Public Comments made for Accident Compensation Act Review

Public Comments made for the review completed by Mr Hanks QC.
All of the following companies and individuals sent in submissions
outlining their objections. For access to their comments follow the
attached link.

Accident Compensation Conciliation Service
Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors' Association of Australia
Allan Aitchison
AFOEM ANZSOM
Anna Dominguez Smith
Dr Anthony J Buzzard
Anthony Smeaton
Anthea MacTiernan
Australian Education Union
Australian Higher Education Industrial Association
Australian Lawyers Alliance
Australian Manufacturers Workers Union Metals Division
Australian Services Union
Australian Nursing Federation
Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union Victorian Branch
Australian Industry Group
Australian Physiotherapy Association
Australian Rehabilitation Providers Association
Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union Vehicle Division
Australian Manufacturers Workers Union Metals Division
Barrett Burston Malting Co Pty Ltd
Brendon Johnson
Brighton Spinal Group
CARE Group
Chelgrave Contracting
Chiropractic & Osteopathic College of Australasia
Compensation Law Bar Association
Common Law Bar Association
Community and Public Sector Union
Country Fire Authority
Convenor of Medical Panels
County Court of Victoria
Dr H Sutcliffe
Elsa Underhill
Evelyn Field
Evert Van Der Steeg
Farshad Khajenouri
Furnishing Industry Association of Australia
Geoff Provis
Geoffrey Piper
Gordon R Merigan
Harwood Andrews Lawyers
Holding Redlich Lawyers
Industrial Deaths Support & Advocacy Inc
Injured Nurses Support Group
Jeremy Harvey
Joseph Gagliano
Jobwatch
Judith Willis
K E Forbes
Keith E Kerr
Master Plumbers' and Mechanical Services Association Victoria
M O'Loghlen QC
Magistrates Court of Victoria
Maritime Union of Australia
Master Grocers of Australia
Melbourne Audiology Centre
Michael Roche
Michelle Westwood
Municipal Association Victoria
Middletons
National Union of Workers
New Care
Ombudsman Victoria
Oncall Personnel
Recruitment & Consulting Services Association
ResWorks
Robert Kernohan
Self Insurers Association Victoria
Shop Distributive & Allied Employees Association
Sue Hosking
Textile Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia
The Faculty of Pain Medicine & The Australian Pain Society
Tim Johnston
Timber Merchants Association
Timber Merchants Association (2)
Vatmi Industries
Victorian Brain Injury Recovery Association
Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce
Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Victorian Farmers Federation
Victorian Local Governance Association
Victorian Independent Education Union
Victoria Police
Victorian Trades Hall Council
Workers Occupational Health Centre
WV Management Pty Ltd

Mr Holding thinks another expensive review will repair the system and protect Victorian Workers! - Will someone tell this guy to get with the program!

Just what injured workers need, another review!!!

Why don't worksafe just make the employers compliant instead
of wasting all this money on reviews?

This funding could go to the injured workers whom still have
no common law rights!

Media Release: Tuesday, 17 June 2008

Victorian workplace safety will be even stronger following the Brumby
Government’s response to a review of the landmark Occupational Health
and Safety Act 2004.

Minister for Finance, WorkCover and the TAC Tim Holding said the Government had accepted the majority of the review’s
recommendations to ensure Victoria remains a leader in
workplace safety.

“The response I am releasing today fulfils a commitment made by the
Government to review the legislation to ensure it is working effectively,
” Mr Holding said.“This review confirms that the legislation introduced
in 2004 provides the right framework for Victorian businesses and
workers.”Mr Holding said the recommendations required WorkSafe
Victoria to undertake changes of an operational nature.

WorkSafe has already implemented or is in the process of implementing
many of the recommendations in the review.“The review overwhelmingly
shows the implementation of the legislation has been a smooth process,
but fine tuning of operational matters will further assist workers and
employers,” Mr Holding said.Mr Holding said the Government fully supported the review’s recommendations relating to:

• Improved resolution of safety issues in the workplace;
• Revised guidance for workplace consultation;
• Greater flexibility and support for workplace representation; and
• Providing improved certainty around compliance requirements.

The Government’s response also committed to greater protection of employees who raise OHS issues.“Employees and their OHS representatives have an important role in ensuring that safety issues are identified before they become a problem and supporting these roles will lead to further improvements in workplace safety,” he said.

The review was completed after extensive consultation with trade unions and employer associations. It was conducted by Mr Bob Stensholt MP, who also led the consultation process following Mr Chris Maxwell QC’s review of the 1985 Act.

“I would like to thank Mr Bob Stensholt MP for the outstanding contribution he made in conducting this important review,” he said.

The review report was released in December 2007 and it can be found, along with the Government’s response at: www.worksafe.vic.gov.au