A push for New Zealand to catch up with other countries on firefighter cancer cover.

The Professional Firefighters Union is backing a Green Party Member's Bill to automatically provide firefighters with ACC cover for work-related cancer.

Under current rules, firefighters must prove their cancer was caused by their job.

Union National Secretary Wattie Watson told Andrew Dickins most of the time ACC and FENZ reject the cases and the union has to take legal action. 

She says Australia, Canada, the United States and Norway all have similar laws, and there's no reason New Zealand firefighters shouldn't receive the same protection.

A push for New Zealand to catch up with other countries on firefighter cancer cover.
The Professional Firefighters Union is backing a Green Party Member's Bill to automatically provide firefighters with ACC cover for work-related cancer.
Under current rules, firefighters must prove their cancer was caused by their job.
Union National Secretary Wattie Watson told Andrew Dickins most of the time ACC and FENZ reject the cases and the union has to take legal action.&nbsp;
She says Australia, Canada, the United States and Norway all have similar laws, and there's no reason New Zealand firefighters shouldn't receive the same protection.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Wattie Watson: Professional Firefighters Union National Secretary on ACC cover for firefighters with work-related cancer

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/99aa874c-6d18-4994-843e-b494012de760/transcript

So, Christopher Luxon has ruled out working with TOP. 

There's some speculation that the decision was made on the fly and might not have been fully thought out.

He didn't seem so certain about himself as he walked away from the press cameras.

But it's no surpise as TOP is not a natural bedfellow of the right.  

But the perception has got about that they're what you call Teals. A Blue Green centre party.

They're certainly not that.  their policies are quite radical.  

The Universal Benefit and land taxes.  

And National is a party that have simplified their stance down to no spending and no taxes.

And behind the scenes they have some interesting staff.  

Names like Iain Lees-Galloway, who is the General Manager.  

His business partner is Toni Grace, Chris Hipkins' partner.

Their number 3 candidate is Kayla Kingdom-Bedd, an author of the He Puapua report.

She has worked with James Shaw, the ousted leader from the Green Party at the Worldwide fund for Nature.

Many speculate it's a left-wing party in disguise.

So maybe Christopher Luxon was right to follow his gut.

But at the same time the statement validates the chances of a party who have never cracked the threshold and are only commanding attention right now because they're new, and not part of the old elite and trending up.

And people are sick of the old tried and true for not being very true.

But personally, I won't give them the time of day.  

They've got a long way to go before they prove they're here for the long haul and really have something to offer. 

So, Christopher Luxon has ruled out working with TOP.&nbsp;
There's some speculation that the decision was made on the fly and might not have been fully thought out.
He didn't seem so certain about himself as he walked away from the press cameras.
But it's no surpise as TOP is not a natural bedfellow of the right. &nbsp;
But the perception has got about that they're what you call Teals. A Blue Green centre party.
They're certainly not that. &nbsp;their policies are quite radical. &nbsp;
The Universal Benefit and land taxes. &nbsp;
And National is a party that have simplified their stance down to no spending and no taxes.
And behind the scenes they have some interesting staff. &nbsp;
Names like Iain Lees-Galloway, who is the General Manager. &nbsp;
His business partner is Toni Grace, Chris Hipkins' partner.
Their number 3 candidate is Kayla Kingdom-Bedd, an author of the He Puapua report.
She has worked with James Shaw, the ousted leader from the Green Party at the Worldwide fund for Nature.
Many speculate it's a left-wing party in disguise.
So maybe Christopher Luxon was right to follow his gut.
But at the same time the statement validates the chances of a party who have never cracked the threshold and are only commanding attention right now because they're new, and not part of the old elite and trending up.
And people are sick of the old tried and true for not being very true.
But personally, I won't give them the time of day. &nbsp;
They've got a long way to go before they prove they're here for the long haul and really have something to offer.&nbsp;

Andrew Dickens: Was Luxon right to rule out TOP?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c7a9bf33-9629-4357-a2b4-b494012c8795/transcript

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday 28th of July 2026, Water New Zealand Chief Executive Gillian Blythe shares her thoughts on the water services authority’s national report. 

TikTok advertising is boosting New Zealand's GDP by $1.2 billion, Laurence Carey Squid Group Founder and Managing Director shares his thoughts.

The Greens want firefighters to have automatic ACC cover when they get Cancer from inhaling carcinogens, NZPFU National Secretary Wattie Watson tells Andrew why this is important. 

Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on an appeals court upholds a ruling that Pauline Hanson racially discriminated against another Senator and a man found guilty of trying to smuggle lizards. 

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Tuesday 28th of July 2026, Water New Zealand Chief Executive Gillian Blythe shares her thoughts on the water services authority’s national report.&nbsp;
TikTok advertising is boosting New Zealand's GDP by $1.2 billion, Laurence Carey Squid Group Founder and Managing Director shares his thoughts.
The Greens want firefighters to have automatic ACC cover when they get Cancer from inhaling carcinogens, NZPFU National Secretary Wattie Watson tells Andrew why this is important.&nbsp;
Plus, Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on an appeals court upholds a ruling that Pauline Hanson racially discriminated against another Senator and a man found guilty of trying to smuggle lizards.&nbsp;
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 28 July 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5a0194bb-9223-4d99-a483-b494012abe2e/transcript

Support for National's paid parental leave policy, from at least one business leader.

The party's promising to extend paid parental leave from the current 26 weeks,  to 30 weeks by 2029 if re-elected, with further increases possible if finances allow.

Parents would also have more flexibility to share, or take leave at the same time.

Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson told Andrew Dickens that most small businesses would already be paying for some additional cover regardless.

She says hiring someone for slightly longer, could make things easier, as it can be challenging finding someone for a short term role.

LISTEN ABOVE

Support for National's paid parental leave policy, from at least one business leader.
The party's promising to extend paid parental leave from the current 26 weeks, &nbsp;to 30 weeks by 2029 if re-elected, with further increases possible if finances allow.
Parents would also have more flexibility to share, or take leave at the same time.
Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson told Andrew Dickens that most small businesses would already be paying for some additional cover regardless.
She says hiring someone for slightly longer, could make things easier, as it can be challenging finding someone for a short term role.
LISTEN ABOVE

Leeann Watson: Business Canterbury CEO supports National's paid parental leave policy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2ec0cc41-a1d7-4bd4-a072-b49301408ac7/transcript

Wattie Watson: Professional Firefighters Union National Secretary on ACC cover for firefighters with work-related cancer

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