fire fighters need to attend 150 fires and full time and part time firefighters only have to attend 1 fire, which was presented to Parliament last Wednesday 15th July.
Equal and Fair Private Members Bill where volunteer, part time and full time firefighters and Fire Wardens need to attend 1 fire, which was presented to Parliament on the 3rd June (but the Parliamentary Committee didn’t do anything about it)
The Government is rushing both bills through the Committee process in the hope that their discriminatory bill will get little opposition and they can force it through.
VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS CANNOT ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN!
The Committee has opened up for submissions only until the 6th August.
Brigades, Volunteers and concerned members of the public must make their voices heard before the 6thAugust or your submission may not be accepted.
This is your chance to tell Parliament what you want in a law that will not only impact you, but on all firefighters in Queensland and our children when they follow us into our Brigades.
The RFBAQ has made clear to all political parties that by bringing in discriminatory legislation would disenfranchise volunteers and lead to a campaign whereby the Government would need to amend the legislation in the future to fully cover volunteers as was the case in South Australia, and that they should adopt a best practice model initially and cover all fire fighters.
If 45 MP’s or more vote for the equal and fair Bill then this will be the new level of coverage.
If 45 MP’s or more vote for the Governments discriminatory Bill then generations of volunteers and Fire Wardens will not be covered.
Submissions on Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Bills - change of closing date for submissions
Thursday, 23 Jul 2015
The Finance and Administration Committee has this afternoon agreed to extend the closing date for submissions on Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 and Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation (Protecting Firefighters) Amendment Bill 2015 until 4:00pm on Thursday 6 August 2015.
Parliamentary Committee asks Brigades what they want; and you had better hurry up!
Monday, 27 Jul 2015
On Friday 24th July the Parliamentary Finance and Administration Committee wrote to the 1st Officer of every registered Rural Fire Brigade in Queensland. (See copy of letter below, or click here for PDF) asking for brigade and volunteer submissions regarding the 2 different proposed cancer laws for firefighters that are presently before the Parliamentary Committee.
The Committee has contacted the RFBAQ asking for the association to support this call and to try and reach as many brigades and volunteers as possible.
The closing date for submissions is 10:00am on Monday 10 August 2015.
The RFBAQ encourages all brigade volunteers to contact their 1st Officer and make submissions on the proposed cancer laws before the 6th August deadline.
The RFBAQ is aware that this very limited window does not allow most brigades to table this matter at the monthly brigade meeting and has had noted by the Parliamentary Committee that any lack of overwhelming response by brigades does not mean that they endorse the Governments proposed discriminatory cancer laws, rather, that with less than a fortnights notice, brigades will be unable to meet, discuss and prepare a submission.
Message from Parliament - Submissions on Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Bills - change of closing date for submissions
Wednesday, 5 Aug 2015
ALL BRIGADES TAKE NOTE!
The Finance and Administration Committee have this afternoon advised the following:
Submissions
Due to a number of extension requests, the Finance and Administration Committee has agreed to extend the closing date for submissions on the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 and the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation (Protecting Firefighters) Amendment Bill 2015 inquiries until 10:00am on Monday 10 August 2015.
Public departmental briefing
Please note a public departmental briefing on Thursday 6 August from 9:30am to 10:30am will be broadcast and can be accessed through here.
Public hearing
Additionally, a public hearing has been scheduled for Thursday 13 August 2015 commencing at 1:30pm. Stakeholders will be provided with further information once submissions have closed.
Hansard recordings of both the departmental briefing and public hearing will be available for viewing on the Queensland Parliament webpage.
Firefighter cancer legislation – where are we up to and what happens next?
Monday, 17 Aug 2015
Written submissions to the Parliamentary Committee closed on Monday 10th August and a very large number of submissions have been received and you can read them here.
Government Bill that sees volunteers needing to attend 150 fires under the schedule and paid staff attending 1 fire under the schedule.
Private Members Bill that sees all firefighters treated equally and requiring attendance at 1 fire under the schedule
The overwhelming majority of submissions saw the desire for all firefighters to be treated equally.
