Today, Minister Dib and Minister Cotsis announced the NSW Government is backing in first responders by introducing legislation to expand the number of cancers where firefighters are presumed to qualify for workers compensation.

This is a policy we are delivering to support firefighters who protect our communities. The legislation removes the worker’s usual burden to prove causation, which can be difficult due to the nature of firefighting work and how these cancers are contracted.

The announcement was made with the Fire Brigade Employees Union and the Rural Fire Service Association, who have been advocating for the changes.

The additional cancers include primary site lung, pancreatic, thyroid and skin cancers, as well as female and male reproductive cancers including cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, vulval and penile.

This will bring NSW into line with other states, while making NSW the first state to recognise two female reproductive cancers (vulval and vaginal) as presumptive cancers for firefighters. This is part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to provide equity for male and female first responders.

This is a significant milestone to ensure that people who put themselves in harm’s way for the safety of the community are supported in their time of need.