Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Senator Lambie. You're right that under Minister Burke, my predecessor in this role, a review of Comcare was commenced, and you're right that it is a very long time since Comcare has been reviewed—back to 2012-13—and in fact it hasn't been subject to any major reforms since it started back in 1988. You've mentioned the fact that Comcare insures many thousands of employees across a range of different industries, not just in the public sector, and we did think it was high time that this scheme be reviewed.

Thank you for acknowledging that there is a consultation process underway. I'm not aware of exactly what process was adopted in advertising the ability for people to participate. My understanding was that the intention was to consult as widely as possible, and if that hasn't occurred then I'm certainly happy to take steps to widen the opportunity for people to be involved in this. We do want this to be a very inclusive review, because we know that there are many people in the community who have an interest in a well-functioning workers compensation insurer. Of course, the workers who are covered under this scheme have a right to be involved in it. The employers who pay premiums have a right to have their views heard as well, so that is certainly the intention behind this scheme.

I might just mention that I think we have managed to assemble a very high-quality panel of three highly qualified people to conduct this review. I have full confidence in the work that they are doing, but, as I say, if there's more we can do to widen the number of people who participate in the review and have the opportunity to have their say, I'll certainly take those steps. Senator Lambie, if there are particular individuals who you understand have not had that opportunity and you'd like to raise that, I'm happy to have a chat with you about that as well.