2023-06-09
The Victorian Greens have said proposed reforms to the state’s presumptive cancer scheme for firefighters “fall short” of what the science demands.
Earlier today the Victorian Labor Government announced it would expand the scheme to include cervical, ovarian and uterine cancers.
However, while this is a step in the right direction, the Greens say there are many more cancers firefighters are at risk of developing that should be included in these reforms.
Earlier this week the Greens released a draft Bill to expand the number of cancers covered by the scheme, to better support women and gender diverse people in the field, and align the Victorian scheme with the federal scheme.
Quotes attributable to Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam MLC:
“These proposed reforms fall short of the protection firefighters need.
“While the Greens welcome the expansion of the scheme to include cervical, ovarian and uterine cancers, the reality is Victorian firefighters will remain less protected than their federal counterparts.
“The Victorian Labor Government should be using this opportunity to align our state scheme with the federal one, instead of ignoring the scientific evidence that lays bare the increased risk firefighters face of contracting other cancers such as lung, skin and thyroid cancer.
“We will move amendments to the Government’s legislation when it comes before Parliament, to ensure Victorian firefighters have the protection both they and their families deserve.”