Firefighter widow urges govt to act on cancer payouts

A firefighter's widow who only won compensation after her husband died is calling on the government to take action so others don't go through the same experience. The case of Brett 'Gonzo' How, of Hastings, who died aged 54 early last year, is believed to be the first where ACC has treated a firefighter's lung cancer as work-related. Cherie Flintoff says her husband asked her to keep on with a campaign to get a range of cancers recognised so compensation becomes automatic. The Professional Firefighters Union met the government on Wednesday to push for a law change. The government ministers, under pressure from the mosque attacks, have not yet provided a response to RNZ about the campaign. Cherie Flintoff told reporter Phil Pennington change is long overdue.