By Juliano Oliveira
Queensland volunteer firefighters and SES personnel will be eligible for up to $6,000 as compensation for being involved in the efforts against the bushfires crisis.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced that the payments of up to $300 per person, per day (up to $6,000) will be tax-free and not means-tested, under criteria established by the Commonwealth Government.
Registrations are already open and the payments are expected to occur from Monday 13 January 2020. Volunteers will receive more information on how to access the payments directly from QFES, or they can visit www.qld.gov.au/VolunteerCompensation
“This year’s bushfire season has been long and hard both in Queensland and interstate and many of our hardworking QFES volunteers have given up a considerable amount of personal time in battling these blazes,” the Premier said.
Who worked for more than 10 days as a volunteer and, consequently lost income from the 1 July 2019 to the 30 June 2020 would be able to apply for compensation.
“Volunteers step out on to the frontline without asking for or expecting compensation,” the Premier said.
Acting Fire and Emergency Services Minister Leeanne Enoch said the Volunteer Compensation Package 2019-20 will be available to volunteers who are self-employed or work for a business with an annual turnover of less than $50 million.