Statement by Chris Rodwell
Ai Group Queensland Director

“The Queensland Government’s proposed hike in WorkCover premiums will come at very bad time for the State’s employers” Ai Group Queensland Director Chris Rodwell said today following the release of a Government discussion paper on the future of the scheme.

“The Government should instead consider restricting access for injured workers to increase their compensation through the courts and instead insist that their claim be dealt with by Workcover through the existing statutory process.

“Whilst Ai Group recognises the scheme needs to remain financially viable, and needs to properly compensate injured workers, feedback from Queensland employers indicates that the common law claims’ process, which accounts for a large proportion of recent cost pressures for the scheme, is being abused.

“At the moment we allow every injured worker to access the courts to increase their compensation. By restricting this access to those with significant injuries you can avert the need to impose premium increases on employers without impacting the fairness of the system.

“A hike in business costs is the last thing that Queensland employers need. Not only are many just recovering from the Global Financial Crisis, but many are also dealing with increased business costs such as energy price rises, environmental license fees increases and the loss of the State’s petrol subsidy at the last Queensland State Budget.

“The flagged increases will badly impact on the 150,000 employers across the State with a WorkCover policy. For many employers such increases will have a negative impact on their ability to invest more in their business, or employ more people.

“No-one disputes that genuinely injured employees should be compensated but there is a smarter way to solve the problem than increasing employer premiums. In doing so you undercut economic growth and put jobs at risk.

“A premium increase will be especially disappointing for those companies that have worked hard to improve workplace safety, and consequently reduce their premiums.

“Queensland has held a very enviable position compared to other states in relation to the average rate of workers’ compensation premiums, and it would be very disappointing if Queensland was to forfeit any of its current advantage.

“As such, Ai Group will be strongly urging the Government to restrict access to Common Law claims to 15 per cent whole person impairment.“

Ai Group will consult closely with its members in framing its final submission to the Government over the coming weeks.


Further comment:
Chris Rodwell, Ai Group: 07 3244 1777
Media enquiries:
Aaron Johnstone, Ai Group: 07 3244 1767