- The Crisafulli Government is slashing red tape around personal injury insurance arrangements for disaster volunteers.
- New annual insurance coverage ensures better support for volunteers and faster activation during an event.
- Delivers on the Crisafulli Government's commitment to work with the sector to address barriers to volunteering and strengthen participation, after volunteer rates dropped under the former Labor Government.
The Crisafulli Government has delivered a major win for disaster volunteers and communities across the state by introducing critical improvements to personal injury insurance arrangements for the rest of this disaster season, which will also be renewed annually.
For the first time, an annual WorkCover Queensland contract is now in place and ensures Volunteering Queensland's Emergency Volunteering Community Response to Extreme Weather volunteers are covered whenever they are activated during a declared disaster.
After a decade of decline under Labor, formal volunteering rates have dropped by 20 per cent, putting real pressure on the sector.
That's why the Crisafulli Government committed to a Parliamentary Inquiry into Volunteering in Queensland, which is now delivering practical recommendations and the fresh start the sector needs.
Previously, insurance coverage had to be arranged for each separate disaster event activation, creating unnecessary delays during critical times.
By slashing this red tape, the Crisafulli Government is enabling disaster volunteers to be activated faster than ever, ensuring communities receive the urgent support they need when it matters most.
Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers Ann Leahy said this outcome was making a real difference for disaster volunteers across Queensland.
"The Crisafulli Government is delivering on our promise to empower volunteers and cut unnecessary red tape after a decade of decline under Labor," Minister Leahy said.
"Disaster volunteers step up when Queenslanders need them most, and they deserve a system that back them in, not holds them back. This reform is about certainty for the volunteer sector."
Minister for Community Recovery Amanda Camm said that communities could have confidence that volunteers were ready to respond quickly and safely thanks to the new arrangements.
"Volunteers are the backbone of our disaster recovery efforts, and the insurance changes delivered by my department reflects our commitment to protecting and empowering them," Minister Camm said.
"This new annual WorkCover arrangement ensures that our incredible volunteers can focus on what they do best – helping our communities recover and rebuild.
"Queenslanders deserve swift and effective responses during disasters. By getting volunteers on the ground faster, we're ensuring communities get the urgent support they need when it matters most."
Volunteering Queensland CEO Jane Hedger praised the Queensland Government for its leadership in achieving this outcome.
"This result would not have been possible without the Queensland Government's strong commitment to supporting volunteers and addressing the barriers they face," Ms Hedger said.
"Volunteering Queensland has been advocating for an annual WorkCover arrangement for many years. This will be a game-changer for us and local councils to safely deploy disaster volunteers.
"Thanks to the Queensland Government, we've cut unnecessary red tape to make it easier for our EV CREW volunteers to help their local community in times of need," she said.
