Independent Medical Advisers

The Hon. S.G. WADE (15:35): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Attorney-General regarding the appointment of independent medical advisers under the Return to Work Act.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: Section 118 of the Return to Work Act provides that the minister may appoint a medical practitioner as an independent medical adviser for the purposes of the act. My questions are:

1. Is it the case that the minister has not approved any ophthalmologists or neurologists to be accredited under section 118 of the Return to Work Act?

2. Is it the case that the lack of availability of independent medical advisers is causing the delay in the assessment and compensation of workers?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:36): I thank the honourable member for his question. I will have to check; there are appointments that are made on a very regular basis. Certainly, it hasn't been raised with me that there is a shortage in the area that the minister has referred to, but I am happy to check, if I can get it easily, on the number in those areas that are appointed and whether that has decreased since the Liberal Party was last in government.