Firefighter and Rural Fire Brigade support and representative organisations such as the Queensland Auxiliary Firefighters Association (QAFA), Firefighter Cancer Foundation and the RFBAQ stated support for all firefighters equally in their submissions.
The exception to this was the submission from the United Firefighters Union Australia that stated that volunteers should attend 150 fires under the schedule to gain coverage.
On Thursday 13th August the Committee held a hearing in Parliament where the 5 representative organisations were able to supply committee members will further information to support their submissions.
Attending this hearing was –
Mr Steve Bunney - Firefighter Cancer Foundation Australia
Ms Leeha James - Firefighter Cancer Foundation Australia
Mr Justin Choveaux – RFBAQ
Mr Alan Gillespie AFSM – RFBAQ
Mr Peter Marshall – United Firefighters Union Australia
Ms Joanne Watson - United Firefighters Union Australia
Mr John Oliver - United Firefighters Union Queensland
Mr Rodger Sambrooks - Queensland Auxiliary Firefighters Association
In this hearing the United Firefighters Union stated that volunteer firefighters should attend 150 fires under the schedule before accessing coverage.
The other listed organisations stated that all firefighters should be treated equally.
Link to transcript here.
-> Link to video here <-
The RFBAQ states that the position of the United Firefighters Union does not appear to be the position of many of the fulltime or part time firefighters that RFBAQ elected representatives have spoken to. The position of these firefighters is that ‘fire does not discriminate between the colour of your truck, so why would the legislation?’
As fire season is well and truly here, with volunteer firefighters on the yellow trucks and paid firefighters on the red fire trucks out jointly defending their communities; the RFBAQ would like to thank the Firefighter Cancer Foundation Australia and the Queensland Auxiliary Firefighters Association for their support of all firefighters regardless of their pay status.
Where to from here?
There are still 2 Bills regarding firefighter cancer before the Parliamentary Committee.
The Members of Parliament on the Committee are still undertaking hearings on both Bills.
The Committee must provide a report to Parliament by Friday 4th September 2015.
This is when both Bills will move back to Parliament for a second reading.
‘Debate on the second reading is a free ranging debate and may address the principles of the Bill, the portfolio committee’s examination and report and any amendments recommended by the committee.
Proposed amendments during consideration in detail are sometimes foreshadowed in this debate. Also, the Minister might foreshadow amendments when, at the end of the debate, he or she sums up the debate and comments on contributions from other members.’
This is the process where all 89 Members of the Queensland Parliament will be able to show their support for all Queensland firefighters and vote for fair and equitable legislation that does not require volunteers to be exposed to a double barrier to access potential compensation.
In the Treasurer’s introductory speech for this legislation he stated that -
‘The threshold introduced by the LNP unjustly denied access to common law rights to many workers permanently injured due to negligence on the part of their employer.’
‘Labor went to the Queensland state election committing to remove the unfair threshold if we were elected to government..’
‘This bill will restore fairness and balance to Queensland’s workers compensation scheme and our democratic process.’
The RFBAQ again calls on all members of Parliament to support a Bill that does not have an unfair threshold for volunteers.
All State MP contact details.
“Rural Fire Brigades, the backbone of a resilient community”
Message from Parliament - Submissions on Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Bills - change to reporting date
Friday, 4 Sep 2015
Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 and Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation (Protecting Firefighters) Amendment Bill 2015 – change to reporting date
The Committee wishes to advise that the reporting date for the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 and the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation (Protecting Firefighters) Amendment Bill 2015 has been extended to Tuesday 8 September 2015.
If you have any queries regarding the above please do not hesitate to contact the committee secretariat on telephone 3553 6637 or email fac@parliament.qld.gov.au
Additional information:
Link to article in Sunshine Coast Daily "Fire cancer compensation report delayed"
Parliamentary Committee recommends all firefighters are equal
The report into Firefighter cancer report was released this evening and the discriminatory 150 fire attendance for volunteer firefighters has been dropped to the same number that paid and part time fire firefighters need to attend, which is 1.
