Page 1084 - Week 03 - Thursday, 18 March 2010
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MS GALLAGHER (Molonglo—Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Health and Minister for Industrial Relations) (10.35), in reply: I thank members for their contributions today. Last year I addressed the Assembly on the need for improvements to the efficiency and effectiveness of the ACT’s workers compensation scheme. The object of workers compensation is to make available a fair and just system that provides care and support for injured workers and an efficient, cost-effective and equitable system for employers. This amendment bill provides further administrative improvement to the functioning of the ACT scheme.
When the Default Insurance Fund Advisory Committee was established in 2005, it was the government’s intention that it provide the Minister for Industrial Relations and the fund manager with a mechanism by which to draw on the contribution of experience, knowledge and expertise of stakeholders. Six years on it has become clear that refinement to the functioning and membership structure of the advisory committee is required. This bill proposes minor amendments to the function of the advisory committee which clarify the scope of its role in the overall private sector workers compensation scheme. Put simply, the amendments make it clear that the primary function of the advisory committee is to keep abreast of the operations and conduct of the fund in order to provide, as requested, advice on the same to the Minister for Industrial Relations or the fund manager.
The bill also proposes amendments to ensure balanced stakeholder interests and to preserve equality in the representation of the experience, knowledge and expertise by streamlining the membership of the advisory committee. A more efficient and effective structure will be consistent with the role and functions of the advisory committee under the act.
I thank members for their support. This is a piece of continuing work and there will be further legislative reform in this area of workers compensation as we continue to refine and make sure that we have a very efficient and effective ACT workers compensation scheme here in the ACT.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.
Bill agreed to.
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2010
Debate resumed from 11 February 2010, on motion by Mr Corbell:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (10.38): The Canberra Liberals will be supporting this bill, with one amendment, which I will address later. This is one of many omnibus
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