Workers compensation changes in four jurisdictions
Legislation affecting workers compensation arrangements in four jurisdictions has been introduced, passed and implemented.
ACT: Red Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Bill 2016
The Red Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 (ACT), which was introduced into the Legislative Assembly on 10 March 2016, proposes to amend the Workers Compensation Act 1951 (ACT).
Other instruments affected by the Bill include the Dangerous Substances Act 2004 (ACT), the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2008 (ACT), and the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (ACT).
The objective of the Bill is to address regulatory requirements that add unnecessary administrative and compliance costs for business, the community and government.
Cth: Parliamentary Entitlements Amendment (Injury Compensation Scheme) Act 2016
The Parliamentary Entitlements Amendment (Injury Compensation Scheme) Act 2016 (Cth) received assent to on 8 March 2016.
It amends the Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990 with consequential amendments made to the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 and Age Discrimination Act 2004.
The amendments empower the relevant minister to establish a parliamentary injury compensation scheme that provides the same benefits to parliamentarians and the spouse of the Prime Minister as available to Commonwealth employees under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988. The scheme will be administered by Comcare.
For commencement details, see the text of the Act.
NSW: Workers Compensation Amendment (Latest Index Number) Regulation 2016
The Workers Compensation Amendment (Latest Index Number) Regulation 2016 has been made under the Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW) and commences on 1 April.
The object of this Regulation is to “update an index number that is used for the purpose of the indexation of benefits under the Workers Compensation Act 1987”.
NSW: Workers Compensation (Weekly Payments Indexation) Amendment Order 2016
The Workers Compensation (Weekly Payments Indexation) Amendment order 2016 has been made under the Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW). It relates to weekly payments on compensation under the Act.
Vic: Treasury and Finance Legislation Amendment Bill
The Treasury and Finance Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 (Vic) was introduced into the Legislative Assembly on 8 March 2016 and received its second reading speech on 9 March 2016.
The purposes of the Bill are to:
- clarify that a reduction in figures for state average weekly earnings will not lead to different weekly payment amounts for workers with the highest pre-injury earnings, based on the financial year in which they were injured
- increase the maximum penalty for a body corporate found guilty of recklessly endangering the health or safety of a person to 20,000 penalty units, and
- clarify that regulations can be made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic) to enable people to be authorised as trainers for, and assessors of, applicants seeking a high risk work licence.
This would also affect the Accident Compensation Act 1985 (Vic) and the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 (Vic).
By WorkplaceOHS editorial team
This article was originally posted on Workplace OHS a part of NSW Business Chamber – Australian Business Consulting and Solutions has a dedicated team of WHS/OHS experts who can assist you with your specific WHS/OHS issues and problems.
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