Due to the historically poor record keeping of the fire service, volunteers will need to have their claims assessed by a Government Panel until a proven record keeping system is implemented and to be shown to be workable.
This is a great achievement on behalf of the 36,000 volunteer firefighters in Queensland and will be the driver for profound change within rural fire, with the supporting conversations of improved PPE, support equipment and facilities being driven from this recommendation.
Compared to all other States and Territories in Australia, the Rural Fire Service in Queensland has been historically starved of funding and support for over 20 years through successive governments, and todays’ recommendation is the platform that is needed for major improvements in brigade support and equipment to be based.
This report will also be a driver in allowing brigades to acquire the training and equipment necessary to adequately defend communities across Queensland. As increased volunteer safety and reporting would be a driver for the QFES to reduce WorkCover premiums.
With Rural Fire Brigades attending over 200 structure fires last financial year, another discussion to be had is the re-introduction of Compressed Air Breathing Apparatus sets to brigades that have an identified community need. This re-introduction would not only increase community safety and increase the capacity of the QFES as a whole, but also provide a safer working environment for volunteer firefighters.
The Bill will still need to go to Parliament to be voted upon, and this could be as early as next week when the house sits.
The RFBAQ would like to thank every MP who made this recommendation possible and Jarrod Bleijie MP specifically for tabling his Private Members Bill for firefighter protection.
RFBAQ Representatives, Brigades, volunteers and concerned members of the public have made their voices heard throughout this process, and with 213 submissions made to the committee, only 1 submission did not support equal cancer coverage for volunteer firefighters. That submission was from the United Firefighters Union of Australia which is based in Melbourne.
In what is already a very large and dangerous fire season, the RFBAQ wishes all firefighters, regardless of truck colour and pay status the best and encourages all to “Stay Safe”.
Link to committee report
Firefighter Cancer Laws go to Parliament this week. Call to Action!
Sunday, 13 Sep 2015
Parliament sits Tuesday 15th, Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th.
The RFBAQ believes that Presumptive Legislation will be debated this week with both Bills being debated cognately.
The bi-partisan Parliamentary Committee recommended that the discriminatory 150 rule be abandoned.
The RFBAQ believes that this is above party politics and calls for a conscience vote.
Please contact your local MP and ask them to support all firefighters equally. This is your last chance to make your voice heard before Presumptive Legislation becomes law.
MP contact details including email.
Queensland Parliament Votes for highest level of firefighter cancer support in Australia
Friday, 18 Sep 2015
We must temper our enthusiasm by always remembering that if you as a firefighter need to access this new coverage; it means that you have contracted cancer and that you will be in the fight of your life. This coverage is a way for the state to protect those who give freely of their time to defend their communities.
When the new Legislation becomes available we will distribute it widely.
Again the RFBAQ would like to thank the Queensland Auxiliary Firefighters Association, the Firefighter Cancer Foundation Australia, interstate Volunteer Fire Associations, Rural Fire Brigades and volunteer firefighters who have made their voices heard to all Members of Parliament.
With Queensland now legislating the highest level of cancer support for all firefighters, the RFBAQ expects that states and territories that currently have discriminatory pre-requisites legislated against volunteers will consider moving to the high support Queensland model.
In what is already a very large and dangerous fire season, the RFBAQ wishes all firefighters, regardless of truck colour and pay status the best and encourages all to “Stay Safe”.
Factsheet - Queensland’s deemed disease laws for full time, auxiliary and volunteer firefighters.
Wednesday, 30 Sep 2015
The RFBAQ would like RFB volunteers and Fire Wardens to distribute this information as widely as possible.
The RFBAQ / RFSQ and QFES have undertaken to work closely to ensure that future information is delivered in an accurate and timely manner to as many volunteers as possible.
Volunteers can and should enhance this information distribution by requesting your brigade secretary to distribute to all brigade members.
