States once more, safer firm, anyway (9)

I believe the answer is:

reaffirms

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'states once more' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with communicating as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'safer firm anyway' is the wordplay.
'anyway' is an anagram indicator.
'safer'+'firm'='saferfirm'
'saferfirm' with letters rearranged gives 'REAFFIRMS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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