Return to Work Scheme

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (15:10): My questions are for the minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, regarding Return to Work.

1. When did ReturnToWorkSA request actuarial advice from Finity regarding the proposed changes to the Return to Work scheme?

2. Has Finity provided formal and final advice regarding the 1.9 per cent premium level resulting from the compromise deal, including new aspects of the legislation?

3. Has Finity provided assurance in the operating sustainability of the scheme, should the proposed changes to the Return to Work schedule come into effect?

4. Does ReturnToWorkSA endorse the government's position that the premiums will not rise beyond 1.9 per cent?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Attorney-General, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:11): I thank the honourable member for her question. These are very similar to questions the honourable member asked previously. Again, I think the final question was about giving guarantees for something that is ultimately a board decision, in relation to percentages. I will reiterate what I have said before: the situation that we find ourselves in now is a direct result of the former Liberal government's deliberate policy decision, a deliberate policy decision to do nothing—a deliberate policy decision to do nothing.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! I can't hear the Attorney.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: The Full Court of the Supreme Court dismissed the application in the Summerfield case in March 2021, well over 12 months ago, 12 months before the last election. The former government made a deliberate policy decision to do nothing about it—a deliberate policy decision to do nothing about it. Their policy was a rate rise estimated at 2.2 per cent. That was the former government's policy.

When you take a deliberate decision to do nothing, when you take a deliberate decision to do nothing in policy—their policy was a rate rise of 2.2 per cent. A rate rise of 2.2 per cent was their deliberate policy. The estimate of the average premium rate for the changes that are being proposed now is 1.9 per cent. That's the difference between what the former government and anyone who sat around the cabinet table of the former government decided, a difference of 2.2 per cent and the estimated rate of 1.9 per cent.

The PRESIDENT: Supplementary question, the Hon. Ms Girolamo.