Payment for volunteer firefighters

Volunteer firefighters in NSW who work for private businesses will be eligible for up to A$6000 (NZ$6250) in compensation under a new Commonwealth-funded scheme, following weeks of debate about paying those on the front lines.

The federal government has invited other states and territories to enter similar programmes to compensate volunteers who have spent weeks or months at various fire fronts over summer.

However, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has cautioned the new initiative, a joint undertaking with the NSW government, should not set a precedent for permanent payments.

In NSW, volunteers who work for small and medium-sized businesses or are self-employed will be able to access payments worth up to A$300 a day, capped at a maximum of A$6000, if they have served for more than 10 days fighting the current fires.

The horror fire season, which began in September in northern NSW, has placed extra strain on volunteers with the state’s Rural Fire Service.

Morrison said financial support was needed to sustain volunteers through extended periods of leave.

‘‘The early and prolonged nature of this fire season has made a call beyond what is typically made on our volunteer firefighters,’’ Morrison said.

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

‘‘This is not about paying volunteers. It is about sustaining our volunteer efforts by protecting them from financial loss.’’

Morrison said other states and territories could apply for similar support, and the arrangement with NSW was borne of ‘‘direct consultation’’ with the NSW government and the RFS.

‘‘We are responding to the request made by NSW,’’ he said. ‘‘The fire chiefs and state and territory governments know they have our full support, and will get whatever they ask of us.’’

The payments are free of tax and will not be means-tested. The scheme is open to employees of businesses with an annual turnover of up to $50 million, and its overall cost will be determined by demand.

Funding for the scheme is not capped. Morrison said expenditure would be determined by demand, and that volunteers who are most affected by extended periods of time away from work would be the highest priority to receive funding. Payments will be administered by the NSW government.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said her government stood ‘‘shoulder to shoulder’’ with the volunteers who put their ‘‘lives at risk to protect the community’’.

‘‘We are now pleased to provide administrative support to the Commonwealth to compensate our brave volunteers for loss of income,’’ she said.

Victorian Police and Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville said her government would consult with volunteers before committing to a Commonwealth payment initiative.

‘‘We’re always willing to discuss support for our emergency services volunteers, but we need more detail on this proposal before we comment further,’’ she said.

The Commonwealth’s support will be in place for this financial year only, and any longer-term arrangements will be considered at the Council of Australian Governments meeting in March, Morrison said. – Nine

‘‘This is not about paying volunteers. It is about sustaining our volunteer efforts by protecting them from financial loss.’’ Prime Minister Scott Morrison