The RFBAQ has previously received multiple enquires from long term volunteer firefighters who have moved state, enquiring about their cancer coverage.
An example being a volunteer firefighter who served 10 years in the Victorian CFA and has been in a Queensland brigade for a further 10 years. These add up to 20 years of exposure for a cancer that has a 15-year qualifying period.
The current system does not see this volunteer firefighter covered for presumptive cancer coverage in either state. This is due to each state having different workers compensation / insurance schemes.
Alongside enabling legislation to empower brigades to fight fire, the other key foundation of brigades is workers' compensation coverage. ie: if you are hurt or develop an illness in undertaking your firefighting activities, the State will support you and your family.
The lack of portability for cancer coverage is not meeting one of those two keystones of volunteer firefighter support.
In April, the RFBAQ wrote to each state / territory Premier / Chief Minister, the Prime Minister as convenor of National Cabinet, and to AFAC CEO Rob Webb, seeking the commencement of discussion towards a unified national approach.
Positive responses have been received from the Victorian Government, the Tasmanian Government, the South Australian Government, the Australian Capital Territory Government, the Western Australian Government, and the Minister for Fire in Queensland, Hon Ann Leahy MP is supportive and is tabling Portable Cancer Coverage for the National Emergency Management meeting.
From feedback received, states and territories have been attempting to address these issues on a case by case and state by state basis for the benefit of their firefighters, and there is general support for the concept of a unified national approach for coverage.
Rob Webb, AFAC CEO met with Justin from the RFBAQ on the 30th of September, to discuss the concept, progress, and responses from governments.
AFAC will discuss this at AFAC Council in October. AFAC Council is the full membership that meets twice a year. https://afac.com.au/membership
These are the first steps on what will be a long conversation to try and achieve unity of coverage. Some jurisdictions do not have the high level of cover that volunteer firefighters receive in Queensland, and there is no acceptance of Queensland coverage declining. Some are covered for more illnesses than a firefighter in Queensland.
Being able to access cancer coverage and receive workers' compensation entitlements means that you have acquired a life-threatening illness from going forward to defend your community. The RFBAQ are very cognisant that if you need to access this coverage, then you are in for the fight of your life.
The Council of Australian Volunteer Fire Associations (CAVFA) has compiled a table of coverage by jurisdictions - Click to download
Here is a link to the journey that ended in such high coverage for Queensland volunteers, one that was fought against by the federal and state fire union - https://www.rfbaq.org/equalcancercoverage
The position of the Federal Government is that it is a complex issue that is the responsibility of the states and territories. There was no reply from them regarding tabling this at National Cabinet.
For any enquiries, please contact Justin on gm@rfbaq.org or 0428218507 .
Click image to download as PDF.