Department of Human Services

Mr TELFER (Flinders) (15:02): My question is the Minister for Human Services. Is the minister taking action to reduce the agency's future liabilities and to support employees with returning to work and, if so, what? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr TELFER: The Auditor-General reported in the agency statement for DHS that the workers compensation provision had increased by $11.7 million to $60.6 million in 2022-23 due to a higher number of claims and estimated claim value for injured workers.

The Hon. N.F. COOK (Hurtle Vale—Minister for Human Services) (15:03): Thanks very much for the question. I certainly have got some information regarding the Auditor-General's commentary. Certainly, we are making every effort we can to ensure that our workers are working in a safe working environment that has the highest degree of expectation around that. I think it's probably best that I take that question on notice and come back with a more specific answer, because it's a very important question.