ReturnToWorkSA Inspiring Excellence Awards 2025

The Hon. R.B. MARTIN (15:04): My question is to the Deputy Premier and Minister for Industrial Relations. Will the minister please inform the council about the ReturnToWorkSA Inspiring Excellence Awards?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Deputy Premier, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (15:04): I thank the honourable member for his question, and note his dedication to the safety of workers, and his longstanding and lifelong commitment to workers' safety in his roles in this place, and previously being a unionist, which I think is a very noble thing to do.

As members would be aware, the Return to Work scheme provides vital support to workers who are injured in their employment in South Australia. The role of claims managers is an under-recognised part of our workers compensation scheme, but the system could not operate effectively without the individual support to workers in their attempts to recover from their injuries, and return to their jobs and their communities. Being away from work due to an injury can be mentally and emotionally challenging, and leave workers feeling isolated, uncertain, and overwhelmed. At their best, claims managers can help people navigate a complex system, overcome personal and professional challenges and find their way back to work.

I was pleased to attend the ReturnToWorkSA Inspiring Excellence Awards last month. The Inspiring Excellence Awards provide an opportunity to recognise excellence, innovation, leadership and collaboration amongst the staff of ReturnToWorkSA's claims agents EML and Gallagher Bassett. Those claims managers play a vital role in helping workers recover and rebuild their lives after injuries that often have a significant impact. They deal with workers who are often at their most vulnerable moments, and it's important they have access to professional support that treats them with dignity and respect.

The awards provide an opportunity to recognise that contribution, as well as the innovations and improvements that have been developed in recent years. This includes programs that are better tailored to the real-world demands of industries like transport and logistics, as well as improved services in remote areas of the state. The awards included the following categories:

Excellence in the Delivery of Mobile Claims Management: awarded to Gabriel Burden at Gallagher Bassett;

Excellence in the Delivery of Support to Seriously Injured Workers: awarded to Tracy Polglase at EML;

Excellence in the Application of Technical Expertise in Claims Management: awarded to Jenny Haughey at EML;

Excellence in the Field of Eligibility: awarded to Cassandra Martin at Gallagher Bassett;

Excellence in the Field of Customer Service: awarded to Gerry Howley, customer care liaison at EML;

Excellence in Innovation Claims and/or Injury Management: awarded to Brenden Bishop, a return to work specialist.

Rising Star: awarded to Ethan Whittaker at Gallagher Bassett;

Excellence in Leadership: awarded to Brendan Gloyn at Gallagher Bassett; and

Outstanding Overall Contribution to the Return To Work Scheme: awarded to Gemma Todd at EML.

I congratulate all the award winners and thank them for their contribution to the operation of our workers compensation scheme, and for helping injured workers recover from their injuries.