Media Releases

LUCAS FRONTS GRILLING OVER RETURN TO WORK CHANGES

July 28, 2021

LUCAS FRONTS GRILLING OVER RETURN TO WORK CHANGES


The brewing stoush between the government and advocates is set to level up as the Treasurer faces a grilling at Parliamentary Estimates over the proposed Return to Work changes. A coalition of unions, medical specialists and lawyers will address the media following the Treasurer’s appearance.


The press conference will be held at SA Unions where SA Unions Secretary Dale Beasley, together with injured workers, the Hon Irene Pnevmatikos MLC, doctors and lawyers involved in the Return to Work system, will share their stories and respond to the Treasurer’s evidence at Parliamentary Estimates.


Background:


The government is considering changes to the way injured workers are medically assessed for compensation payments. This is a major change to the workers compensation system that can happen with the stroke of a ministerial pen.


At a Parliamentary Estimates hearing on the 28th July, the Treasurer Hon Rob Lucas will be interrogated over outrageous plans to strip entitlements from injured workers with the stroke of a pen.


While COVID-19 has resulted in the public being unable to scrutinise proceedings from the gallery, members of South Australia's union movement and the medical and legal profession will be watching the Treasurer's every word over livestream. The coalition will respond to the Treasurer’s evidence at a press conference following proceedings


Quotes attributed to SA Unions Secretary, Dale Beasley:


“If implemented, workers who have been seriously injured at no fault of their own could have their injuries "discounted" and could be left in poverty with no work prospects and no compensation. Workers are very worried about what these changes could mean for them."


“This is truly a case of adding insult to injury. There has been no discussion with Unions who represent injured workers. There is no Parliamentary oversight of these dramatic changes.
“Medical specialists who understand workplace injuries oppose the changes. Lawyers who understand the law oppose the changes and Unions who represent workers demand that the government drop these changes."


“The workers compensation system never makes it easy for injured workers to get adequate compensation. Let's not make things any worse.”

Press Conference:


What: Press conference with Dale Beasley, the Hon Irene Pnevmatikos MLC, workers and workers compensation advocates
Where: SA Unions, Ground Floor 170 Greenhill Road, Parkside.
When: 1:00PM 28 July 2021

All Media Enquiries: Dale Beasley – 8279 2222

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