QTPA Member Alert | QUEENSLAND “WORKCOVER “ UPDATE (14/6/2012)
QUEENSLAND “WORKCOVER “ UPDATE.
I take this opportunity to update you on important developments on WorkCover matters in Queensland for your information.
On Friday (8th June) last week the Queensland Government published in the Government Gazette the new premium increases for the scheme. The Government also announced the details of a review of the scheme’s operation. I have included a copy of the Media Statement issued by the Minister last week for your convenience and background.
While the State Government can be congratulated for moderating the rate of increase to WorkCover premiums, the average 2 per cent increase from 1 July will nonetheless add to business costs in uncertain times for Queensland businesses an issue for our Turf Production businesses.
This year’s increase comes on top of last year’s 9 per cent hike, and the 13 per cent increase the year before. That means businesses are effectively paying around 26 per cent more than they were paying three years ago.
The past few years have been very challenging for many businesses in Queensland, especially for those outside of the resources fast lane. The global financial crisis, natural disasters, a historically high $A dollar and increasing competition from cheap imports have all taken a heavy toll.
Given this backdrop, the upcoming review of the WorkCover scheme announced by Minister Jarrod Bleijie, will be an important opportunity to focus on how the scheme is operating. I am sure we would like to see issues like improving its administration and statutory claims management, and also the ongoing issue of limiting access to common law damages be top of the agenda, so that savings can be translated into reduced premiums for all sectors. Employer groups will be reviewing this issue very closely and will contribute to the outcomes.
While it is important that the scheme remains financially viable to ensure it has the capacity to properly compensate injured workers, it is believed there is a lot of room for improvement on how claims are processed.
[prettyfilelink src=”http://qtpa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/queensland-government-brings-forward-workers-compensation-review.pdf” type=”pdf”]queensland government brings forward workers compensation review[/prettyfilelink]
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