1. What does the review of the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981 aim to achieve?
The review aims to:
1. Create an improved structure for the Act, to enhance the readability and consistency of the legislation.
2. Improve the efficiency of the legislation to respond to changing circumstances.
3. Address anomalies which have been identified through past experience in the operation of the Act, including matters raised in the evaluation of the 2005 reforms or by stakeholders.
4. Address specific policy issues, such as age discrimination, as identified by stakeholders.
It should be noted that the review will not undertake a broad ranging examination of the benefits and entitlements contained within the scheme.
2. How will the aims be achieved?
A report on the first two aims (ie structure and efficiency) of the review will be prepared by WorkCover WA, and considered by an External Reference Group.
A final report, incorporating feedback from the External Reference Group, will be provided to the Minister by the end of 2009.
In addition to the structure of the legislation, a range of matters have been raised by stakeholders (see aim # 4 above), such as the age limitations within the Act, which require broader consideration.
WorkCover WA will produce Issues Paper/s on these matters, taking an evidence-based approach to developing policy options for further consideration.
3. Will the review result in changes to benefits and entitlements payable under the scheme?
Benefits and entitlements are generally outside the scope of the review. However, there are some specific benefit matters which have been consistently raised by stakeholders that will be considered via Issues Papers.
This includes, for instance, the issue of whether age limitations currently in place should be extended or lifted to cover workers over the age of 65.
4. How can I get involved?
WorkCover WA has established an External Reference Group to assist in the review process. Membership of this group is listed below.
However, individuals or groups may wish to be contacted regarding specific matters and should do so by contacting the Project Manager, Andrea Walsh by email.
Please indicate your specific area/s of interest in your email. All emails will be acknowledged, and WorkCover will advise you as to whether issues or matters are seen to be outside the scope of the review.
5. Who is on the External Reference Group?
Membership of the Reference Group has been drawn from the key stakeholder groups involved in the scheme.
Members are representative of broader stakeholder groups and have been encouraged to consult within their respective sector to ensure appropriate input from others in the field.
Ms Michelle Reynolds
Chair of the External Reference Group
Acting Chief Executive Officer
WorkCover WA
Mr Peter Jennings
Deputy Executive Director
Australian Medical Association (WA)
Ms Anne Bellamy
Director, Health, Occupational Safety & Workers’ Compensation
Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Mr David Todd
Executive Officer, Safety and Health
Chamber of Minerals and Energy
Mr Brian Bradley
Director General
Department of Commerce
Ms Adele Coyne
Workplace advisor - IR and legal services
Housing Industry Association
Mr Garry Moore
Representative
Insurance Council of Australia
Mr Neil Gray
Chairperson
National Insurance Brokers Association WA
Mr John Revill
Chair
Self-Insurers Association
Mr John Fiocco
Representative
The Law Society
Prof Rob Guthrie
Professor of Workers’ Compensation and Workplace Laws
Curtin University of Technology
Unions WA
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