Earlier this week, the NSW Opposition tabled a bill in support of expanding the existing list of occupational cancers covered by NSW presumptive cancer legislation. On Wednesday, Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, The Hon. Damien Tudhope MLC, gave the first and second reading speeches on his Workers Compensation Amendment (Firefighters’ Diseases) Bill 2025.
Members are likely nonplussed by the advocacy from the Liberal Party, and this isn’t the first occasion – members will recall in Sitrep 10/2024 we acknowledged Mr Tudehope as the ‘strange bedfellow’ of professional firefighters. Whether informed by genuine advocacy, or an experienced eye for wedge politics, the FBEU acknowledge that the actions of this political actor has instilled necessary urgency in the NSW Parliament on this key priority.
A transcript of the first and second reading speech from Hansard (6 August 2025) can be found here and here. A copy of the bill as tabled in Parliament here. The bill will be debated at a later point.
FBEU officials met with Minister Dib yesterday to discuss the development and will continue to work with the Minns Labor Government and other parties on securing improvements to presumptive cancer legislation.
AWARD UPDATE – DECISION TO BE HANDED DOWN NEXT WEEK
After months of deliberation from the IRC, the FBEU were notified yesterday that a decision on our Awards will be published next Thursday 14 August. The decision marks an important milestone in an ongoing campaign, which has seen significant efforts from the membership, standing side-by-side to fight for better wages and conditions.
More to be said on this next week.
NSW AUDIT OFFICE PLANNED AUDIT ON MANAGING UNPLANNED LEAVE AND OVERTIME
FBEU officials met with the NSW Audit Office this week to discuss the planned audit Managing unplanned leave and overtime. The audit overview – found here – identifies FRNSW and Corrective Services NSW as having higher rates of unplanned leave and overtime than other public sector agencies. The audit will consider whether FRNSW is effectively managing unplanned leave and overtime and associated risks.
Members will recognise both the opportunity and threat this audit poses. In Sitrep 39/2024, we discussed the structural deficits within the department’s financials, evidenced by serious failures in workforce planning, a lack of systematic review of established firefighter numbers, and the strategic under resourcing of paid positions.
FRNSW has repeatedly ignored FBEU attempts to address these matters, despite the 2023 Awards providing a framework for meaningful discussion on initiatives such as country relieving models. FRNSW’s ‘tanker strategy’ is the latest initiative to exemplify the ELT’s inability to grasp these circumstances.
Right now, we need the Commissioner and the FRNSW ELT to front-up and demonstrate leadership on behalf of the profession and community safety. Anything short of this is a mere repeat of the ‘Plus Plan’ era.
