‘Are your promises worth anything?': Fiery clash in NSW parliament over controversial workers comp reform

West Australian

5 days ago

NSW's workplace tsar has been accused of breaking a promise over workers compensation reforms in a furious clash in parliament.
A revised proposal to reform workers compensation, specifically psychological injuries claims, was tabled last week by Industrial Relations Minister Sophie Cotsis.
Ms Cotsis said the compensation plan sought to instil a 'culture of prevention' in the scheme, and give clarity to employers on their rights and responsibilities.
Detractors argue the changes would lock many out of receiving damages – namely a new 30 per cent threshold for permanent impairment due to psychological injury.
While the Opposition is yet to formally announce its position on the bill, Liberal leader Mark Speakman questioned Ms Cotsis on Tuesday morning over the threshold.
Mr Speakman claimed during question time that Ms Cotsis had pledged to remove the provision – known as Section 39 – altogether prior to the 2023 state election.
'Are your promises worth anything?' Mr Speakman asked, sparking shouting across the chamber.
In the fiery exchange that ensued, Ms Cotsis shot back that she was 'more of a worker's friend than the Leader of the Opposition (is)'.
'Where were you when people died under your watch?,' Ms Cotsis said, referencing the former Coalition government.
'Where were you when review after review came out and said that you needed to fix work health and safety? You were nowhere.'
Police Minister Yasmin Catley, Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison, and Building Minister Anoulack Chanthivong were all also grilled over their position on Section 39.
'I'm delighted to always get a question about workers in this place,' Mr Chanthivong said.
'Because there's only one party in this parliament to speak when it comes to workers – its actually us'.
The planned reforms have stirred controversy since they were first introduced earlier this year, with support from some of the businesses community.
The state's unions, including the NSW Teachers Federation, Unions NSW, and the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, have instead opposed the bill.
Their members rallied outside parliament earlier this month, calling on the government to reconsider the plan and to engage with the unions.
In tabling the bill last month, Ms Cotsis noted amendments had been made since its first iteration and that a tripartite review committee would be established, including Unions NSW.
The bill also seeks to address the NSW government's bottom-line, with Treasurer Daniel Moohkey ruling out any further payments to the state's self-insurer.
Business leaders told a parliamentary inquiry into the bill earlier this year that insurance premiums to businesses and charities had seen their premiums increase.
Treasury modelling released by the Daily Telegraph on Tuesday warned business and not-for-profits may be forced to fork out an extra $1bn per year if reforms aren't made.
A separate bill seeking to amend workplace health and safety legislation was also tabled in NSW parliament.