Latest news with #MinnsGovernment
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
NSW Coalition and unions unlikely allies against Labor's ‘nasty laws' to curtail workers' compensation claims
The New South Wales opposition and the union movement have become unlikely allies in opposing the central plank of the Minns government's 'nasty laws' to curtail workers' compensation claims for psychological injuries. The opposition leader, Mark Speakman, said on Tuesday he would be pushing for the status quo of 15% impairment as the level of injury that would trigger compensation. He wants amendments or a parliamentary inquiry. The government wants to lift the threshold to 30%, a move which has been widely condemned by unions and legal and medical experts, who say it would make it virtually impossible to receive compensation for psychological injury. 'The opposition will support the bill, but with sensible amendments, we want a scheme that is sustainable, that is fair to workers, fair to business, but does not unduly punish the most severely injured workers, which is what the Minns Labor government is doing,' Speakman said. The crossbench also has serious concerns about the legislation in its current form, making its path through parliament uncertain. Speakman said while he supported the push for lower premiums for NSW businesses, he argued changes had to be made on the basis of sound modelling and information. He denied there was urgency because he said the 2025-26 premiums had already been set. The government introduced its controversial changes to the state's workers' compensation scheme in a bill this week, arguing that unless claims for psychological injuries were reined in premiums for business would rise by 36% and the scheme would falter. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Since the Covid-19 pandemic there had been a sharp rise in claims for psychological injuries attributable to repeated exposure to trauma, bullying, harassment and excessive work loads. The opposition's stance was welcomed by the Unions NSW secretary, Mark Morey, who said 'the proposal that Labor's putting up is just going to wipe out any mental health support for workers'. Morey told Guardian Australia that 'a worker at the 15% threshold can't go to work, finds it difficult to go outside, has to be reminded about their personal hygiene, and that they've got to care for their kids'. 'We've seen very few people over 30% [impairment]. There are some cases, but very few that we've been told, and the vast bulk of cases have been between 15 and 20%,' he said. The result of Labor's bill would be a lack of support for workers who would be pushed on to welfare payments and the mental health system, he said. The shadow treasurer, Damien Tudehope, said an earlier inquiry had been told that only 27 cases had recorded impairment of 30%. The opposition health spokesperson, Kellie Sloane, said the changes would disproportionately affect nurses and health workers. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'What Labor is saying to nurses is you're on your own if you are injured in their workplace,' she said. 'These are bad laws, they are mean and they are nasty,' she said. Morey said he had pushed the government to start with a major effort on prevention such as managing exposure to trauma, bullying, harassment and excessive work demands, then look at the compensation scheme. In response to the rising tide of criticism, the government has in recent days made changes to the process for claiming injury by introducing a fast track for injuries resulting from bullying and harassment with more limited payouts. The government will either need to negotiate more changes or agree to send it to another parliamentary committee, with many of the crossbench already indicating their concerns. In question time, the opposition targeted government ministers who had previously spoken out about attempts to cut payouts under the scheme, quoting their criticisms of cuts back at them. The government has said it needs to make these changes to keep the workers' compensation scheme sustainable. About 95% of people who claim physical injuries are back at work within one year. However, less than 50% with psychological injuries return within a year, which the government says puts a huge burden on the scheme. In NSW the scheme offers lifetime support. The government will also need to disclose the impact of rising psychological claims for its own employees – nurses, teachers, paramedics police and public servants – in the state budget on 24 June. In Australia, support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, and at MensLine on 1300 789 978. In the UK, the charity Mind is available on 0300 123 3393 and Childline on 0800 1111. In the US, call or text Mental Health America at 988 or chat
ABC News
27-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
NSW chief justice releases rare statement of growing number of people on remand
