Review of injured workers' leave-accrual rights in NSW confirmed; Compensation policy failures cost ACT employers $260k; ACT Government urged to investigate its own policies in safety probe; and FWBC advisory board appointed.
Many injured NSW workers are likely to turn to the State IRC and Fair Work Australia to block the reduction of their weekly benefits under the new step-down provisions of the Workers Compensation Act, according to a leading law firm.
NSW Labor promises to restore journey claims and target insurers; SA employer and officer charged over desalination plant fatality; and Andes plane crash survivor to speak at WorkCover SA Conference.
NSW employer premiums won't be reduced for 2012/13, despite the recent workers' comp overhaul, WorkCover has announced. The regulator has also provided an example of what constitutes a "substantial connection" to work under the new journey claim rules.
The Greens have ridiculed the so-called restoration of journey claims in the NSW workers' comp amendment Bill, which passed through the Upper House at 3am this morning, while firefighters have reason to celebrate, having convinced Parliament they should be exempt from the new laws.
The NSW workers' compensation amendment Bill, which passed through the Lower House yesterday, cuts journey claims and includes controversial retrospective provisions, but does not curtail recess claims as recommended by the WorkCover inquiry.
Journey claims will be axed, recess claims curtailed and "large increases" in insurer remuneration reviewed, under recommendations made by the parliamentary committee inquiry into the NSW workers' compensation scheme.
New board appointed in controversial WorkCover "shake-up"; Safety-data-sheet guide released as NT WorkSafe defends harmonised asbestos laws; WorkSafe investigating crush death; and Emergency eye-wash poster published.
The NSW Government will consider removing WorkCover journey claims and reducing step-down periods to prevent premiums from increasing by 28 per cent, but unions warn that injured workers will be abandoned under the proposals.
