Missed chance to improve assistance to Victorian workers injured at work

VTHC News Letter
17 June 2009

The state government has missed a major opportunity to correct major
problems in Victoria’s workers’ compensation system that date back to t
he Kennett years, according to the Victorian Trades Hall Council.

VTHC Secretary, Brian Boyd said today: “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.”

The VTHC Secretary 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,” said the
VTHC Secretary Brian Boyd.

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,” concluded Mr Boyd.