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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2007-10-24 Daily Xml
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WORKCOVER CORPORATION

Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop) (15:15): My question is to the Minister for Industrial Relations. When can South Australian businesses expect to be able to compete with interstate businesses on a level playing field? Businesses in New South Wales have been given a $110 million tax break today after their workers compensation levies were reduced by a further 5 per cent. The reduction follows the New South Wales WorkCover scheme increasing its surplus to $812 million. That compares to South Australia's scheme having the worst return to work rates in the country, a $149 million loss last financial year and an unfunded liability of a whopping $843 million.

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee—Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Finance, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:16): I have already announced to the house that we are undertaking a review of workers compensation. That is due to report to the government on 30 November. We look forward to the findings of that report. Amongst other things, Mr Clayton is looking at other jurisdictions. The member referred to New South Wales. Victoria also in recent years has done very well in reducing its unfunded liability. It needs to be remembered that both New South Wales and Victoria, although doing well now, have come from high levels of unfunded liability. I think I said when I announced the review that we look forward to the opportunity of having—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT: We look forward to the opportunity of having a competitive—

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member for MacKillop. The member for MacKillop is warned.

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT: —environment which will allow an independent board to bring down the average levy rate but, of course, it will be their decision unlike what happened under the former Liberal government.

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