00:00 On the lookout for trouble on workers' compensation reform, the Premier has issued this big threat.
00:08 We will need to look at what other changes will need to be made and that includes looking
00:11 at premiums.
00:12 Labor has already hit businesses with higher work cover premiums to cover a billion dollar
00:16 blowout caused by a surge in mental health claims and workers taking longer to recover.
00:22 The Premier says the system is...
00:23 Fundamentally broken.
00:25 It needs to change, there's no question about that.
00:28 But Labor doesn't have the votes in Parliament to do that.
00:31 This bill is half-baked and we have serious concerns about the bill.
00:35 It's not a serious effort to make work cover sustainable in the longer term.
00:41 The Coalition wants a shotgun inquiry to ensure any reforms will actually solve the problem.
00:46 This bill as it's presently drafted will not fix work cover's problems.
00:50 Labor's promised overhaul would set a higher bar for injured workers to get compensation.
00:55 Over-stress and overwork will not be part of that scheme anymore.
00:59 That's raised the ire of unions and the Greens.
01:02 This government needs to go back to the drawing board.
01:03 It needs to do a proper job of reforming work cover.
01:07 Taking more time to examine what's in that bill and the effect on workers can only be
01:11 a good thing.
01:12 What we're looking for is innovative solutions.
01:14 This is the second time since Jacinta Allen took over that Labor's failed to win enough
01:18 votes in the upper house.
01:20 And there's a delicate political path from here.
01:23 Any further increases to premiums will be a political disaster for whoever shoulders
01:28 the blame.
01:29 The government and opposition should not be looking at business as the cash card to pay
01:33 for work cover.
01:35 It needs reform.
01:36 That's something we'll all agree on.
01:38 [BLANK_AUDIO]
Comments