Return to Work Scheme

The Hon. C. BONAROS (14:48): Supplementary: I will ask the question again. Does the government's revised position on the Return to Work scheme undermine the SAET decision—the one you have just referred to and the one that you used to back your support for that private member's bill introduced in here last year?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Attorney-General, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:48): I will endeavour to answer without breaching standing order 187 in relation to—

The PRESIDENT: Referring to the bill.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: —legislation that is before us, sir. Certainly, on the advice the government has, the Return to Work scheme, as I have outlined, is $1 billion in deficit now as a result of that court decision and is facing $100 million extra costs per year. The scheme as it currently stands is not sustainable and that is not good for anyone, including injured workers.