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ARTICLE · 06 JANUARY 2009

Comcare Review

DLA Piper Australia
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It’s fair to say that Commonwealth workers’ compensation has largely been in a ‘holding pattern’ this year. Whilst national harmonisation of occupational health and safety (OHS) and workers’ compensation has remained very much on the agenda, there has been a lot of talk but very little action towards bringing about any significant changes.

AustraliaEmployment and HR

It's fair to say that Commonwealth workers' compensation has largely been in a 'holding pattern' this year. Whilst national harmonisation of occupational health and safety (OHS) and workers' compensation has remained very much on the agenda, there has been a lot of talk but very little action towards bringing about any significant changes.

In mid December 2007, honouring an election promise, the Federal Government announced a moratorium on new employers entering the Comcare scheme. The moratorium was put in place pending review of the scheme amid concerns about the lowering of OHS standards, restriction of union rights of entry to workplaces and reduction in compensation entitlements under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRC Act). The review was initially due to be completed by March 2008, however this was pushed out to July 2008. An announcement on the outcome of the review has yet to be made by the Government at the time we went to press,

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