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Removal of Victorian WorkCover funds threatens injured workers - ALA
10th Feb 2012
The Australian Lawyers Alliance is concerned that a Victorian government plan to redirect $471.5 million in WorkCover funds away from injured worker compensation and occupational health and safety will result in more injured workers in Victoria being left without adequate care and support.
“It is very concerning that money raised specifically to compensate injured workers and promote occupational health and safety is being reallocated by government for other purposes,” Australian Lawyers Alliance Victorian President, Emily Anderson said.
“Shifting funding away could jeopardise the financial viability of the Victorian WorkCover scheme and ultimately injured workers will suffer the consequences,” Ms Anderson said.
“Many injured workers already suffer financial hardship due to the limits on income support and access to common law damages under the Accident Compensation Act. The Government has foreshadowed a rewrite of the Act and we fear that this may give rise to further cuts to workers compensation in Victoria, particularly if funding of the scheme is reduced”.
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