representing state employees since 1885
representing state employees since 1885
MEDIA RELEASE
Labor to make Life harder
The Victorian Labor government has introduced regressive legislation into Parliament
making it harder for workers’ suffering from psychological injuries caused by their employment to
be successful with a WorkCover claim, CPSU's State Secretary Karen Batt said today.
The legislation due to be debated this week will amend the Accident Compensation Act 1985.
Ms Batt said, “in effect, Labor intends to legislate away the right of a worker to claim psychological
injury caused by the workers employment.”
The Government is attempting to convince the Parliament that the legislation expands benefits to
injured workers but overlooks the narrowing of eligibility to claim.”
“$90M increase in benefits - $130M cut by narrowing eligibility.”
“Government has played divide and conquer.” “It’s a frightening fraud,” she said.
Ms Batt said, “you can have the best benefits in the world but it’s near useless to injured workers if
they cannot access them.”
“It’s a huge con.” “It’s typical Government - caught being too clever by half,” she said.
Ms Batt said, “the only beneficiaries will be the Government’s own Departments and Agencies who
will be saved millions by knocking off their stress claims without having to improve resources or
managerial behaviour.”
The legislation proposes to amend s.82 (2A) to add additional preclusions described as
“contemporary management practices” to make it harder for workers’ suffering from psychological
injuries caused by their employment to be successful with a WorkCover claim.
Ms Batt said, “Labor intends to therefore extend the fault system that was introduced by the
Kennett government in 1992.”
“The recast legislative provision would provide exclusion for the employee from WorkCover benefits
if due to:- transfer, demotion, discipline, redeployment, retrenchment, dismissal, appraisal,
counselling, suspension or standing down, training, investigation, not to award promotion, leave of
absence, or any benefit in connection with the employment, to the worker.”
“Ignoring the psychological welfare of your workforce will not see these issues disappear.”
The legislation should be withdrawn and recast or amended to ensure all injured workers have
equal access to improved benefits and are dealt with fairly,” she said.
Media Enquiries:
Karen Batt on 0418 55 29 15 or Julian Kennelly on 0417 541 789.
Tuesday 2 February 2010
NEWS 
