VOLUNTEER fire crews are pressing State Parliament to support legislation that recognises all firefighters under cancer compensation laws.
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria members are being urged to speak with Coalition MPs about a bill that would give professional and volunteer firefighters automatic access to compensation for cancer proved to have been caused by chemicals firefighters have been exposed to.
The bill was introduced by Western Metropolitan Greens MP Colleen Hartland in February.
Ms Hartland said Victorian firefighters with cancer couldn’t afford any more delays.
“I don’t care how it’s done or who does it, this is not about politics – it’s about helping sick firefighters now,” she said.
“Any arguments about money are heartless.
“We’re not talking about a lot of claims, we’re talking about firefighters who put their lives on the line for us and their families.”
