From the Minister for Workcover - Mr Holding

COMMONWEALTH RED TAPE WILL THREATEN VICTORIAN
WORKPLACE SAFETY

Victorian employers and their workers are about to experience a
nightmare regulatory scenario created by Commonwealth regulations,
which will undermine recent historic gains in workplace safety in the State.

WorkCover Minister Tim Holding said that from 15 March, employers
who transfer to Comcare – the Commonwealth Government’s workplace
safety scheme – will have their workforce covered by two sets of safety
laws, State and Federal.

“It’s a red tape nightmare, it’s been created by the Howard Government,
and it threatens to undermine workplace safety,” Mr Holding said at
the launch of the Victorian WorkCover Authority’s half-year financial
data today.“Any employer who has gone or is thinking of going to
Comcare on the assumption that they’ll get less red tape on workplace
safety will be sorely disappointed, they’re facing a quagmire.”

“The Commonwealth’s system has been developed without proper
consultation and now the Federal Government has realised that it
will lead to more regulation and confusion, not less.”Mr Holding said
the Howard Government’s mess stood in stark contrast to gains being
made by Victoria and other States to cut red tape from WorkCover
and workplace safety systems.“We’re on track to deliver significant
savings for business by creating a more seamless approach to regulation
and administration across State borders, without jeopardising safety,”
he said.

“The 10-Point Plan on Harmonisation released by Victoria and NSW
in 2006 has been adopted by other States and has led to the development
of common approaches to administering premium, compensation and
safety issues.

Minister Holding issued the warning as the Victorian WorkCover
Authority’s (VWA) half-year results for 2006/07 highlighted how
Victoria was now an even safer and more cost effective place to work
and do business.

“The scheme remains on a sound financial footing, and we’re
continuing to see Victorian employers and workers deliver historic
results in reducing injuries”, Mr Holding said.VWA’s strong financials
for the half year were accompanied by a series of other improvements,
including:· the lowest ever injury rate;· the lowest ever average
premium rate for employers at 1.62%; and · an increase in satisfaction
with VWA dealings amongst injured worker and employers.

VWA’s half-year financial results include a strong performance outcome
from its insurance operations of $331 million, arising through the
improved management of workers’ claims.

VWA also continued to reduce the long-term claims costs within the Scheme
by $139 million – adding to the almost $1.5 billion reduction since 2001/02.
“The results also reflect the impact of the market environment, with over
$885 million coming in from investments, driving a net profit of $675 million
and taking the VWA’s funding ratio to a historic high of 128%, up from 115%
on the previous half-year,” Mr Holding said.

VWA's Net Profit $675M
DATE: Friday, March 2, 2007

Workcover victims response to this is:

If the VWA have such a high net profit then why is Mr Holding
telling us here at workcover victims that the government has no
money to include the victims of workplace injuries injured before
october 19th 1999?

Which one is it Mr Holding $675 Milion in profits or not enough
money to include us?

Who are you lying to?