COMPARISON OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS

OTHER SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS

SEACARE

There are several Bills currently before Parliament that could have a consequential effect on the legislation

administered by the Seacare Authority.  These include:

Crimes Code (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2000

Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2001

Administrative Review Tribunal Bill 2000

Maritime Legislation Amendment Bill 2000

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Review of the Western Australian workers' compensation system 

In May 2001, the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Commission seconded Mr Robert Guthrie to provide

advice to the Government on the implementation of the Labor Party's Pre election Direction Statement and the

previous reviews into insurance arrangements and medical and associated costs.  The Report on the Implementation

of the Labor Party Direction Statement on Workers' Compensation was released 31 July 2001 and public comment

sought by Government.  A position paper was released by the Government in October 2002 that outlined a number of

reform proposals.  Further consultation with key stakeholders regarding technical issues will occur prior to the

introduction of a reform package to Parliament.

Review of statutory authorities

As a result of the Government's review of statutory authorities, a review of the Workers' Compensation and

Rehabilitation Commission and other bodies established under the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act

1981 and the Employers' Indemnity Supplementation Fund Act 1980 was undertaken.  The terms of reference for the

review are to consider the appropriateness of recommendations from previous reviews and to advise Government on

the most appropriate structure to achieve effective administration of the Western Australian workers' compensation

system. 

NORTHERN TERRITORY

With the introduction of a new federal taxation system on 1 July 2000, the new Pay as You Go (PAYG) taxation

arrangements replaced eleven existing systems, including the PAYE tax system. This change made the Northern

Territory's pre 1 July worker definition defunct.

From 1 July, the new definition, for workers' compensation purposes, provides that a worker is a person who

provides work or service for another person and does not provide that other person with an Australian Business

Number (ABN) in writing.

The new definition is designed to ensure coverage that is as close as practicable to that of the previous definition, yet

remains clear and concise. The new definition no longer has any relationship to the type of taxation paid.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Review of workers' compensation and OHS

In June 2002, the South Australian Minister for Industrial Relations announced a review of workers' compensation

and occupational safety and health arrangements.   An issues paper was published that identified areas upon which

the Government was seeking views, and stakeholders were encouraged to raise related issues.   The established

review team is required to submit its report to the Minister by 20th December 2002.

VICTORIA

Inclusion of overtime in the calculation of compensation payments

The policy regarding the interpretation of Section 5A(1A) of the Accident Compensation Act 1985, as it relates to the

Heads of Workers' Compensation Authorities  54