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Workers Compensation

Published on: May 2025

Record: HANSARD-1323879322-153127

Workers Compensation

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (11:35:54):

My question is directed to the Minister for Roads, and Minister for Regional Transport. In October 2018 the Minister said that the 20 per cent impairment threshold in section 39 of the Workers Compensation Act was "grossly unfair" and voted to remove it. Is that still the Minister's position?

The SPEAKER:

The member for Terrigal will come to order. The Minister has not even opened her mouth and the member is interjecting. The Minister has the right to be heard in silence for at least the first word of her answer. The Minister has the call.

Ms JENNY AITCHISON (MaitlandMinister for Roads, and Minister for Regional Transport) (11:36:36):

— It is quite strange to see members opposite using opposition work done by our good friends over at the Herald to work out what we said in question time and with respect to legislation back in 2018.

The SPEAKER:

The member for Wahroonga will come to order.

Ms JENNY AITCHISON:

I note that in 2018 those opposite did not accept the amendment, and now they lecture us.

The SPEAKER:

I call the member for Coffs Harbour to order for the second time.

Ms JENNY AITCHISON:

The Minister for Industrial Relations and the Treasurer—and Minister Dib too—have been doing an incredible job to try to build a better New South Wales from the mess that those opposite left us. We are consulting with our communities, and we are consulting with unions. I remember, as a small business operator, when Barry O'Farrell came in and took an axe to the workers compensation system in this State and absolutely destroyed it.

Ms Felicity Wilson:

Point of order: My point of order is taken under Standing Order 129. My question specifically asked about the Minister's position.

The SPEAKER:

I uphold the point of order. The Minister will be directly relevant to the question.

Ms JENNY AITCHISON:

Mr Speaker, I am being directly relevant because—

The SPEAKER:

The Minister will not cavil with my ruling. I have determined that she has not been directly relevant.

Ms JENNY AITCHISON:

Apologies, Mr Speaker. I was giving context to my long-held view that workers in this State need to be treated better, which is shared by members of the Government and the crossbench.

The SPEAKER:

The member for Hornsby will come to order.

Ms JENNY AITCHISON:

Members opposite are the only ones who do not have that view. They demonstrated it for the 12 long years that they destroyed workers compensation.

The SPEAKER:

I call the member for Wahroonga to order for the first time.

Ms JENNY AITCHISON:

An exposure draft of the bill is out, and there is a consultation process, with an inquiry taking place on Friday for anyone who wants to put their views forward.

The SPEAKER:

I call the member for Terrigal to order for the second time.

Ms JENNY AITCHISON:

I have been listening to unions in my community. I have been listening to injured workers for years. I have been listening to families.

The SPEAKER:

The member for Willoughby will come to order. The member for Castle Hill will come to order.

Ms JENNY AITCHISON:

Those opposite left behind a disgraceful situation. They did not even look at any of the preventative things that we are now trying to put in place. Those workers with psychological injuries who had a 50 per cent chance of getting back to normal and back to enjoying life, let alone getting back into the workplace, were left on the hook by those opposite. They did not care and cut them off.

Mr Alister Henskens:

Point of order—

Ms JENNY AITCHISON:

We came in here every single day to defend them and those opposite did nothing. They are a disgrace.

The SPEAKER:

The Minister has completed her answer. I remind the member for Badgerys Creek that she is on two calls to order. The member for Epping will come to order.