The Hodgman Liberal Government’s nation-leading legislation to make it easier for public sector workers to access work-related compensation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has passed Tasmania’s lower house.
The legislation is the first of its kind in Australia, and the Liberal Government has taken affirmative action to better support public sector workers and reduce the stigma surrounding PTSD.
As of 30 October 2018, Government agencies automatically accept diagnosed claims for PTSD compensation as work-related, however legislative amendments are required to uphold these changes in law.
This makes us the first jurisdiction in Australia to legislate a presumptive provision that a PTSD diagnosis is work-related.
These changes will apply to all Tasmanian Government employees, and are of particular benefit to Tasmania’s hardworking paramedics, police officers, firefighters, prison guards and other emergency service workers who keep our community safe in sometimes traumatic and trying circumstances.
The legislation will now move to the upper house for consideration.
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