❓ Minister Kobelke addresses concerns about the CFMEU's campaign against workers' compensation reforms, claiming the union is misleading workers with false information and causing unnecessary protests and productivity loss. He defends the reforms, highlighting increased benefits and correcting specific claims made by the union.
AnsweredQoN 271Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Can the minister inform the House about the veracity of the information portrayed in the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union’s media and industrial campaigns over the Government’s workers compensation reform proposals? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It certainly causes me great concern that people should actually come out to protest against the Government’s workers compensation reforms - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It concerns me that they should come out to protest on the basis of being misled and given false information; that is clearly what has happened. Anyone who respects the rights of workers and wants to look towards the interests of injured workers has a responsibility to make sure that they do not mislead these people, many of whom may be suffering from anxiety and stress from the fact that they are workers compensation cases. To be given false information can compound that anxiety; one needs to point that out so that people understand the truth of it. The package that is currently before this House will provide for $130 million of additional benefits in the first year of operation. When we put in place those reforms, in some areas the benefits will not be as good as those in other States. However, in a range of areas they will be far superior to those in other States. It is a package of major reform. A whole range of factually incorrect statements have been made through advertising by the CFMEU and some lawyers. One example of union advertising said that workers would have their wages reduced to 85 per cent of their current level after 13 weeks. Currently, there is a step-down in weekly payments when a worker has been off work for four weeks, and that is capped. A maximum amount can be paid, and the payments are reduced after four weeks. If the person is on an award, then all the extra payments are stripped away. If he is not on an award, then the wage drops to 85 per cent. Under our changes there will be no restriction or step down for 13 weeks, not four weeks. The limit that is currently set will go from just over $1 000 to nearly $1 300. However, the big improvement for most workers is that the extra payments they get for overtime and standard allowances will continue even after the 13 weeks. For those who are currently on non-award payments and step down to 85 per cent of their wage, that will still happen but after 13 weeks; and they are a minority of the total work force. In respect of the step-down weekly payments for the majority of workers, they will be far better off. When these improvements are put in place, many of the workers will be better off than those in most other States. I am very concerned that people have been brought out to protest and have perhaps lost a day’s wage. There has been a loss of productivity based on false information. This is a free country. People have the right to demonstrate as they wish, but they will start to lose credibility very quickly, if they have any credibility, if they take action on a false basis thereby causing a loss of wages to those workers and a loss of productivity for important industries in this State. For those who wish to take that political action, I ask them to think carefully before they bring themselves into further disrepute over the way they are handling this political campaign.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It certainly causes me great concern that people should actually come out to protest against the Government’s workers compensation reforms - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It concerns me that they should come out to protest on the basis of being misled and given false information; that is clearly what has happened. Anyone who respects the rights of workers and wants to look towards the interests of injured workers has a responsibility to make sure that they do not mislead these people, many of whom may be suffering from anxiety and stress from the fact that they are workers compensation cases. To be given false information can compound that anxiety; one needs to point that out so that people understand the truth of it. The package that is currently before this House will provide for $130 million of additional benefits in the first year of operation. When we put in place those reforms, in some areas the benefits will not be as good as those in other States. However, in a range of areas they will be far superior to those in other States. It is a package of major reform. A whole range of factually incorrect statements have been made through advertising by the CFMEU and some lawyers. One example of union advertising said that workers would have their wages reduced to 85 per cent of their current level after 13 weeks. Currently, there is a step-down in weekly payments when a worker has been off work for four weeks, and that is capped. A maximum amount can be paid, and the payments are reduced after four weeks. If the person is on an award, then all the extra payments are stripped away. If he is not on an award, then the wage drops to 85 per cent. Under our changes there will be no restriction or step down for 13 weeks, not four weeks. The limit that is currently set will go from just over $1 000 to nearly $1 300. However, the big improvement for most workers is that the extra payments they get for overtime and standard allowances will continue even after the 13 weeks. For those who are currently on non-award payments and step down to 85 per cent of their wage, that will still happen but after 13 weeks; and they are a minority of the total work force. In respect of the step-down weekly payments for the majority of workers, they will be far better off. When these improvements are put in place, many of the workers will be better off than those in most other States. I am very concerned that people have been brought out to protest and have perhaps lost a day’s wage. There has been a loss of productivity based on false information. This is a free country. People have the right to demonstrate as they wish, but they will start to lose credibility very quickly, if they have any credibility, if they take action on a false basis thereby causing a loss of wages to those workers and a loss of productivity for important industries in this State. For those who wish to take that political action, I ask them to think carefully before they bring themselves into further disrepute over the way they are handling this political campaign.
