Graham Perrett (Moreton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

That is right. I have never seen a bigger misnomer. Nevertheless, it was not mentioned at all. This bill has no sound policy justification whatsoever. In fact, it undermines all the existing workers compensation schemes in Australia, including the one in Victoria which, under former Premier Jeff Kennett, had moved towards the Commonwealth scheme.

This is an ill-conceived bill that ignores the founding principles of Australian workers compensation schemes and why they were established in the first place. It is more about ideology rather than about producing something productive for workplaces. It is the Liberal government, once again, looking to aid small savings for big companies, while injured workers and their families will bear inestimable financial and emotional costs and hardship by being excluded from workers compensation schemes, particularly as the pension age goes up to 70, where in these industries like construction and mining it is so much harder for people to do their job right up to age 70. It is different if you are sitting at an office desk or perhaps a teacher.

For example, the bill proposes the re-introduction of an exclusion from eligibility for compensation during recess breaks, which could be that of simply leaving the worksite to go and get some food. These construction sites can often be in an area where there is no food available at all. Many workers use breaks to complete employer business and to carry out extra duties.

This amending legislation would assist unethical employers to avoid their responsibilities. If not for their employment, the worker would not be taking the break in that location and would not be exposed to the risk.

There would be no organised sports events and other team-building activities because workers would not be covered if they were injured during these activities. In 1985 the Commonwealth government legislated for the formation of the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission, which has gone on to do great work. The history behind this legislation should be looked at by those opposite. As a Queenslander I would especially say that this legislation does not apply. Queensland has set the standards in terms of looking after workers when they are injured. We are doing it at a low cost to employers, compared to other states and territories, and we are able to cover a range of workers in a range of activities. The Comcare scheme that is being proposed would allow for unethical employers to do the wrong thing by their employees. And, as I said in the example I gave at the start of my speech, this is a scheme designed for workers in safe environments, not in those risky environments.

See this speech in context