Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer has welcomed changes to the NSW Workers Compensation system, saying the reforms will go a long way toward helping businesses survive and providing certainty for injured workers.
“As someone who was the General Manager of a business in Laurieton and Kew for more than 30 years, I know how tough it is for employers to manage rising costs and uncertainty,” Mr Dwyer said. This will spare businesses and charities from big price rises.
“The NSW Liberals and Nationals have secured significant improvements to Labor’s original Workers Compensation proposals, delivering certainty for employers, stronger protections for injured workers, and greater stability for the scheme overall.”
Under the agreement secured by the Liberals and Nationals:
During this time the states Chief Psychiatrist will finalise a report into how to better determine psychological impairment
icare premiums will be frozen at current rates for 18 months
The most seriously injured workers will receive an additional 12 months of medical benefits and income support
Funding for return-to-work programs has increased, including retraining, mentoring, and access to specialist case workers
“From the outset, the Opposition opposed Labor’s original plan to cut entitlements, particularly for workers with permanent psychological injuries,” Mr Dwyer said.
“Our focus has always been on front-end reform targeting rorts and inefficiencies, lifting return-to-work performance, and containing premiums for employers.”
Mr Dwyer said prolonged uncertainty was no longer sustainable.
“Small businesses and charities should not be heading into the Christmas period facing unknown premium shocks, and injured workers deserve certainty about their recovery and support.”
“This agreement stabilises the system in the short term, but it is not the end of reform. The Liberals and Nationals remain committed to long term, structural reform to ensure the Workers Compensation scheme is fair, compassionate, and financially sustainable.”
“We will continue to hold the Minns Labor Government to account until that standard is met.”
