Tuesday 15th May 2018
In State Parliament last week the Liberal Nationals introduced a bill for presumptive cancer rights for firefighters. Daniel Andrews and Labor voted down this bill.
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said that once again the Premier for Melbourne has sold out the CFA.
“Daniel Andrews contempt for volunteer firefighters has tumbled to a new low at the expense of his cosy arrangement with Peter Marshall and his union mates” Mr Walsh said.
“The health and wellbeing of our firefighters continues to be used as a political tool by Daniel Andrews as part of his controversial plans to tear up the CFA.”
Mr Walsh said the Liberal Nationals’ Private Members Bill addressed only presumptive legislation – no ties attached to the unrelated CFA reforms.
“It backdated eligibility to 9 March 2015 meaning more firefighters would be covered by the Liberal Nationals bill than under Daniel Andrews and it removed unnecessary and unfair barriers to volunteers to make the path for cancer compensation the same for both career and volunteer firefighters.
“The Liberal Nationals bill would have simplified the process for sick firefighters.
“At the next election Victorians have a clear choice between Daniel Andrews who wants to tear apart the CFA and limit the cancer compensation rights for volunteers or a Liberal Nationals government that will protect our CFA and give all firefighters a fair go.
“Only a Liberal Nationals government will deliver a better deal for rural and regional Victoria.”
