WORKCOVER LEVY

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (15:01): My question is to the Premier. Will the government rule out increasing the WorkCover levy rate? The government promised publicly in June, when arguing the case for legislation to cut workers' entitlements, that it would deliver a cut in the average levy rate from 2.75 per cent to 2.25 per cent. Employer levy revenue has increased by over $47 million in the past 18 months.

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (15:02): The levy rate, as I understand it, is ultimately the decision of the board of WorkCover. The point that I would make—

Dr McFetridge interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: I understand that when you were in government you ignored some of the recommendations made by the board in relation to, amongst other things, the levy rate. Be that as it may, that is the way in which the opposition operated when it was in government. I make the point that we have made legislative change. We expect that legislative change to have some impact on a host of matters on which the WorkCover Corporation operates. I reinforce the point that I hope the opposition is right behind our achieving a system that has as its focus the welfare and wellbeing of workers by returning them to meaningful work.