MP Stephanie Key speaks out against Labor's bill for SA WorkCover changes
Labor backbencher Stephanie Key has spoken out in the South Australian Parliament against her own party's legislation to change the workers' compensation scheme WorkCover.
The bill would end payments after two years for people deemed not to be seriously injured, which Ms Key argued would be harsh on some injured workers.
"I believe these tougher provisions will make it more difficult to access workers' compensation, resulting in more disputes and lower return to work rates through delays and refusals [of benefits]," she told the House of Assembly.
"[The bill] is designed to reduce employer premiums at the expense of injured workers and their entitlements, rather than [make] genuine improvements in the scheme."
Industrial Relations Minister John Rau said changes were needed to reign in costs and help reduce the insurance premiums employers faced.
He told State Parliament the latest reforms were expected to save taxpayers about $180 million annually.
"Something like 94-96 per cent of people entering the scheme will be better off," he argued.
Ms Key said, despite being a vocal critic of the changes, she would vote in favour of the legislation.
Mr Rau said he respected the range of party views on changing WorkCover.
"I know there are a number of people in the ALP who have strong views about this, I respect their opinions," he said.
"I just hope that over the course of the committee stage of the bill they'll have a chance to ask questions about those matters that concern them and I can allay their fears.
"The workers' compensation scheme is not a magic pudding, you can't just pull out as much as you like and not have to pay for it. The scheme has to be tailored to what can be afforded."
Lawyers critical of injury threshold
Law Society president Morry Bailes said the proposed definition of a seriously injured worker was unfair.
He said the [assessed injury] threshold for a worker to sue their employer under common law also was set being too high under the legislation.
"The threshold is 30 per cent so the question is in reality how many people are going to be able to access it," he said.
"Previously you could aggregate injuries, here you can't.
"If someone suffers more than one type of injury, you can't add them together to come up with the 30 per cent or greater impairment, even though in reality they may be impaired at 30 per cent or greater, so you can see the intrinsic unfairness of the bill in that regard."
Mr Rau said the Government had sought to achieve balanced work injury legislation.
"If the Law Society want to change that threshold and they're happy to explain to the employers of South Australia why they should have a more expensive scheme that's a matter for them, I guess," he said.
Opposition Leader Steven Marshall pledged Liberal support for the rapid passage of the WorkCover changes.
"My clear message to the Government with WorkCover reform is get on with it," he said.
