United Firefighters Union of South Australia

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (15:03): My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. Has the government undertaken a cost analysis in relation to expanding the list of presumptive cancers for firefighters in line with the Queensland scheme and, if so, what was the total cost?

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN (Kavel—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Special Minister of State) (15:03): I thank the shadow minister for emergency services for this important question. It is necessary for me to provide some context in terms of the progression or development of this legislation or type of legislation in our jurisdiction. Presumptive cancer legislation was introduced in South Australia in 2014 under advice of the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1986.

It is also necessary for me to observe that many of these matters are carried by the Attorney-General as Minister for Industrial Relations in the other place. Nevertheless, as the shadow minister will be aware, there has been a considerable focus not only on these types of cancers but, equally, on steps that might be taken to ensure that we can provide as much support as we possibly can to South Australian firefighters.

As the Premier has indicated, the South Australian government announced that it would move to amend the Return to Work Act to add primary site cervical, ovarian and uterine cancer to the list of cancers presumed to arise from employment as a firefighter. That is not to say that cancers that fall outside that specific list, which is intended to complement the list of 12 cancers where the presumption has been reversed, won't be matters that could form the basis of a claim. Instead, it is that those cancers are being brought inside the scheme. I will consult with the Attorney-General and seek additional advice in relation to that matter.