South Australia has become the first State in Australia to offer comprehensive compensation for firefighters that contract cancer as a result of their work.

 

Premier Jay Weatherill made the announcement in his address to the Metropolitan Fire Service's 150th anniversary celebrations, saying that he would ensure that all firefight would be compensated for the risk they take on a daily basis.

 

“We have seen the terrible heartache caused when people working with dangerous materials are not acknowledged for the risks they take,” Mr Weatherill said.

“We do not want to see a repeat of the tragic circumstances that surrounded people working around asbestos

 

“Now is the time for the Government to protect those firefighters who protect us.

 

“We will join the Commonwealth and become the first state in only the third country in the world to recognise and compensate firefighter cancer."

 

Workers' Rehabilitation Minister Jack Snelling said the new measures would be in place no later than July next year.

 

Mr Snelling said the changes would cover the following types of cancers

  • Primary site brain cancer
  •  Primary site bladder cancer
  •  Primary site kidney cancer
  •  Primary non-Hodgkins lymphoma
  • Primary leukemia
  •  Primary site breast cancer
  • Primary site testicular cancer
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Primary site prostate cancer
  • Primary site ureter cancer
  • Primary site colorectal cancer
  • Primary site oesophageal cancer