WORKCOVER CORPORATION

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (15:21): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Leader of the Government a question on WorkCover.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: Each year in about late May or early June, the WorkCover Corporation receives the results of market research into primarily injured workers, but also employers, about their views on the performance and satisfaction levels with WorkCover and its sole provider, claims agent EML, and a variety of other things.

As I said, in about late May or early June, these research reports—the executive summary and the final report—are provided to the WorkCover Board. Over the last three years, the injured workers' satisfaction levels with the claims manager have declined significantly from 6.6—on a scale of 10—to 6.2, to 6.1. There have been similar concerns regarding perceptions in relation to WorkCover's performance. The Statutory Authorities Review Committee recommended that the executive summary of these surveys should continue to be published on the WorkCover website and, on request, a full report should be supplied.

Last week, we contacted WorkCover—we are almost into July now—and it indicated that the reports were not available and it was expected that they would be available at some stage in July. Has the minister been briefed by WorkCover on the results of the latest market research in relation to the views of injured workers on WorkCover and the claims manager and, if so, does it show a further decline in satisfaction levels from injured workers? Further, will the minister indicate on what date in 2007, 2008 and 2009 the executive summary of this research was published on the WorkCover website?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister Assisting the Premier in Public Sector Management) (15:23): Obviously, in relation to the latter question, I will have to go back and get that information, and I will undertake to do so. I have not had any detailed briefing or briefing with any significant level of detail. I am aware that surveys are due, but I have not had any briefing on the details. Again, I will take that and the other part of the question on notice and bring back a response.