Page 1596 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 14 May 2019
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MR COE (Yerrabi—Leader of the Opposition) (4.18): I move amendment No 21 circulated in my name [see schedule 1 at page 1636]. This amendment compels the relevant insurer to incorporate in the final version of the recovery plan any comments received from the injured person’s doctor. As the bill is currently drafted, the insurer is not obliged to take into account any comments made by the injured person and the injured person’s doctor when finalising the draft recovery plan. Again, it seems we are giving disproportionate influence and disproportionate power and responsibility to the insurance companies and we are writing out the opinion of medical experts and the victim.
MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Social Inclusion and Equality, Minister for Tourism and Special Events and Minister for Trade, Industry and Investment) (4.19): The issue here is an example where a treating doctor recommends treatment that is not supported by current medical literature as best practice. So there could be many examples where it would be prudent not to pursue the recommended treatment. For that reason, the government believes the current wording is appropriate. We will not be supporting an amendment to that wording.
MR COE (Yerrabi—Leader of the Opposition) (4.19): What we are talking about is whether we include in the recovery plan advice from the injured person’s doctor. There is a fair chance that the insurance company is going to have a vested interest in not including the advice from the injured person’s doctor. Yet, for some reason, Labor and the Greens seem quite willing to give the insurance companies this power.
MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Social Inclusion and Equality, Minister for Tourism and Special Events and Minister for Trade, Industry and Investment) (4.20): The important point here is that the opposition’s amendment, as drafted, may have the effect of an injured person’s nominated treating doctor overriding the decision. It is not a question of taking into account; it is a question of overriding, so it is a bridge too far.
MR COE (Yerrabi—Leader of the Opposition) (4.20), by leave: Just to make it clear exactly what is being included here, we are seeking to incorporate in the final version of the recovery plan changes that give effect to the comments of the injured person’s doctor. We are making it very clear that we think the medical opinion of their doctor should be included in the recovery plan that is stipulated by the insurance company. We think that is quite reasonable.
Amendment negatived.
MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Social Inclusion and Equality, Minister for Tourism and Special Events and Minister for Trade, Industry and Investment) (4.21): I move amendment No 8 circulated in my name [see schedule 2 at page 1644]. The government amendment proposes to ensure that the relevant insurer may incorporate in the final version of the recovery plan the recommendations of the injured person’s doctor for treatment and care that is reasonable and necessary. Any disputes about treatment and care that is not reasonable or necessary are subject
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