WORKCOVER FIASCO EXPOSES IMMORAL, IRRESPONSIBLE POLICY

24 February 2009

The South Australian government has been shamed by the failure of its changes to the WorkCover laws, which attacked workers' rights, to halt the Corporation's financial woes.

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says the government stands condemned by short sightedness, heartlessness and political pig headedness.

"The state government embarked on a heartless campaign to slash entitlements to injured workers in order to "save" WorkCover's finances."

"With its unfunded liabilities topping $1Billion by the CEO's own admission, vulnerable workers have suffered for nought."

"Sadly, this result vindicates our argument that attacking workers instead of addressing the scheme's fundamental structure was doomed to fail", Ms Giles says.

"The government rushed through legislation without proper process and refused to consider any amendments or reasoned argument.  No matter what we said, no matter how cogent our arguments, it was determined to push through its laws designed to rip entitlements off the very workers the scheme was designed to assist."

"But worse, the government has flagged its intention to reduce the WorkCover levy paid by employers."

"Workers have been penalised, liabilities continue to rise, and yet the government wants to curb the scheme's income - what the ...??!?"

"Any move to reduce employer contributions to the scheme would condemn this government not only as one that no longer cares for injured workers but also one that is financially irresponsible."

"SA Unions has proposed prudent, constructive reforms to return the scheme to health without penalising workers or unduly burdening employers.  When will the state government get off its high horse and consider that it might be a good idea to fix the cause of the problem instead of blaming the victims?"