CODE 2, VOL 34, NO 36 : 12 August 2020

PRESUMPTIVE PTSD LAWS INTRODUCED TO QLD PARLIAMENT

In Code 2 Vol: 34 #31 of 24 July 2020 I provided an overview of your union’s work with the state government regarding changes to the workers’ compensation laws to provide for presumption of injury for PTSD injuries with coverage for professional firefighters and auxiliary firefighters, and fire communication officers.

I am pleased to update you that on Wednesday 12 August 2020, a Bill to modify the workers’ compensation laws was introduced to state parliament and referred to a parliamentary committee for consideration.

While introducing the Bill to parliament, Minister Grace stated –
‘Each and every day our first responders are exposed to traumatic incidents that … can take a toll on (their) mental health… (with) workers’ compensation claim rates for first responders…10 times higher than the adult Australian workforce.’

Minster Grace also pointed out that the PTSD presumption of injury extends beyond firefighters to specifically include fire communications officers who whilst not physically responding to incidents, are exposed to the graphic details of traumatic incidents. During the speech to parliament, the Minister also thanked the UFUQ for their advocacy in these matters as the legislation was being developed.

As with the presumption of injury for specific cancers, this is an incredibly important step forward in the recognition of the acknowledged fact that the work you do injures you in different ways to that of the average member of the community.  Your work is hazardous, and it takes its toll physically and mentally on your health.  Whilst presumptive laws do nothing to prevent or cure your injuries I am pleased that the work of your union is ensuring that if you are injured, the process of obtaining compensation is as simple as we can possibly make it under the workers’ compensation laws we have.

You can find a copy of the Bill and the explanatory notes here (the last Bill in the 2020 section).

I will keep you updated as these laws progress through the parliamentary system.

John Oliver - General Secretary

 

 

Authorised by John Oliver General Secretary 
United Firefighters' Union of Australia, Union of Employees QLD

v37#4 VALE FF 1st CLASS IZABELLA ‘IZZY’ NASH

In this edition - I wanted to update members and our colleagues and friends in the firefighting community across Australia on the tragic death of our comrade and colleague FF 1st Class Izzy Nash (UFUQ member number 6057) who joined Fire and Rescue and her union in 2014.

v37#3 INJURED FIREFIGHTERS - UPDATE

In this edition - In the early hours of Monday 2 May 2023, two of your colleagues working together in a BA Team were injured (one of them critically) at a structure fire in the South East Region (Slacks Creek). QFES is keeping your union updated as things progress.

v36#20 UPDATE ON RECENT AMENDMENTS TO THE INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT 2016

In this edition - In July 2022, your union made submissions to the Queensland Government review of the Industrial Relations Act 2016 (the IR Act).

v36#19 AUDITED ACCOUNTS

In this edition - In accordance with the Industrial Relations Act 2016, the audited financial reports of your union for the financial year 2021/2022 are available for members.

v36#18 FIRE AND RESCUE REFORM CONFIRMED BY MINISTER RYAN

In this edition - Further to my previous update to members on 21 October 2022, I am very pleased to announce that Minister Mark Ryan has answered your union’s call for action.

v36#17 IT’S TIME FOR ACTION

In this edition - You will recall your union provided substantial submissions to the KPMG Review into the future operations, structure, and sustainability of the fire service. That report currently sits with Government.

v36#16 THURSDAY 22 SEPTEMBER PUBLIC HOLIDAY - ALL NORMAL ENTITLEMENTS APPLY

In this edition - As you may be aware, Thursday 22 September 2022 has been declared a public holiday by the federal government.

v36#15 SEPTEMBER 11 – 21ST ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIONS

In this edition - On September 11 2001, after coordinated terrorist attacks on United States soil, the twin towers of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan collapsed. As a result, more than 2500 people were killed and many thousands more were injured, including 343 fallen comrades from the New York City Fire Department who put themselves in harm’s way to protect the lives of those victims.

v36#14 QIRC LISTS DISPUTED AC APPOINTMENT HEARING DATES

In this edition - As you will recall, QFES recently conducted a flawed recruitment and selection process that completely disregarded the vital requirement for regional Assistant Commissioners to have professional firefighting qualifications and experience, and the UFUQ lodged a dispute at the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) regarding this matter.

v36#10 UFUQ DISPUTE ABOUT RECENT AC APPOINTMENT – UPDATE

In this edition - As reported in Code 2’s v36#7 and v36#9, QFES senior executives (mostly acting up in their roles at the time) failed to appropriately apply the merit principle in deciding to appoint a public servant as a regional Assistant Commissioner and then attempted to tell your union we couldn’t dispute their mistake.

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