Media reports suggest that the Government is considering cutting WorkCover benefits to injured workers.

The PSA is completely opposed to any reductions in benefits. Workers do not choose to be injured and should not suffer further injury through pay loss.

The media reports arise from the Clayton-Walsh review, established by the Government in 2007, to recommend changes to the WorkCover legislation. This follows proposals by the WorkCover Board to reduce the Corporations' financial pressures by savagely reducing benefits.

Cutting benefits to workers is a knee-jerk reaction that inevitably arises when financial questions are raised about workers compensation.

The PSA has made a detailed submission to the Clayton-Walsh review, available here on the PSA web-site. That report makes it clear that cuts to entitlements are not necessary and will not fix the problem.

It is true that SA has a comparatively low return to work rate when compared to other states. Instead of blaming injured workers for this, the Government should be ensuring that employers play their part in getting injured workers back to work with proper support and at the earliest time. In addition, proper occupational health and safety standards must be achieved and maintained to reduce work injuries.

South Australian workers deserve a more effective, better workers compensation scheme better focused on Return to Work programs.. This would improve the system's financial situation and provide better support for injured workers.

18 February 2008