BEATTIE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES FIGHT FOR QLD WORKERS’ RIGHTS
Published Sunday, 19 August, 2007 at 01:48 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Queenslanders’ access to one of the best workers’ compensation systems in the country is threatened under the Federal Government’s Work Choices system, Premier Peter Beattie said today.
Mr Beattie was joined by Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel to launch an advertising campaign highlighting Queensland’s superior workers’ compensation scheme.
“The Queensland Government will not stand by while the Prime Minister tries to sabotage Queenslanders’ rights when it comes to workers’ compensation,” Mr Beattie said.
“WorkCover Queensland is among the most generous for employees and offers the lowest premiums of any state in Australia – including the federal Comcare scheme.
“A recent independent study found that under Comcare, Queensland claimants would receive 20 per cent less and Comare’s employer costs were 39 per cent more than WorkCover Queensland.
“This is not good enough and my Government will continue to fight against Work Choices to ensure Queenslanders get a fair go.”
Mr Beattie said under Comcare, workers were not covered for injury sustained while travelling to or from work, leaving people like Associate Professor Phillip Morris exposed.
“Associate Professor Morris was riding his bike home from his job at the Queensland University of Technology when he was hit by a car,” Mr Beattie said.
“Because he was covered by WorkCover Queensland, he received support during his intensive and ongoing recovery, totalling $250,000 in wages and medical expenses to date.
“Under Comcare, Phillip would have been left on his own, with no support – that’s just not good enough.”
Associate Professor Morris said: “I suffered a broken neck leaving me without any sensation or movement below the neck. I spent a total of 10 months in hospital. It took 6 months of hard work in the gym before I was even able to bring my hand to my face.”
“I left hospital a little over a year ago confined to a wheel chair. I went back to work two days a week and I am continuing my rehabilitation but I need daily assistance from personal carers,” Associate Professor Morris said.
“Without the prompt financial assistance from WorkCover I would have struggled financially and my rehabilitation would not have been so rapid.”
Mr Mickel said WorkCover Queensland had recorded Australia's lowest average premium rate for seven years straight, dropping in May this year to $1.15 per $100 in wages, saving Queensland businesses more than $30 million a year.
“WorkCover Queensland also has the lowest rate of disputed claims in Australia at just 3.8 per cent in 2005-06, compared to the national average of 9.2 per cent – giving Queenslanders even more peace of mind," he said.
“Anyway you look at it, the State scheme is the standout.
“WorkCover's simpler approach to disputed claims meant 90 per cent had been resolved within three months.
“WorkCover is also offering employers flexible payment options, including 3 per cent discount if paid in full by 16 September, and interest-free periodic payments.
“This effectively reduces the average premium even further.”
WorkCover Queensland has the highest levels of benefits in Australia for work-related fatalities.
“But it's much more than that,” Mr Mickel said.
“Queensland workers are protected by comprehensive workplace standards and compliance which is overseen by 250 inspectors so the issue of safety at work is being addressed by making our workplaces safer and looking after Queenslanders who may get insured.”
Mr Mickel said the new advertising campaign promoting WorkCover Queensland would run until September 29.
Media contacts: Premier's Office – Alexia Deegan 0400 767 490,
Minister’s Office – Chris Brown 0409 305 669
Mr Beattie was joined by Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel to launch an advertising campaign highlighting Queensland’s superior workers’ compensation scheme.
“The Queensland Government will not stand by while the Prime Minister tries to sabotage Queenslanders’ rights when it comes to workers’ compensation,” Mr Beattie said.
“WorkCover Queensland is among the most generous for employees and offers the lowest premiums of any state in Australia – including the federal Comcare scheme.
“A recent independent study found that under Comcare, Queensland claimants would receive 20 per cent less and Comare’s employer costs were 39 per cent more than WorkCover Queensland.
“This is not good enough and my Government will continue to fight against Work Choices to ensure Queenslanders get a fair go.”
Mr Beattie said under Comcare, workers were not covered for injury sustained while travelling to or from work, leaving people like Associate Professor Phillip Morris exposed.
“Associate Professor Morris was riding his bike home from his job at the Queensland University of Technology when he was hit by a car,” Mr Beattie said.
“Because he was covered by WorkCover Queensland, he received support during his intensive and ongoing recovery, totalling $250,000 in wages and medical expenses to date.
“Under Comcare, Phillip would have been left on his own, with no support – that’s just not good enough.”
Associate Professor Morris said: “I suffered a broken neck leaving me without any sensation or movement below the neck. I spent a total of 10 months in hospital. It took 6 months of hard work in the gym before I was even able to bring my hand to my face.”
“I left hospital a little over a year ago confined to a wheel chair. I went back to work two days a week and I am continuing my rehabilitation but I need daily assistance from personal carers,” Associate Professor Morris said.
“Without the prompt financial assistance from WorkCover I would have struggled financially and my rehabilitation would not have been so rapid.”
Mr Mickel said WorkCover Queensland had recorded Australia's lowest average premium rate for seven years straight, dropping in May this year to $1.15 per $100 in wages, saving Queensland businesses more than $30 million a year.
“WorkCover Queensland also has the lowest rate of disputed claims in Australia at just 3.8 per cent in 2005-06, compared to the national average of 9.2 per cent – giving Queenslanders even more peace of mind," he said.
“Anyway you look at it, the State scheme is the standout.
“WorkCover's simpler approach to disputed claims meant 90 per cent had been resolved within three months.
“WorkCover is also offering employers flexible payment options, including 3 per cent discount if paid in full by 16 September, and interest-free periodic payments.
“This effectively reduces the average premium even further.”
WorkCover Queensland has the highest levels of benefits in Australia for work-related fatalities.
“But it's much more than that,” Mr Mickel said.
“Queensland workers are protected by comprehensive workplace standards and compliance which is overseen by 250 inspectors so the issue of safety at work is being addressed by making our workplaces safer and looking after Queenslanders who may get insured.”
Mr Mickel said the new advertising campaign promoting WorkCover Queensland would run until September 29.
Media contacts: Premier's Office – Alexia Deegan 0400 767 490,
Minister’s Office – Chris Brown 0409 305 669