WORKCOVER UNFUNDED LIABILITY, PUBLIC SECTOR

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (16:23): My question is to the Minister for Industrial Relations. What has caused the public sector workers compensation unfunded liability to blow out to $400 million, resulting in the total taxpayer exposure for workers compensation to reach at least $1.3 billion? On 12 March, the chairman of the government's Economic Development Board stated that the public sector workers compensation unfunded liability has now reached $400 million. This unfunded liability is in addition to the $844 million unfunded liability of WorkCover that is documented in its 2006-07 annual report.

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee—Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Finance, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (16:24): When the member refers to an unfunded liability he does not have the correct terminology, because the government pays its debts as it is going along. In regard to why the figures are getting worse, I can get a definitive position, but it would be similar to WorkCover in that the return to work—getting people back to work—is a priority which has to be improved upon.