The Work Cover Nightmare, The Liberals add
insult to injury.
With the opposition industrial relations
spokesman Iain Evans pledging reforms to encourage businesses to self-insure,
we must all but wonder what the cost to those left on the work cover system
would endure, and the effects on their already diminished capacity to support
injured workers in a fair and equitable manner, says Mark Aldridge Independent
for the upper house.
The Liberals' plan to cut the WorkCover levy to
2 per cent would "add insult to injury for those workers already in
despair".
SA Unions secretary Janet Giles says South Australia has the
costliest, least fair and most poorly managed workers compensation scheme in
the nation, yet “The Opposition by way of their proposed changes seem to
inadequately address the systems inherent problems”, said Mark
The impact of these bad laws is undeniable. People are struggling
financially, physically and emotionally. Some have lost their homes. Some have
even lost their lives," he said.
"Overall, I think that the Liberal policy offers some
improvements on the current system but it doesn't go any where far enough to
redress the balance and ensure that workers are treated in fair and equitable
manner”.
I personally would investigate both the board it self for
structural biases, ask many Questions about the over all performance including
that of the $2 million dollar hand out to EML. I would also demand greater
transparency regarding issues like EML’s contract re-negotiation, said Mark.
“WorkCover has become a maze of mismanagement” and their unfounded
liability reaching 1.3 Billion should be of grave concerns to all South
Australians.
In an attempt to increase profits and reduce end users, the system
attacks those it is designed to support and protect, considering we hear
figures of only 1% in relation to false claims,” I feel too much money and
resources are wasted trying to avoid supporting genuine suffering workers” says
Mark.
Other simple issues need to be addresses while we are casting our
eyes over the carnage WorkCover has become, lifting the insurable age from 65,
Community centers so injured workers can have a reliable support service and
the like, would be the only educated way to address the huge unfounded
liability, he said.
“Empowering and supporting victims of injury, would prove the most
cost effective way forward, at the same time fulfilling the promises of our
consecutive State Governments” Mark Concluded.
Mark M Aldridge Independent Candidate for the
Legislative Council
08 82847482 / 0403379500 Email;
aldridgemark@bigpond.com Web Site;
www.markmaldridge.com