Emergency Services

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-104362

Hansard session: Fifty-Sixth Parliament, First Session (56-1)

Emergency Services

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (14:21:23):

My question is addressed to the Premier. How is the Government delivering a stronger, better future for our frontline emergency services?

Ms GLADYS BEREJIKLIAN (WilloughbyPremier) (14:31:34):

— I thank the member for Oatley for this important question. All members know how hardworking the member for Oatley is. Not only is he delivering—

Mr Ryan Park:

Just ask him.

Ms GLADYS BEREJIKLIAN:

He can at least add up, which is more than you can do. In any event, not only is the member for Oatley delivering for his community day in and day out, but he also is passionate about supporting our frontline workers, as we all are, especially our emergency services personnel who put their lives on the line day in and day out to keep us safe. Whether it is our firefighters, our police, our paramedics, our State Emergency Service [SES] or our emergency service workers across the board, we know the vital role they play in the community. Unfortunately, it is through difficult circumstances we often see them in action.

We see them on the frontline going into danger rather than retreating from it, because that is what they are trained to do. They are ready to put themselves in harm's way to protect all of us. We recognise this. That is why my Government is absolutely committed to supporting our emergency services with record investments and record numbers. This year the Government delivered a record $1.6 billion for the firefighters and the SES, including $134 million for new equipment and infrastructure and $74 million for capital works for Fire and Rescue NSW. We have also delivered a record $3.9 billion for our police, giving our officers the best tools they need to continue to fight crime.

I am pleased to say that the Government has already delivered 1,000 extra police officers since being in government. An extra 100 are being deployed this financial year, with many more to come. The Government is also delivering an extra 750 paramedics and ambulance call centre staff over the next four years. I thank the Health Services Union for its support of the Government. It appreciates a good policy when it sees it and was deeply grateful. I have just outlined all the funding the Government has allocated to emergency services. The Government would not be able to do this if it did not have a strong budget and a strong economy. It is not just the dollars; emergency services also need our support in many other areas.

That is why I am incredibly proud of the hard work that both the Minister for Police, and the Minister for Emergency Services, and the Minister for Finance, Services and Property have done in ensuring that the Government is protecting its firefighters. This morning my colleagues made it clear that the Government's bill will make it easier for firefighters diagnosed with certain cancers to claim their workers compensation entitlements. I thank those people who have advocated for this change in the community. I particularly thank the deputy commissioners of the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW, and the president of the Rural Fire Service Association, who stood alongside the Ministers this morning.

As we know, unfortunately there is strong evidence in Australia and around the world linking firefighting work with higher rates of some cancers. That is a fact. However, the nature of firefighting means than in many cases it can be difficult for an individual firefighter to pinpoint their work as a cause of their cancer. Historically, that has meant some firefighters have experienced difficulty in claiming workers compensation entitlements. The Government's bill amending the workers compensation legislation will create a presumption that certain cancers developed by eligible firefighters are work related. The onus will no longer be on them to prove that point. That will make it easier for unwell firefighters to claim compensation. It will give comfort to serving firefighters that, should they fall ill, they will be able to access their entitlements. When a firefighter falls ill, they should know that they will receive the support they need and that they are entitled to, and that they do not have to fight to claim what is rightly theirs.

Extension of time

Importantly, this new presumptive legislation will also cover our hardworking Rural Fire Service volunteers. Thankfully, again due to its strong financial management, the Government is in a position to make and to fund this necessary change. We have been working hard on this legislation for more than a year and we have consulted the Rural Fire Service Association, the Fire Brigade Employees Union and all of our firefighting agencies. I thank everyone who has provided input because it is important to hear all the feedback. Members opposite also have a proposal, but it differs from the Government's proposal on one substantial point. [.]

That is, unlike the Opposition, the Government will not be imposing a 10-year limit on firefighters accessing the presumptive provision after retiring from employment or volunteer firefighting services. The Government believes that is better protection than will be provided by members opposite. This is an important point. I repeat, the Government's bill imposes no time limit on accessing the presumptive provisions after a firefighting career ends.

The SPEAKER:

If the member for Kogarah is not interested in the subject he can leave early, as he usually does.

Ms GLADYS BEREJIKLIAN:

The Government's bill will ensure that firefighters, who risk their lives and health to protect the people of New South Wales, promptly receive their entitlements. Once introduced, the changes will apply immediately to eligible firefighters diagnosed from today with one of the prescribed cancers. The scheme will apply specifically to 12 cancers that unfortunately are experienced by firefighters. The provisions will be available to paid and volunteer firefighters and current and former firefighters, including those engaged by Fire and Rescue NSW, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Forestry Corporation of NSW and Sydney Trains. I pay tribute again to our emergency service workers and acknowledge their work for our community. I say unequivocally that this Government stands by them and will provide them with the resources they need to do their job. It will also protect them, their health and their rights. This is the party for frontline workers, this is the party for workers, and this is the party for the people of New South Wales.