The NSW chief justice has sounded the alarm about the soaring number of people in the state being held on remand. In a rare public statement, Chief Justice Andrew Bell also sought to defend judges' bail decisions amid media scrutiny, saying the court system does its best to balance risk to the community and the interests of those accused. Chief Justice Bell pointed to the latest Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) figures that show there were 5,732 people on remand awaiting trial. "This figure has increased from 5,452 as at 30 March 2024 and from 4,778 five years earlier, that is to say, an increase of approximately 20 per cent over five years," he said. In June last year, the Minns government tightened bail laws for domestic violence offenders after a string of high-profile killings of women by men known to them, meaning those accused of serious domestic violence charges now have to demonstrate why they should be given bail before it is granted. The government also made it harder for young offenders to get bail. The chief justice said the presumption of innocence was a "fundamental plank in our system of justice", and the denial of bail left innocent people at risk of being kept behind bars for "a considerable period of time". "It is not possible to ensure that an accused person held in prison on remand will receive a quick trial, despite the best efforts of all concerned," he wrote. "A person charged with a serious offence may have to wait up to three years before their trial comes on for hearing." He said keeping an accused person behind bars was costly for taxpayers, with an annual average cost in 2024 of over $105,000 per person to keep a person in custody, totalling almost $600 million per year spent on prisoners held on remand. Chief Justice Bell said there was also a hefty human toll. "It also carries an irremediable cost to the not insignificant number of accused person held on remand but not subsequently convicted, or if sentenced for a shorter period than he or she has been held on remand," he said. Chief Justice Bell said the Bail Act strives to deal with the "difficult issue" of what to do with those who have been charged but not convicted of an offence. He said while over time it has "significantly restricted the circumstances in which bail may be granted" it does not "mandate the refusal of bail for any person". Supreme Court justices dealt with over 3,100 bail applications last year, while magistrates in the local court system determined almost 40,000 bail applications. The chief justice said while the act allows courts to impose "stringent conditions", he acknowledged there was no "absolute guarantee that the person granted bail will not offend whilst on bail". "To do so involves a profound misunderstanding of the nature of the difficult and complex risk assessment which judges are required to make when hearing and determining bail applications. "While judges' decisions are not immune from criticism, media reporting of decisions to grant bail is sometimes not informed by a full understanding or proper appreciation of the evidence before the court on the bail application." He concludes his piece with predecessor Tom Bathurst KC's 2012 quote: "There are a few people as much in touch with the realities faced by victims, accused and convicted as are the judges of the criminal courts. They are in the thick of it every single day". "That remains the case today," Chief Justice Bell said.
News.com.au
27-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
‘We have listened': Revised workers compensation reform in NSW passes milestone, challenges remain
Controversial reforms to workers compensation in NSW which brought unions to the steps of Parliament House have passed the first major milestone. A revised version of the proposed plan to reform workers compensation was introduced to parliament on Tuesday by Industrial Relations Minister Sophie Cotsis. The initial proposal faced fierce backlash when it was unveiled earlier this month from unions and industry groups who slammed many of its provisions, including a 31 per cent threshold for damages for permanent impairment from psychological injury. A requirement that someone seeking damages from psychological injury due to sexual or racial harassment or bullying require a court or tribunal finding was removed. The Minns state government hopes the proposal will instil a 'culture of prevention' in the workers compensation scheme, while also securing it financially for years to come. Treasurer Daniel Moohkey told an inquiry into the proposal earlier this month he would no longer be authorising payments to the Treasury managed Fund, the state's self-insurer, into which billions of dollars had been poured by successive governments. Introducing the Bill, Ms Cotsis said that until now 'psychological injury has been left largely undefined in the Workers Compensation Act'. 'The Bill introduces new definitions for psychological injuries to make sure workers and employers have certainty on what the scheme protects,' she said. 'Clear definitions will mean less time spent on disputes and more time on prevention.' Ms Cotsis revealed the government would establish a tripartite review – which had been pushed for by Unions NSW – to review and monitor the changes and 'to help guard against unintended consequences'. 'The review will be run by a panel of experts, with at least one expert recommended from Unions NSW, Business NSW and the NSW government,' who will also determine its terms of reference, Ms Cotsis said. Ms Cotsis outlined the changes to the Bill parliament on Tuesday. 'The relevant event that caused the injury must have a real and direct connection with employment,' she said. 'Real and direct connection does not necessarily mean the relevant event has to occur in the physical workplace. 'New evidentiary requirements will support insurers to make objective and timely decisions in relation to claims. 