Published Monday, 14 May, 2007 at 10:07 AM
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
QUEENSLAND WORKERS' COMPENSATION RATE LOWEST IN AUSTRALIA
13 May 2007
Queensland employers enjoying the lowest rates of all workers' compensation premiums in Australia are to have their rates cut even further, Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure Anna Bligh announced today.
The WorkCover Queensland fund will be cut to an average premium rate of $1.15 for every $100 an employer pays in wages, saving business well over $30 million a year.
The new rate is down 4.2% from $1.20 last year and significantly down from the $2.14 rate the Beattie Labor Government inherited when it took office in 1998.
“This is fantastic news for Queensland employers who now have had the lowest average premium rate of any Australian state for eight years and received premium rate cuts for the past three consecutive years,” Ms Bligh said.
Ms Bligh said WorkCover Queensland was committed to a successful balance between benefits for injured workers and low premiums for employers, so while premiums have remained low, benefits to injured workers have actually increased.
“The Queensland scheme is one of the country’s most worker friendly, including entitlements to benefits that many other states and the Commonwealth schemes do not provide, including for journey and recess claims,” she said.
“Queensland’s average premium rate in 2007/08 will be 21% lower than Victoria, which only recently trumpeted its new lower rate at $1.46.
“In the last two years the Government has legislated to increase death benefits for workers’ dependents, increased lump sums and boosted the time a job for seriously injured workers is held open from six to twelve months.
“In addition, the Government is again working with stakeholders on ways to further enhance the benefits paid to Queensland’s injured workers.
“WorkCover Queensland has led the nation for years now but its prized position is under threat because of the federal Government’s move to have more large employers self insure with a Commonwealth scheme which has fewer worker benefits. Employers should think long and hard about the real costs of such a move, particularly away from a scheme which continues to go from strength to strength.”
Ms Bligh thanked WorkCover chairman Ian Brusasco, chief executive officer Tony Hawkins, the board and the staff for the exceptional performance.
Deputy Premier’s Office, 3224 6900
May 13, 2007
Queensland employers enjoying the lowest rates of all workers' compensation premiums in Australia are to have their rates cut even further, Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure Anna Bligh announced today.
The WorkCover Queensland fund will be cut to an average premium rate of $1.15 for every $100 an employer pays in wages, saving business well over $30 million a year.
The new rate is down 4.2% from $1.20 last year and significantly down from the $2.14 rate the Beattie Labor Government inherited when it took office in 1998.
“This is fantastic news for Queensland employers who now have had the lowest average premium rate of any Australian state for eight years and received premium rate cuts for the past three consecutive years,” Ms Bligh said.
Ms Bligh said WorkCover Queensland was committed to a successful balance between benefits for injured workers and low premiums for employers, so while premiums have remained low, benefits to injured workers have actually increased.
“The Queensland scheme is one of the country’s most worker friendly, including entitlements to benefits that many other states and the Commonwealth schemes do not provide, including for journey and recess claims,” she said.
“Queensland’s average premium rate in 2007/08 will be 21% lower than Victoria, which only recently trumpeted its new lower rate at $1.46.
“In the last two years the Government has legislated to increase death benefits for workers’ dependents, increased lump sums and boosted the time a job for seriously injured workers is held open from six to twelve months.
“In addition, the Government is again working with stakeholders on ways to further enhance the benefits paid to Queensland’s injured workers.
“WorkCover Queensland has led the nation for years now but its prized position is under threat because of the federal Government’s move to have more large employers self insure with a Commonwealth scheme which has fewer worker benefits. Employers should think long and hard about the real costs of such a move, particularly away from a scheme which continues to go from strength to strength.”
Ms Bligh thanked WorkCover chairman Ian Brusasco, chief executive officer Tony Hawkins, the board and the staff for the exceptional performance.
Deputy Premier’s Office, 3224 6900
May 13, 2007