Page 2633 - Week 12 - Thursday, 16 November 1989
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workers compensation consultant was so small you would need a magnifying glass to read it.
Surely a position of such importance to the ACT should be advertised in a way that will attract the best-qualified people and not in the amateurish way it was. I know that the Government has since advertised in a more professional manner, but it should not be as a result of complaints that this happens; rather, more importantly, because the ACT was after the best consultant possible.
I think the Canberra Times must also bear the brunt of some of the community apathy or lack of knowledge of workers compensation in the ACT. Its coverage of the announced review of workers compensation was nothing short of dismal, considering the importance of the issue, which makes one wonder about the priorities of the press.
I will conclude this statement by saying that this piece of legislation has to be streamlined to ACT needs. The overall effect that it will have on Canberra's future is huge. It is the responsibility of this Assembly to ensure the ACT's future. Canberra's future lies in the welfare of workers and employers and in the buoyancy of business. This Assembly has the opportunity to put the ACT at the forefront of workers compensation by ensuring that a full consultative program is arranged so that an innovative and not a "follow the other States" piece of legislation is introduced.
MR JENSEN (12.03): The Residents Rally welcomes the statement by the Minister which provides an acknowledgment of the problems within the ACT of current workers compensation schemes, and that is probably a matter that is accepted by all members and all groups within the Assembly.
Any scheme that is roundly condemned by both industry groups and the trade unions must be in line for a major overhaul. That is clearly what we are on about here. While the Rally understands that the development of amendments to current legislation will be a long, complicated process, it seems that once again we have been left with another legacy of neglect of the people of the ACT by past Federal governments and Ministers who had little time or concern for the ACT.
As Mr Berry showed by the comparison of rates for compensation between New South Wales and ACT, there is an incredible disparity. Mr Stefaniak has gone into this in some detail. For example, the building industry rate in New South Wales is 8.4 per cent, compared with the ACT rate of 40.13 per cent. Similar disparities are identified across the various classifications of industrial activity and occupation. Clearly, there is a need to review, upgrade and find out why these problems are there and why these premiums are so high. We strongly support a move to ensure that every opportunity is given to workers who are unfortunate enough to be injured in the work force to rehabilitate themselves as well.
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