'Relevant events include, but are not limited to, bullying, sexual harassment and indictable criminal conduct, including threats of violence and assault.' Ms Cotsis said the intent was to target workers compensation toward events and behaviours, and preserved 'in no uncertain times' compensation for PTSD caused by trauma or exposure to traumatic events. She defended the 'objective test' for bullying, excessive work demands, and racial or sexual harassment claims as 'reducing the reliance on the worker's perception', and said the Bill would provide employers with certainty around what is acceptable in the workplace. 'Interpersonal conflict and work stress are typical and reasonably expected to occur on almost a daily basis in all modern workplace,' she said. 'In contrast, bullying, excessive work demands, racial harassment or sexual harassment unacceptable in any workplace and should never be expected. 'The Bill amends the employer defences to psychological injury claims that were the result of reasonable management action.' Psychological claims for bullying or harassment would also be expedited under the Bill, including if there is a dispute to the claim. Addressing concerns about the 31 per cent WPI threshold, Ms Cotsis said 'we are listening' and that there would be a 'stepped transition'. The Bill will not apply to coal miners or frontline service workers, including police and paramedics, save for a few of the amendments. Unions pushback against workers compensation reform Unions NSW and a range of other unions, including the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association and the NSW Teachers Federation, rallied outside of parliament on Monday morning in opposition to the reforms, which they said was being rushed through. Industry groups, including in the legal and sports physiotherapy sectors, as well as activist groups have also voiced opposition to the Bill, with Australians for Mental Health on Tuesday pleading with the government to 'slow down' the proposed reforms. 'We welcome the revisions the government has made. It shows our policymakers are listening, but still requiring someone to be so unwell that they can barely function before receiving the long-term support they need is alarming,' chief executive Chris Gambian said. 'We agree the current workers compensation system is unsustainable, but overhauling it so quickly could take away vital support for the likes of first responders, teachers, nurses and social workers; people who are exposed to traumatic experiences every day.' At the same time, the NSW government will also propose sweeping changes to workplace health and safety. Among the proposed changes are plans to empower the NSW Industrial Relations Commission to issue 'stop-bullying' orders as well as the Tribunal's ability to resolve industrial disputes, give new powers and manpower to SafeWork NSW – in particular, around compliance – and codify workplace accountability and codes of practise. The changes come after an $344m package from the state government and were welcomed by Ms Cotsis as a way to 'further strength the Industrial Relations Commission's ability to resolve disputes and to now resolve issues arising from Work Health and Safety legislation. 'It proposes major reform particularly around gender equality. The elimination of workplace bullying and sexual harassment are new key objectives of the IR Act. 'Workplace bullying causes serious harm to worker health and organisations. According to the Productivity Commission, bullying is estimated to cost up to $36bn annually in Australia. 'The amendments establish a 'one-stop shop' for handling complaints through the IRC and enhance its powers to resolve disputes and support injured workers' return to work. 'This legislation follows the passing of laws in 2023 which restored the independent industrial umpire, creating the structure needed to deliver meaningful improvements to the working lives of hundreds and thousands of workers in the state.'
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Huge reforms to ADHD treatment
Treatment for people living with ADHD – one of the most prevalent mental disorders in Australia – will become cheaper and more accessible under major reforms made by the NSW Government. The Minns Government has announced reforms to the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – a chronic condition including attention difficulty, hyperactivity and impulsiveness – which expands who is permitted to diagnose, manage and dispense ongoing prescriptions. Currently, people seeking treatment for ADHD must see a specialist, which can be expensive and involve long wait times of months or years. For many Australians, these barriers mean that treatment will not be accessed at all. The reforms announced on Monday will allow GPs to become accredited to diagnose and initiate medication, after completing additional training and education. There are two tiers of accredited training or registration, with each providing differing levels of capacity to diagnose, treat, prescribe or manage ADHD. Up to 1000 general practitioners will be supported to complete additional training to allow continuation prescriptions once a patient has been stabilised without the need of a formal arrangement. Currently, GPs can only get approval to prescribe stimulant medications under specific conditions. The additional training will be funded by NSW Health. With the number of Australians prescribed ADHD medication growing by almost 300 per cent in a decade, rising to 470,000 people in 2022-2023, the changes are expected to make a significant impact. These reforms will be rolled out in a staged approach, with an initial focus on prescriptions for children as delays in treatment for this cohort can be detrimental to academic progress, employment and mental health. Premier Chris Minns said he hopes that by removing 'red tape', these reforms will 'break the cycle' of delays plaguing ADHD treatment in the mental health system. 