É«ÀÇÉçÇøCampaign for Workers Compensation Changes
19 March 2015
For some time now the É«ÀÇÉçÇøhas been actively pursuing changes to the Coalition Government’s appalling workers compensation legislation.
In July last year, members from the Prison Officers Vocational Branch commenced a campaign to highlight the impact some of the worst aspects of the legislation were having on Correctional Officers.
This campaign has escalated partly due to the increased risk of injury for Correctional Officers as a consequence of prison overcrowding.
The overcrowding issue and associated increase in injury risk has led to wide media coverage.
It has also allowed the É«ÀÇÉçÇøthrough Correctional Officers to reignite community and media attention on the need for immediate reform to the workers compensation legislation.
Early in February, the É«ÀÇÉçÇømet with the Attorney General, Minister Hazzard and the Minister for Finance Dominic Perrottet to discuss a range of concerns with regards to workers compensation.
As a consequence of that meeting we were invited to identify key areas related to workers compensation that the É«ÀÇÉçÇøbelieved may be policy matters that could be considered by the Government.
Letter to Minister Constance re top-up pay (PDF)
In addition, the É«ÀÇÉçÇøwas invited by Minister Perrottet to put in a separate written submission on broader workers compensation issues which had been discussed at the meeting.These were matters that would definitely require legislative change.
The É«ÀÇÉçÇøhas been consulting with Unions NSW on the detail of this submission as this area of legislation is very complex and we do not want to propose any changes to the legislation which may have unintended consequences.
The submission will be finalised this week.
Further updates will be provided to members.
Yours in unity
Anne Gardiner
GENERAL SECRETARY