Member for Barwon, Kevin Humphries met with Cobar paramedics last Wednesday to discuss the cut to their Death and Disability Scheme.
Local paramedic Anita Hodgkinson reported Mr Humphries was very impressed with the level of coverage the Cobar paramedics were getting in their protest campaign against the NSW Government’s decision to reduce their Death and Disability protection.
“Mr Humphries has come on board and is in support of our plight, which is fantastic.
“He agrees that it needs to be looked at,” Ms Hodgkinson told The Cobar Weekly.
Following the recent cuts, NSW Paramedics are now only covered for about 25 per cent of the protection that NSW Police officers receive.
“The Barwon Electorate covers 44 per cent of the state which is a large amount of emergency service workers, so Mr Humphries knows how important this is, not only to the workers but also to our families as well,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“He has supported us for quite a while.”
Ms Hodgkinson said at their meeting last week Mr Humphries told her that a number of members of parliament sympathised with the cause and he believed the matter would be raised with Health Minister Julian Skinner.
“He believes that all emergency services should all be on the same level [of Death and Disability Protection],” Ms Hodgkinson said.
Mr Humphries told The Cobar Weekly he was aware of the paramedics’ issues of seeking parity with police and fire brigade staff when it comes to death and disability protection.
“I am generally sympathetic to their issue and, as some members of parliament have also agreed, there will be further clarification and possible discussion south of the issue with the Ministry of Health,” Mr Humphries told The Cobar Weekly.
“The fact the other two agencies are under emergency services and the paramedics under health is a potential cause for lack of consistency,” Mr Humphries said.
Petitions in support of reinstating NSW Paramedics’ Death and Disability cover can be found at local businesses.