Each state or territory in Australia has different levels of coverage that extends to paid and volunteer firefighters
Tuesday, 30 May 2017
With what has been happening in Victoria, the RFBAQ has been receiving an increasing number of queries from staff, volunteers and the media regarding cancer coverage in Queensland.
Please click here for link to the factsheet relating to coverage in Queensland.
- Queensland’s deemed disease laws for full time, auxiliary and volunteer firefighters.
* please note that this coverage also extends to Fire Wardens.
Each state or territory in Australia has different levels of coverage that extends to paid and volunteer firefighters.
We believe that the Queensland model provides the highest level of support nationally and urge everyone to ensure that they can access support should they need it.
Cancer coverage and brigade members
Friday, 25 Aug 2017
With more knowledge about potential support, more and more volunteer firefighters are contacting the RFBAQ once receiving the life changing diagnosis of cancer.
As firefighters we are more prone to contracting cancer than the general population. If you receive a diagnosis for cancer you have options in seeking support and guidance.
The legislation applies to firefighters diagnosed on or after 15 July 2015 with a deemed disease and also outlines the years' of service a firefighter has had to serve in Queensland to qualify. Since the introduction of the presumptive legislation, 12 volunteer firefighter applications have been accepted, 1 is currently pending a decision and 1 has been declined.
Volunteers who are wage or salary earners in their primary employment should receive for the first 26 weeks of total incapacity, the greater of:
- 100% of their weekly award salary or wage; or
- 85% of their normal weekly earnings (i.e. including overtime, shift allowance etc.)
Volunteers who are self-employed and therefore do not receive a wage or salary under an industrial award should receive for the first 26 weeks of total incapacity:
- 80% of Queensland Ordinary Time Earnings (QOTE) (which is the seasonally adjusted amount of Queensland full-time adult's ordinary time earnings, reviewed and adjusted annually); or
- 85% of reasonable cost of replacement labour.
You can contact your RFSQ Area Office, WorkCover Queensland, The Firefighter Cancer Foundation or your legal representative; but you must contact someone to start the support you are going to need for the fight of your life.
In Queensland your entitlement to support is non-discriminatory and is equal to permanent firefighters, part time firefighters and volunteer firefighters. Below are some stories from volunteer firefighters and their families showing that cancer does not discriminate between the colour of your truck.
Click on the following links to read more:
- Workplace Health and Safety - WorkCover website
- Firefighters Cancer Foundation Australia Ltd website
- Work Health and Safety and Workers Compensation - Business Rule C2.1
Don’t wait for symptoms to arise
By Geoff Johnson, Grantham Rural Fire Brigade
My name is Geoff Johnson and I have been a volunteer with the Grantham Rural Fire Brigade since 1989.
Despite presenting with no outward symptoms, in early March this year I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. This is one of the cancers covered under the presumptive legislation introduced in 2015. I contacted WorkCover to seek their assistance in my making a Worker's Compensation claim.
This initial contact was on a Tuesday afternoon. After providing WorkCover with some information regarding my condition, a WorkCover case manager was assigned to me. Over the next two days there were a few calls between WorkCover and myself, advising me of the next step to take.
After only three days from the initial contact, my case manager and the team leader were having coffee at my dining room table and explaining in detail how they would assist both Carol and myself through the ordeal we are now facing.
I cannot fault the response and the continued assistance from my WorkCover case manager and their assistance to us has been invaluable. I would encourage all firefighters who have had a diagnosis of cancer to contact WorkCover. With the assistance provided by them I have been able to choose a specialist to treat my cancer without having to worry about the cost.
I would urge all firefighters to include cancer testing with their regular check-up with the GP. Many forms of cancer can be detected through a simple blood test. Don't wait for symptoms to arise, be proactive and see your GP.
Des Slade
07/11/1956 - 02/03/2016
My husband Des and I moved to a beautiful little village in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in the early 1980’s. As soon as we moved there Des wanted to be involved with the community so he joined the local Rural Fire Brigade. He became very respected in the community, eventually becoming First Officer and then the local Fire Warden for over 25 years.
