WorkCover

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (14:33): The Attorney-General just mentioned the cost of $90 million to the WorkCover scheme. Isn't it true that the $90 million cost is not a cost to the WorkCover scheme but a cost to the self-funding arrangements of the government agencies?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Minister for Industrial Relations) (14:33): Yes, cost to government.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.R. RAU: No, quite right.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.R. RAU: No, the member for Davenport makes a good point. The terminology I used was incorrect. Yes, it is to the government. Let me put it another way. Another way of putting it is that, last year, those opposite wanted to add either $90 million in additional taxes or have $90 million taken out of our budget for police, schools and hospitals in order to support an unfunded amendment to the WorkCover scheme. Yes, that is true.