ACT government to seek advice on RFS compensation scheme

NSW Rural Fire Service volunteers who have been fighting fires for an extended period who are self-employed or work for small to medium private businesses would be entitled to up to $6000 in compensation. The tax-free payments would give up to $300 per day to cover lost incomes for those who have worked more than 10 days this fire season.

Other states and territories will have to apply for the scheme based on their assessment of need and the demands on their volunteer effort.

ACT minister for police and emergency services Mick Gentleman said he would seek advice on if a compensation scheme was needed for ACT RFS volunteers.

"Our volunteer firefighters sign up because they want to protect our communities and help their neighbours. They show a remarkable level of bravery and professionalism," he said.

"ACT Emergency Services Agency commissioner [Georgeina] Whelan has been carefully managing shift rotations for interstate deployments to minimise fatigue and ensure the crews remain ready to fight any fires that may start within our borders.

"As fire seasons become longer and more severe due to climate change, a national discussion is needed about rural fighter resourcing and arrangements and I will continue to raise this with my state and federal colleagues."

Since September 2019, a total of 606 ACT RFS personnel have been deployed to fight the NSW fires, a spokeswoman from the ACT Emergency Services Agency said.

Crews have been posted across the state to places including Shoalhaven, Braidwood, Glen Innes, Coffs Harbour, Clarence Valley and Nerriga.

The NSW government will administer the payments funded by the federal government. Other states and territories will have to apply for the scheme based on their assessment of need and the demands on their volunteer effort.

READ MORE:

Mr Morrison said the payment was not "about paying volunteers".

"It is about sustaining our volunteer efforts by protecting them from financial loss," he said.

"While I know RFS volunteers don't seek payment for their service, I don't want to see volunteers or their families unable to pay bills, or struggle financially as a result of the selfless contribution they are making."

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said on Weekend Today that it was "a step forward" but said he wrote to the Prime Minster in November about the need to "deal with the issue" of volunteer firefighters.

Previous prime ministers Paul Keating and John Howard offered one-off payment schemes for volunteers, which were distributed by the federal government, and Mr Albanese said it could have been done in that way.

"It's a bit strange, I've got to say, for the Commonwealth to be doing it this way when they could have done it very directly, under existing legislation," Mr Albanese said.

The Volunteer Fire Fighters Association, which represents volunteer firefighters in NSW, welcomed the changes. The association had previously called for great supporter amid concerns members had given up income.

The announcement of the payments follows weeks of debate about paying volunteer firefighters during the protracted fire season.

On Tuesday, Mr Morrison announced the federal government would provide provide paid leave of up to four weeks for Australia Public Service workers fighting the fires.

The Prime Minster said he expected larger companies to provide employees with 20 days of leave.