Return to Work (Presumptive Firefighter Injuries) Amendment Bill
Thursday 25 June 2026
S.E. ANDREWS (Gibson) (11:48): I rise to speak in support of the Return to Work (Presumptive Firefighter Injuries) Amendment Bill, and I am proud that this parliament is taking an important step to better protect the men and women who put their lives on the line to keep our community safe. Every day across South Australia, firefighters answer the call when others need help.
The professional firefighters of the Metropolitan Fire Service and the dedicated volunteers of the Country Fire Service step forward in some of the most dangerous circumstances imaginable. They enter burning buildings, attend hazardous incidents, breathe smoke and are exposed to chemicals and substances that we know can have serious consequences, and often the danger is not immediately obvious. The impact of exposure may not appear at the fire or at the end of a shift. For some firefighters, it appears years later in the form of a serious illness or cancer diagnosis. The evidence on this issue is clear.
Firefighters face an increased risk of developing certain cancers because of their occupational exposure to carcinogens: substances such as diesel exhaust, formaldehyde, asbestos and other toxic materials are part of the reality of firefighting. These are not hypothetical risks, they are real risks that affect real people who have spent their careers protecting others.
Under the existing Return to Work Act 2014, firefighters who suffer a workplace injury are entitled to important protections, including income support, medical expenses and compensation. These protections matter. They provide security for workers and their families during some of the most difficult times of their lives.
Until now, firefighters diagnosed with certain cancers have faced an additional burden. They have been required to prove that their illness was caused by their employment. For someone already dealing with a cancer diagnosis, having to also navigate a complex claims process, gather evidence, deal with uncertainty and potentially face disputes is an unnecessary burden. A person who has spent years serving our community should not have to fight the system to prove the very thing the evidence already tells us.
This bill changes that. It reverses the onus of proof for specified firefighting-related cancers by creating a presumption that the injury arose from the firefighter's employment. In practical terms, this means that firefighters can access the support they need without having to carry the same evidentiary burden that existed in the past.
The practical difference this bill will make cannot be underestimated. It means less time spent proving a claim and more time focused on treatment and recovery. It means less stress for firefighters and their families, and a system that responds with dignity and fairness at a time when people need support the most.
I would like to acknowledge the important role played by the United Firefighters Union in reaching this point. Workplace protections do not appear overnight. They come from the voices of workers, from advocacy, from research and from workers standing together to ensure that safety and fairness remain at the centre of our workplaces. The efforts of unions have helped bring attention to these issues, ensuring that the experiences of firefighters are heard and that governments continue to strengthen protections where the evidence demands it.
I would also like to recognise the extraordinary contribution of South Australia's volunteer firefighters. The Country Fire Service is one of the great examples of community spirit in our state. It is made up of the people who give their time freely, who leave their families, their work and their own concerns behind to protect others. They are there during bushfires, storms, emergencies and disasters, and they ask for so little in return. The least we can do is ensure that when their service causes harm, our system responds quickly, fairly and with respect.
This bill sends a clear message to firefighters in South Australia, whether they are career firefighter or volunteer, that we recognise their service and understand the risks they face, and when that comes at a personal cost, we will stand with them. I commend this bill to the house.
