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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-04-07 Daily Xml
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WORKCOVER CORPORATION

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (15:15): My question is to the Minister for Industrial Relations. What is the impact of high WorkCover levies on jobs in local industries? According to the most recent national comparison of compensation schemes conducted by the Australian Safety and Compensation Council, South Australian employers pay the highest average workers compensation levy of any state or territory. The same document reveals that levy rates in iron and steel production businesses at 7.5 per cent were double the national industry average, and in the key construction industry our levy rates were higher than every mainland state or territory, except New South Wales.

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development) (15:16): There is no doubt, and it is well-known information, that we have a levy rate here in South Australia that, when compared to those on the eastern seaboard, is higher than we would like it to be. I think that is a view shared by not only the honourable member's core constituency but also most people involved with WorkCover.

Last week, a decision was made by the board for the status quo to prevail with respect to that levy rate. I believe that was a prudent and appropriate decision at this point in time, given the economic climate in which we find ourselves. Earlier I spoke in response to a question by the leader, and certainly we believe the legislative change adopted by this parliament last year, yet to be fully implemented, will have a positive impact on all aspects of WorkCover's operations, not the least being the levy rate going into the future.

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