Canberra's volunteer rural firefighters will be eligible for payments of up to $6000, after the federal government agreed to extend its compensation scheme to the ACT.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison agreed on Wednesday to give ACT Rural Fire Service and SES volunteers access to the same assistance scheme made available to NSW rural firefighters.
Tax-free payments of up to $300 per day - to a maximum of $6000 - will be made available to volunteers who are self-employed or work for small to medium private businesses, and have lost income while battling blazes raging across the eastern seaboard.
The payment is only applicable to those who have volunteered for more than 10 days this financial year.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Emergency Services Minister Mick Gentleman wrote to Mr Morrison in the midst of Saturday's devastating bushfire conditions to request the assistance.
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"This compensation will ensure that those who are self-employed or are employed by a small to medium sized employer aren't left out of pocket," Mr Gentleman said in statement on Wednesday afternoon.
"Our volunteer firefighters sign up because they want to protect their communities and help their neighbours. They show a remarkable level of bravery and professionalism and I thank them for their selfless work.
"Longer and more severe fire seasons due to climate change are creating an even greater need for our volunteer firefighters."
In their letter to Mr Morrison, Mr Barr and Mr Gentleman said more than 1500 emergency services volunteers had been deployed to fires in NSW and Queensland since September.
"Without this comradery and support between jurisdictions, the devastating impacts of bushfire would certainly have been greater," the letter said.
The South Australian and Queensland governments have also struck a deal with the federal government to have their volunteer firefighters compensated for lost income.
The Canberra Liberals, who had urged the ACT government to lobby Mr Morrison to be added to the payment scheme, welcomed Wednesday's news.
"Hundreds of ACT RFS volunteers have given up paid work opportunities and precious family time this holiday season to volunteer to help fight the bushfires in NSW and Victoria," opposition emergency services spokeswoman, Giulia Jones, said.
"Our volunteer firefighters are the backbone of bush-firefighting efforts and it is only right that government fully supports them.
"This is just one of the ways we can show our thanks for the incredible work that these volunteers do."