 You will be aware that the South Australian Government has tabled major changes to the SA WorkCover scheme in Parliament. You will also be aware that there is considerable opposition to the much-needed reforms to the scheme. The SA Branch has provided a submission on the reforms to both the Labour and Liberal parties. The submission supports the specific amendments to the legislation that claim to provide the reforms that our industry needs, and recommends additional improvements to further enhance the competitiveness of the scheme.
We have presented our recommendations at a face-to-face meeting with the Liberal Industrial Relations Policy Committee and provided written submissions to Minister Michael Wright.
Our submission recommends that:
To ensure the ongoing competitiveness and growth of the South Australian printing industry, it is imperative that the costs for the South Australian workers’ compensation scheme are reduced, to be consistent with the lowest of other Australian interstate jurisdictions. This will provide the opportunity for the printing industry to compete for business on merit and ability.
Particular attention should be given to:
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Reduction of the industry levy rate,
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Reduction of the employer excess,
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Introduction of a time period for which employees must be provided with suitable duties after returning to work from injury, and
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Returning the scheme to a positive funding ratio without adding additional cost burden to employers
This follows on from our report in February calling for a level playing field for printers in both Taxation and Workers’ Compensation. That report established that the cost impact of the Workers’ Compensation scheme on a South Australian printing business is the highest in Australia, when the combined effect of the levy rate, employer excess and requirement for alternative suitable duties are taken into account.
This directly reduces the competitiveness of the South Australian printing industry in the national market.
In the past few days the Government has finalised the Amendment Bill. A number of changes that will benefit the industry have been included.
Peter Mansfield
General Manager
South Australia and Northern Territory
Download the WorkCover submission here. | 
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