Former Lib behind firefighter protection laws Chris Back ‘disappointed’ at compo call for firey Matthew Petch

One of the architects of Australian laws ensuring firefighters get compensation if they develop cancer says he is “surprised and disappointed” that a WA volunteer with a rare and aggressive cancer is battling for timely recognition. As revealed by The West Australian, the struggle for volunteer firefighter Matthew Petch to get workers compensation has highlighted a discrepancy between protections given paid firefighters compared with volunteers. Former WA Liberal Senator Chris Back was part of a Parliamentary committee which in 2011 supported firefighter protection laws, known as presumptive legislation, that have since been enacted across Australia. Presumptive legislation accepts that certain cancers are work-related for firefighters, removing a requirement for them to prove the cause of their illness to receive compensation. Dr Back, who was also chief executive of the former Bush Fires Board of WA, said he was “surprised and disappointed” to learn of Mr Petch’s plight. He said the laws were always intended to include career and volunteer firefighters, “because they are exposed to exactly the same carcinogens”. Mr Petch, 41, spent three years battling blazes with Kalamunda Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade and eight years with Kalamunda Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service. The primary school teacher and father of three was diagnosed late last year with bile-duct cancer, which he believes is linked to prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals while fighting fires. While it is not one of the 20 cancers recognised in WA as automatically qualifying for support, he was still urged to apply for compensation. He lodged a claim with the Insurance Commission of WA in January, which deferred its decision until May 31, before then informing him on May 21 it would not meet that deadline because it was “not applicable” to a volunteer claim. Dr Back said it should not matter that bile-duct cancer was not on the list and deplored ICWA’s lack of urgency. “Timing is critical,” he said. “There is no occasion when a volunteer should not . . . have available to them the same level of compensation as a career firefighter.” Shadow minister for emergency services and volunteering Rob Horstman echoed his concerns, calling on Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia to “honour the spirit of the legislation” and expedite the claim. “I am dismayed to learn that WA volunteer firefighter Mr Petch and his family have not been able to access the compensation they deserve in their time of need,” he said. “When I spoke with Mr Petch today he had nothing but gratitude for the support he received from his community. “It’s incredible how they have stepped up to fund his medical expenses when the system failed him.” A State Government spokesperson said it “deeply appreciates” Mr Petch’s “sacrifice and dedication” but noted career and volunteer firefighters were covered under separate workers compensation schemes — even though presumptive legislation applied to both. “Mr Petch’s compensation claim is currently being assessed and ICWA has been asked to ensure the matter is resolved as soon as possible,” they said. A crowd sourcing appeal set up by Mr Petch’s brother, Jonathan, raised more than $168,000 in just three days to pay for costly immunotherapy drugs and travel to the US for novel histotripsy treatment.