Mark Latham looms large as NSW workers compensation reform inquiry resumes
The second hearing into Labor's controversial workers compensation reforms will get underway on Tuesday morning, after the Bill was sent back for a further inquiry by the NSW upper house earlier this year.
The state government says the reforms are integral to ensuring the workers compensation scheme is financially viable and will protect workers, while opponents claim it will abandon the most vulnerable.
The hearing comes as independent MLC Mark Latham, who is a member of the committee and helped refer it, faces a series of bruising scandals, including allegations he abused his former partner.
Mr Latham has repeatedly denied the allegations, which are untested and part of an application for a private apprehended violence order (AVO) filed by his ex-partner, Nathalie Matthews, with the local court.
Mr Latham has not been charged with any criminal offence.
The Liberals have accused the state government of attempting to 'discredit' amendments to Labor's reforms, put forward by Mr Latham and the opposition, 'on the basis that Mr Latham's name is attached to them'.
Shadow treasurer Damien Tudehope condemned Mr Latham's behaviour but noted the amendments were put forward before the allegations were made and defended talks with Mr Latham on the amendments.
'Mark Latham is an elected member of parliament,' he said.
'The dynamic of the manner in which the upper house operates is that I've got to deal with all people in the upper house, notwithstanding that they do and say things that I don't agree with and would never endorse.
'But, at the same time, I need to, in fact, occupy my position as the leader of the Opposition in the upper house and achieve outcomes which I think deliver better results for legislation throughout.'
Mr Tudehope said Mr Latham had 'tainted the whole of this process by what has occurred in relation to a whole lot of other issues', in regard to the proposed amendments.
Greens MLC Abigail Boyd told the ABC the party had not made 'agreements or amendments with Mr Latham of any kind', and criticised Premier Chris Minns for singling out Mr Latham's role in the amendments.
'It's really telling that the moment that these particular revelations came out, the first thing they (Labor) did was call on the Coalition and the Greens to no longer 'work with Mark Latham on a particular bill',' she said.
Ms Boyd told ABC 702 host Hamish McDonald that Mr Latham had been 'very unfairly attacking' her for a long time, and that assertions that she was now working with the former Labor leader was 'very offensive'.
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey has so far rejected the proposed amendments, telling reporters on Friday modelling from iCare of some of the proposed amendments would 'punish workers' and increase premiums.
'My message is clear to the Liberal Party: side with small business, side with victims of sexual harassment. Don't side with Mark Latham,' he said.
The modelling reportedly found the preposed amendments put the burden on victims of sexual and racial harassment, as well as bullying, by requiring that they prove the perpetrator intended to harm them.
Mr Tudehope said their own modelling showed the amendments would achieve savings 'marginally less' than those the government claims it will deliver.
The government said the proposed legislation will address a 'lack of focus on preventing psychological injury' at work, adding: 'Just 50 per cent of workers with psychological claims are back at work within a year. For physical injuries, the rate is 95 per cent.'
The hearing will get underway on Tuesday morning.
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