CPA - The Guardian

The Victorian government has missed a major opportunity to correct major problems in Victoria’s workers’ compensation system that date back to the Kennett years, according to the Victorian Trades Hall Council (VTHC).

VTHC secretary, Brian Boyd said: “The government’s response to the recent Hanks Review of the Accident Compensation Act maintains discrimination against workers suffering stress injuries, does nothing to reduce the record levels of disputation in the system and is likely to make worse WorkCover’s often poor record of getting injured workers back to work.”

Mr Boyd called on the government to enter into urgent talks with the VTHC before turning its response to the Hanks Review into law.

“Although the government has improved benefits, to injured workers, its response to the detailed review does not address a system in need of major overhaul.

“By opting to not improve dispute resolution within the system, the government has ensured that the 17,000 workers who have claims rejected every year will continue to experience long delays before getting the treatment and compensation for their injuries they deserve,” added Mr Boyd.

Unions during the review proposed a conciliation and arbitration system for dispute resolution that would have cost the system nothing, slashed legal bills and even saved money by ensuring that injured workers received speedy outcomes.

Mr Boyd said “the proposed updated provision covering workers suffering workplace stress will make it harder for workers to succeed with their claims and does nothing to remove the discrimination in the system directed at workers with such injuries.”

“All injuries should be treated in the same manner; in a no-fault system, workers with stress injuries should not be discriminated against,” he said.

Also by removing the provisions obliging employers to give injured workers their job back from the law and replacing them with regulations, sends the wrong message to employers and makes the position of injured workers even more precarious, Mr Boyd said.

“During the current economic down turn, injured workers need greater safeguards, not fewer,” he concluded.

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