Labor promises expanded cancer compensation for all fire staff

Coverage extends beyond frontline roles

Premier Ben Carroll stated the new scheme would cover all administrative and technical personnel within the Country Fire Authority and Fire Rescue Victoria. This expansion ensures these workers receive the same compensation access as frontline firefighters diagnosed with work-related cancers. The current legislation limits benefits to specific job titles rather than including every staff member exposed to toxins. Labor does not plan to change the list of approved cancer types in this proposal.

Personal story drives legislative change

Morwell candidate Tracie Lund announced her late husband Simon Lund died in 2025 after developing oesophageal cancer despite twenty-five years of toxic exposure. Simon worked as a senior technical field officer for the CFA during major emergencies like the Black Saturday bushfires and the Hazelwood mine fire. His role was not covered under existing presumptive rights legislation, forcing his family to mount a legal challenge through WorkCover. Ms Lund noted her husband had the correct cancer and exposure time but held the wrong job title for automatic compensation.

Opposition offers different legislative fix

The Coalition recently promised to expand the list of approved cancers to include skin, thyroid and lung cancer types. The commitment made does not guarantee an increase in the number of job titles eligible for participation in the program. Labor's announcement aims to close gaps in legislation by including more personnel rather than changing disease definitions. The election outcome later this month will determine if these promised changes become law.