On behalf of the Tasmanian Liberal Government, I welcome the news that the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment Bill 2016 has passed the Tasmanian Legislative Council.
This Bill reduces the excessive red tape associated with the administration and legislation of the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Scheme. Instead the focus will be directed to achieving positive outcomes for all workers, employers and insurers.
In addition, the Bill will introduce improvements for workers who have been affected by workplace injuries. These include, allowing medical certificates to be issued for up to 28 days instead of 14, and improved access to workers compensation payments for older workers.
For older workers, this will mean their payments will not cease when changes are made by the Commonwealth to the minimum age of retirement.
Importantly, the Bill changes the composition of the board to a skills-based board, from the current situation where it is representative based. This doesn’t mean that in the future those with union or business affiliations can’t be on it, but if so they will be members based upon the skills they bring to the board, not who they represent.
This change is consistent with contemporary governance practice.
The Bill will now return with amendments to the Lower House, before receiving the Royal Ascent.
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