Question Time

Return to Work Scheme

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (14:33): My question is to the minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector regarding Return to Work. What consultation has the government undertaken with the business community outside of Business SA?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Attorney-General, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:33): I thank the honourable member for her question. The government regularly undertakes consultation with the business community over a whole range of issues, over many, many issues that affect many, many areas of government and policy. In relation to changes to the Return to Work system, and in relation to a number of different possibilities of reform to Return to Work, I know a number of industry bodies in particular were consulted along the way.

I want to put on the record the reason why we are where we are with time frames that aren't great in relation to looking at the Return to Work system. It is the result of the deliberate decisions made by the former Liberal government—deliberate decisions made by the former Liberal government. The Summerfield decision was first handed down—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: —in May 2019.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: An appeal was dismissed by the Full Bench of the South Australian Employment Tribunal in June 2020.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: An appeal of the Full Court of the Supreme Court was dismissed in March 2021.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: The former government deliberately made a policy decision that the average premium would go to 2.2 per cent by virtue of deciding to do nothing.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!