Page 1730 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 17 October 1989
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
of recognised deficiencies, in addition to reducing costs, a full-scale review must be undertaken of ACT workers compensation arrangements.
Criticism of the current scheme continues to be received from a number of quarters. Building and construction industry employer groups, through the Housing Industry Association and the Master Builders Construction and Housing Association, have been highly critical of the high levels of premiums in their industry.
It is claimed also that high workers compensation payments encourage small employers either to understate wages on which premiums are based or to fail to take out a workers compensation policy, thus placing an additional impost on employers who fully comply with their legal requirements.
Both of the organisations mentioned have suggested that a workers compensation system based on a site value should replace a wages based system for their industry, so as to reduce premiums and to ensure that all employers pay into the workers compensation premium pool. A scheme of this type does not exist in any other jurisdiction, and details of how the scheme would operate are currently being considered by the industry groups mentioned. The fact that a scheme of this nature is even being suggested reflects the degree of concern that is felt by local industry over the current high levels of workers compensation insurance in the ACT.
The Trades and Labour Council has also expressed concern at deficiencies in the ACT workers compensation scheme, particularly as it does not provide for rehabilitation of injured workers. Concern has also been expressed that unacceptable delays can occur both in the payment of weekly compensation payments and over resolution of disputes over liability. Similar concerns have been expressed by welfare organisations like the Welfare Rights and Legal Centre. Such community organisations have pointed out that social justice issues arise from the complexities currently facing people with work related injuries seeking to obtain relief through the workers compensation and social security systems.
The Insurance Council of Australia and the Law Society of the ACT have also recognised that workers compensation legislation in the ACT needs redevelopment and have offered to assist in any review of current arrangements. Of course, individual employers have been critical of the high premium levels for a long time, in representations both to the former Department of Territories and to previous Ministers in the Commonwealth Government.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .