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Emergency Services Volunteers | January 20, 2016

Kealy – Return petitions to support our CFA volunteers

Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy is reminding people to return signed petition forms calling on the Andrews Labor Government to make cancer compensation accessible to both career and volunteer firefighters.

“It is essential that signed petitions are returned to the Lowan electorate office no later than Monday, 1 February so that I can table it in Parliament during the first sitting week of 2016”, Ms Kealy said.

“I urge members of the community to sign the petition by downloading a copy from my website www.emmakealy.com or please phone my office on either 5382 0097 or 5571 9800 and a copy can be posted out.

“Firefighters protect all Victorians every day and they all deserve the right to equal protection”, she said.

Emma Kealy MP has signed pledges at local CFA stations across the Lowan electorate to support legislation that will give all firefighters non-discriminatory access to compensation for cancers contracted as a result of their work.

Ms Kealy said the introduction of presumptive legislation would provide a greater level of protection for almost 60,000 CFA volunteers across the State who provide a critical role in Victoria’s emergency response.

“The legislation will mean firefighters diagnosed with particular types of cancers are presumed for compensation purposes to have contracted the illness as a result of their work as a firefighter, thereby reversing the onus of proof,” Ms Kealy said.

“I am proud to have circulated this petition and to have signed pledges at local CFA stations to show my support to all our volunteers and ensure they are offered equal protection to their professional counterparts,” she said.

Ms Kealy said The Liberal-National Coalition in Government, were strong supporters of Victoria’s CFA volunteers and will support the introduction of a system that is fair for all firefighters.