In late 2014 I noticed his health was declining so we went to our local GP. I knew from the doctors expression that it was not going to be good news. After a brief examination he said, “I want you to go and have blood test and tests done. I think you might have Leukaemia. Leukaemia won’t kill you, infection will”. The doctor asked if he had been exposed to Benzene.
I can clearly remember that day, my mind was in turmoil, how can my husband who had been healthy all his life, a vegetarian, non-drinker and non-smoker for over 35 years and who walks every day be sick. it was devastating for the family and also the community.
After blood tests and a lumber puncture, Des was diagnosed with Myelofibrosis, cancer of the bone marrow. Again, the doctor asked if he had been exposed to Benzene?
Des was told he had 5 years max. The only treatment was a stem cell transplant, even that was no guarantee as his body may reject the donors stem cells.
A few months after Des’s disease we received a letter in the mail from Qld Fire Brigade that rural firefighters may be entitled to compensation for some cancers.
Myelofibrosis also classed as a blood cancer so we decided to put in a claim. Months went by and we had heard nothing. When we would ring them they would not give us and answer one way or the other.
Des still continued to work and be the Fire Warden. By now Des was receiving blood transfusion and plasma weekly. Des had to wait to see if his brothers were a match for a stem cell transplant. His brothers were not a match so he had to go on the world donor list.
Towards the end of 2015 Des’s health deteriorated. He gave up work in Sept that year.
The Workers’ Compensation had determined that Myelofibrosis was not recognised as a cancer on the list maybe caused from fighting fires.
Late February 2016 Des went to hospital. The specialist once again asked if Des had been exposed to Benzene. A few days later my daughters and I were called in to a room to be told that Des now has Acute Myeloid Leukemia and there was nothing that can be done. He has a few days left. His wish was to be brought home. He passed away surrounded by lots of love.
We were given the name and number of Steve Bunney, who is the director of The Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation. Steve and his lovely wife met with us and we explained everything to him.
What wonderful people and full of support. Steve asked us what we wanted out of this and we told him we want Des’s cancer to be recognised. Between Steve and their Lawyer Leeha James of James Law we fought for justice and just before 12 months anniversary of Des’s death we won.
Was it worth the fight? you bet. Des was a wonderful partner, father, and grandad and his life was not in vain and finally we had that confirmed that his occupation as a firefighter was the significant contributing factor to his death fires.
All I can ask is that you keep safe keep, fighting and support each other.
Allan Johnson History
By Allan Johnson
I joined the Mudgeeraba Rural fire service in 2000 and the thought of any firefighters getting cancer from fighting fires never entered my mind.
In March 2015 during a routine blood donation my haemoglobin levels were very high and that I should see my GP. After my GP completed several tests it was diagnosed that I had kidney cancer.
This came as a complete shock and I was overwhelmed with this news as I had always worked in clean environments and tried to keep fit. It was then that my GP made an appointment for me to see a urologist. After scans he confirmed a tumour on my right kidney. Within a week of diagnosis I was in hospital having my right kidney removed. After the kidney was removed pathology confirmed it was a stage four tumour.
After three months I had further scans and it showed a small spot in both my right and left lungs. As they were too small at the time operating was not possible and I would have to wait a further three months and then they could be removed.
At a meeting at my local brigade a member bought to my attention the relationship between firefighting and cancer.
I contacted the Firefighters Cancer Foundation Australia (FCFA) in QLD and a speaking to the director Mr Steve Bunney I was advised that I should take it further and make a claim for Workers’ Compensation. Steve drove to my house and sat down with my wife and I discussed what to do next. I never thought that that as a volunteer that I was entitled to compensation and that sort of covers would only be for permanents.
With help from the FCFA I made the claim and I waited and I waited. Steve had mentioned that these types of claims can take a long time to determine and that I should just keep living, easy to say harder to do.
My case went to WorkCover and was denied, which all along I was mindful of but I was reassured when we decided to appeal and my claim then went to the Medical Assessment Tribunal and the FCFA Lawyers, James Law ramped up my case.