'By safely training more GPs to treat and diagnose ADHD, we are hoping to break the cycle of people having to wait years for, what can be, a life-altering diagnosis,' he said. 'Not getting diagnosed can have a particularly big impact on a child getting the most out of their life, whether that's academically or socially. 'These reforms help tilt the scales in favour of fairness – reducing the cost of getting treatment by hundreds of dollars, removing red tape for thousands of families and young people, and giving people the support they need to live happier, healthier lives.' RACGP Chairperson Dr Rebekah Hoffman said she has witnessed how challenging acquiring an ADHD diagnosis can be for individuals and families, and welcomes the changes. 'As I travel across New South Wales, I hear from my colleagues about families in rural areas who travel more than seven hours to see a pediatrician, and of families in Sydney spending more than $5,000 on assessments and diagnosis for ADHD,' she said. 'This announcement will have life-changing impacts when it comes to accessing timely and affordable ADHD care for families across the state. 'GPs in many parts of Australia, and around the world, are already diagnosing ADHD and prescribing medications. Our colleagues in Queensland, for example, have been safely prescribing ADHD medications since 2017 ' … In the years ahead, we look forward to working constructively with the Government to go even further and train up more GPs to diagnose and initiate medication so that all families can access the care and treatment they need.' The training will begin in the coming months and GPs are expected to be able to provide ongoing prescriptions to children by early 2026.
News.com.au
25-05-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
State-wide reform to ADHD treatment enabling faster, cheaper diagnoses
Treatment for people living with ADHD – one of the most prevalent mental disorders in Australia – will become cheaper and more accessible under major reforms made by the NSW Government. The Minns Government has announced reforms to the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – a chronic condition including attention difficulty, hyperactivity and impulsiveness – which expands who is permitted to diagnose, manage and dispense ongoing prescriptions. Currently, people seeking treatment for ADHD must see a specialist, which can be expensive and involve long wait times of months or years. For many Australians, these barriers mean that treatment will not be accessed at all. The reforms announced on Monday will allow GPs to become accredited to diagnose and initiate medication, after completing additional training and education. There are two tiers of accredited training or registration, with each providing differing levels of capacity to diagnose, treat, prescribe or manage ADHD. Up to 1000 general practitioners will be supported to complete additional training to allow continuation prescriptions once a patient has been stabilised without the need of a formal arrangement. Currently, GPs can only get approval to prescribe stimulant medications under specific conditions. The additional training will be funded by NSW Health. With the number of Australians prescribed ADHD medication growing by almost 300 per cent in a decade, rising to 470,000 people in 2022-2023, the changes are expected to make a significant impact. These reforms will be rolled out in a staged approach, with an initial focus on prescriptions for children as delays in treatment for this cohort can be detrimental to academic progress, employment and mental health. Premier Chris Minns said he hopes that by removing 'red tape', these reforms will 'break the cycle' of delays plaguing ADHD treatment in the mental health system. 'By safely training more GPs to treat and diagnose ADHD, we are hoping to break the cycle of people having to wait years for, what can be, a life-altering diagnosis,' he said. 'Not getting diagnosed can have a particularly big impact on a child getting the most out of their life, whether that's academically or socially. 'These reforms help tilt the scales in favour of fairness – reducing the cost of getting treatment by hundreds of dollars, removing red tape for thousands of families and young people, and giving people the support they need to live happier, healthier lives.' RACGP Chairperson Dr Rebekah Hoffman said she has witnessed how challenging acquiring an ADHD diagnosis can be for individuals and families, and welcomes the changes. 'As I travel across New South Wales, I hear from my colleagues about families in rural areas who travel more than seven hours to see a pediatrician, and of families in Sydney spending more than $5,000 on assessments and diagnosis for ADHD,' she said. 'This announcement will have life-changing impacts when it comes to accessing timely and affordable ADHD care for families across the state. 'GPs in many parts of Australia, and around the world, are already diagnosing ADHD and prescribing medications. Our colleagues in Queensland, for example, have been safely prescribing ADHD medications since 2017 ' … In the years ahead, we look forward to working constructively with the Government to go even further and train up more GPs to diagnose and initiate medication so that all families can access the care and treatment they need.'
