Volunteer NSW firefighters to be compensated, government says

Scott Morrison bows to pressure from Labor and his own minister over those who lose income while fighting fires

The Morrison government has announced that rural New South Wales fire service volunteers will be compensated for loss of income, after weeks of mounting pressure from the community, political rivals and within its own party.

Just days after the minister Darren Chester broke ranks and joined Labor calls for volunteer firefighters to be paid, the prime minister announced eligible volunteers would receive $300 a day up to $6,000 if called out for more than 10 days this fire season.