The Liberal-Nationals today reintroduced a bill for presumptive cancer rights for firefighters to protect those who protect us, and again Daniel Andrews and Labor voted down this bill to play politics.
The Andrews Government lied to our firefighters when they said they would introduce presumptive legislation within 100 days of the November 2014 election. It is now 2019, and our firefighters remain unprotected in the midst of another deadly fire season.
“In 2016, Daniel Andrews attempt to tear apart the CFA made thousands of volunteers get out and protest in the weeks leading to the electoral defeat of Bill Shorten. Daniel Andrews is now refusing to talk about protecting volunteers to remain silent during the federal election campaign as requested by Bill Shorten.” Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell said.
“It is time to put politics aside and protect the firefighters who deserve our respect and support when it comes to their health and wellbeing while protecting our community.
“I saw first had on St Patrick’s Day in 2018 the commitment these volunteers have to their role. As I was heading into town away from the fire front, there was car after car heading in the opposite direction, volunteers going to fight the fire, having left weddings and birthday parties to server their community.”
Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Brad Battin said the health and wellbeing of all our firefighters continue to be used as a political football by Daniel Andrews and his Minister, Lisa Neville.
“Daniel Andrews will only offer firefighter’s compensation for cancer claims, on the condition of their controversial reform – which is to tear up the CFA,” Mr Battin said.
“Daniel Andrews and his Labor Government continue to mock our fire services and are now blatantly refusing to protect those who protect us. The Liberal-Nationals will continue to stand up for our firefighters and ensure our fire services have a say and are represented.”
