Review Outcomes to Make Life Harder for Injured Workers

The State Government finally released the Hanks report into Victoria’s Accident Compensation system and the timing of its release on Grand Final eve isn’t the only embarrassment for Labor as the report contains many regressive recommendations that will make life harder for injured workers.

The report fails to adequately recommend fair and just compensation to workers injured in Victoria and will make it harder for workers suffering stress related injury to claim compensation.

The report recommends that the Accident Compensation Conciliation Service be stripped of the power to issue directions to employers to pay compensation to injured workers.  This will effectively neuter the current dispute resolution process and is reminiscent of the deleterious changes the Kennett government made in 1992.

Other changes diminish workers rights to return to work and / or to have appropriate representation through the disputes process and the return to work process.

        Victoria already provides the lowest percentage of pre-injury earnings for 120 weeks of incapacity to workers according to the 9th Edition of the WorkPlace Relations Ministers Comparative Monitoring Report.

        Victoria also has the highest rejection rate of any other Australian compensation system with 14.1% of all new claims being rejected according to this comparator.

        Victoria has the second lowest return to work rates of any of the other States except South Australia according to the Heads of Workers’ Compensation Authorities Return to Work Monitor.

        Victoria has the highest percentage of injured workers that are either sacked or retrenched with 18% of injured workers surveyed were either sacked or retrenched this report also states.

The Victorian system already fails to provide fair and just weekly payment, an appropriate dispute resolution process with real powers, and does not provide adequate return to work rights for injured workers.  If the Government adopts the Hanks’ recommendations the system in Victoria will make life even harder for injured workers under Labor.

Click here to view/print a copy of the Hanks Report Recommendations; www.compensationreview.vic.gov.au

Click here to view/print a copy of Trades Hall’s response;

http://www.cpsuvic.org/public_docs/FixWorkcoverRepsMeeting0810.pdf

 ANNA STEWART PROJECT

The AS two week Project places women within their own union to experience the full range of union work.  CPSU is seeking nominations from women who may be interested in participating in this year’s project which will run from Monday 13th to Friday 24th October 2008.

Click here to view/print some info;

http://www.cpsuvic.org/AnnaStewartMemProject2008BackgroundNotes.pdf and e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to express your interest.

Fringe Shows @ Trades Hall

CPSU has free tickets to these shows but you need to be quick.

FELICITY WARD'S

UGLY AS A CHILD VARIETY SHOW

GIVEAWAY FOR TUE 30/9 @ 7.15PM –

60 mins - Old Council Chambers

2008 AFL SEASON REVIEW

ONE SHOW ONLY!

GIVEAWAY FOR TUE 30/9 @ 8.15PM –

75 minutes - New Ballroom

DIE ROTEN PUNKTE (Music)

GIVEAWAY FOR WED 1/10 @ 8.15PM –

60 mins - New Ballroom

GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROADY (Music Theatre)

GIVEAWAY FOR TUE 7/10 @ 7.00PM –

60 mins - New Ballroom

LE CHOCOLAT (Cabaret)

GIVEAWAY FOR WED 8/10 @ 8.30PM –

60 mins - Old Council Chambers

Visit www.bellaunion.com.au for ALL the Fringe shows at Trades Hall and e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with FRINGE in the subject line to WIN.  ONLY 2 doubles available each show.

KAREN BATT

CPSU Victorian Branch Secretary

29 September 2008