News
Government response to CTP review fails SA motorists
28th Jun 2019
The government has failed car accident victims in SA by refusing to accept many of the recommendations from the review of the state’s CTP scheme, say lawyers.
“All the recommendations that would have provided better and fairer compensation to victims of car accidents have been rejected by the government,” said Ms Sarah Vinall, SA President of the Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA). “We are extremely disappointed by the government’s response to these independent recommendations.”
In February this year the Social Development Committee of the Parliament of SA tabled its review into the operation of the Motor Vehicle Accidents (Lifetime Support Scheme) Act 2013. The report made 19 recommendations to improve the Scheme, however, the government has rejected eight of these recommendations in their response released yesterday.
“The government seems to assume that because no-one has challenged their compensation in court, the Scheme is working,” said Ms Vinall. “In fact the problem is that the compensation entitlements have been reduced so much it is just not worth the time, cost and risk for victims to pursue their claim all the way to trial.
“Road victims are ‘making do’ with inadequate compensation on offer rather than risking the time and cost of a court case against a large insurance company.
“The current thresholds and restrictions mean that many injured people who have suffered significant injuries resulting in time off work and disruption to their lives do not qualify for compensation for their pain and suffering.
“It is not fair that the victims of car accidents have to suffer through no fault of their own – and are not being adequately compensated.
“In addition, the complexity of the current CTP scheme makes it even more difficult and time-consuming for individuals to navigate,” said Ms Vinall.
The ALA is a national association of lawyers, academics and other professionals dedicated to protecting and promoting justice, freedom and the rights of the individual.
Read the complete government response here.
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