Tasmanian Minister for Justice and Workplace Relations, Steven Kons, has released a report conducted by Alan Claytons on the review of the Tasmanian workers' compensation system. The review was initiated to investigate how the workers' compensation system affects seriously injured workers.
Mr Kons has called for comment and feedback on the 19 recommendations made in the report. Some of the recommendations included:
- The introduction of an employer excess rebate to employers who report claims to their insurer within 48 hours. The rebate aims to encourage early reporting;
- Encouragement of medical practitioners to make workplace visits and familiarise themselves with the opportunities for alternative duties and employment. This is to be accommodated in the fee schedules for medical and like services;
- Investigation of appropriate arrangements for providing support to injured workers who have some form of work capacity, including suitable and targeted skill enhancement, training and retraining, as well as the introduction of an alternative employer incentive scheme; and
- Changes to the payment of weekly benefits and lump sum payments.
The report into the review of the Tasmanian Workers Compensation System is available at www.justice.tas.gov.au
Article courtesy of Australian Retailers Association 