The result, my kidney cancer was determined to be caused by my occupation as a firefighter, being a significant contributing factor to my disease and the claim accepted.
The process after first being diagnosed to the final outcome was lengthy and at times I wanted to give up, it was depressing and a mentally tiring process but with the phone calls and emails that I received from Steve (FCFA) and the continued support from family and friends I’m managing to keep going.
At present I’m still fighting cancer, as small lesions have returned to both lungs. I’m currently undergoing a trial drug programme of immune therapy and staying positive, I bicycle and swim every day and I plan to be around for a while.
I would like fellow firefighters to keep safe and remember cancer doesn’t care who you are and firefighters are more susceptible to certain types of cancer. I cannot thank Steve from FCFA and his team enough and if you know anyone that may need assistance or advice or support act now, the foundation are there to help.
The Firefighter Cancer Foundation Australia promotes knowledge
By Steve Bunney, Firefighter Cancer Foundation Australia
The Firefighter Cancer Foundation Australia (FCFA) is the first point of call for firefighters and their family members when diagnosis of cancer is received. Like cancer we do not discriminate and assist all firefighters, Volunteer, Permanents, Auxiliary etc.
FCFA promotes knowledge, awareness and advocacy for the firefighter diagnosed with cancer with an objective to help firefighters and their family members during this distressing time by providing ongoing support and assistance.
The Firefighter Cancer Foundation Australia is a nationally registered charity (ABN 21 839 546 036) working for active and retired firefighters and their families.
Firefighters amongst us right now are suffering debilitating hardship and loneliness. Embroiled in the fight of their lives battling cancer and it is all done in silence.
However, a simple phone call from a firefighting colleague can make the world of difference and assist on the journey that is being diagnosed with cancer. Do you want to get involved or know of someone who could use our help? Visit Firefighter Cancer Foundation Australia (FCFA) website or email.
Today 3 years ago, QLD Parliament voted for Presumptive Legislation! Let’s hope you never need to access it.
Monday, 17 Sep 2018
Some Members of Parliament had further to travel than others on the journey of equal cancer coverage for all firefighters. Yet today, 3 years ago they all voted to give full time, part time and volunteer firefighters the highest level of coverage for Deemed Diseases anywhere in Australia.
The RFBAQ would like to thank every MP for the lifechanging vote they made 3 years ago today.
The Queensland Legislation is now the gold standard for cancer coverage nationally and other States look to us for what is best practice.
Since the inception of Deemed Disease legislation, 16 claims have been accepted for QFES volunteers and 44 claims have been accepted for QFES paid employees, which totals 60 claims.
With more knowledge about potential support, more and more volunteer firefighters are contacting the RFBAQ once receiving the life changing diagnosis of cancer.
As firefighters we are more prone to contracting cancer than the general population. If you receive a diagnosis for cancer you have options in seeking support and guidance.
The legislation applies to firefighters diagnosed on or after 15 July 2015 with a deemed disease and also outlines the years' of service a firefighter has had to serve in Queensland to qualify.
Volunteers who are wage or salary earners in their primary employment should receive for the first 26 weeks of total incapacity, the greater of:
- 100% of their weekly award salary or wage; or
- 85% of their normal weekly earnings (i.e. including overtime, shift allowance etc.)
Volunteers who are self-employed and therefore do not receive a wage or salary under an industrial award should receive for the first 26 weeks of total incapacity:
- 80% of Queensland Ordinary Time Earnings (QOTE) (which is the seasonally adjusted amount of Queensland full-time adult's ordinary time earnings, reviewed and adjusted annually); or
- 85% of reasonable cost of replacement labour.
You can contact your RFSQ Area Office, WorkCover Queensland, The Firefighter Cancer Foundation or your legal representative; but you must contact someone to start the support you are going to need for the fight of your life.
In Queensland your entitlement to support is non-discriminatory and is equal to permanent firefighters, part time firefighters and volunteer firefighters.