I thank the member for the question. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It certainly causes me great concern that people should actually come out to protest against the Government’s workers compensation reforms - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It concerns me that they should come out to protest on the basis of being misled and given false information; that is clearly what has happened. Anyone who respects the rights of workers and wants to look towards the interests of injured workers has a responsibility to make sure that they do not mislead these people, many of whom may be suffering from anxiety and stress from the fact that they are workers compensation cases. To be given false information can compound that anxiety; one needs to point that out so that people understand the truth of it. The package that is currently before this House will provide for $130 million of additional benefits in the first year of operation. When we put in place those reforms, in some areas the benefits will not be as good as those in other States. However, in a range of areas they will be far superior to those in other States. It is a package of major reform. A whole range of factually incorrect statements have been made through advertising by the CFMEU and some lawyers. One example of union advertising said that workers would have their wages reduced to 85 per cent of their current level after 13 weeks. Currently, there is a step-down in weekly payments when a worker has been off work for four weeks, and that is capped. A maximum amount can be paid, and the payments are reduced after four weeks. If the person is on an award, then all the extra payments are stripped away. If he is not on an award, then the wage drops to 85 per cent. Under our changes there will be no restriction or step down for 13 weeks, not four weeks. The limit that is currently set will go from just over $1 000 to nearly $1 300. However, the big improvement for most workers is that the extra payments they get for overtime and standard allowances will continue even after the 13 weeks. For those who are currently on non-award payments and step down to 85 per cent of their wage, that will still happen but after 13 weeks; and they are a minority of the total work force. In respect of the step-down weekly payments for the majority of workers, they will be far better off. When these improvements are put in place, many of the workers will be better off than those in most other States. I am very concerned that people have been brought out to protest and have perhaps lost a day’s wage. There has been a loss of productivity based on false information. This is a free country. People have the right to demonstrate as they wish, but they will start to lose credibility very quickly, if they have any credibility, if they take action on a false basis thereby causing a loss of wages to those workers and a loss of productivity for important industries in this State. For those who wish to take that political action, I ask them to think carefully before they bring themselves into further disrepute over the way they are handling this political campaign.
Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It certainly causes me great concern that people should actually come out to protest against the Government’s workers compensation reforms - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It concerns me that they should come out to protest on the basis of being misled and given false information; that is clearly what has happened. Anyone who respects the rights of workers and wants to look towards the interests of injured workers has a responsibility to make sure that they do not mislead these people, many of whom may be suffering from anxiety and stress from the fact that they are workers compensation cases. To be given false information can compound that anxiety; one needs to point that out so that people understand the truth of it. The package that is currently before this House will provide for $130 million of additional benefits in the first year of operation. When we put in place those reforms, in some areas the benefits will not be as good as those in other States. However, in a range of areas they will be far superior to those in other States. It is a package of major reform. A whole range of factually incorrect statements have been made through advertising by the CFMEU and some lawyers. One example of union advertising said that workers would have their wages reduced to 85 per cent of their current level after 13 weeks. Currently, there is a step-down in weekly payments when a worker has been off work for four weeks, and that is capped. A maximum amount can be paid, and the payments are reduced after four weeks. If the person is on an award, then all the extra payments are stripped away. If he is not on an award, then the wage drops to 85 per cent. Under our changes there will be no restriction or step down for 13 weeks, not four weeks. The limit that is currently set will go from just over $1 000 to nearly $1 300. However, the big improvement for most workers is that the extra payments they get for overtime and standard allowances will continue even after the 13 weeks. For those who are currently on non-award payments and step down to 85 per cent of their wage, that will still happen but after 13 weeks; and they are a minority of the total work force. In respect of the step-down weekly payments for the majority of workers, they will be far better off. When these improvements are put in place, many of the workers will be better off than those in most other States. I am very concerned that people have been brought out to protest and have perhaps lost a day’s wage. There has been a loss of productivity based on false information. This is a free country. People have the right to demonstrate as they wish, but they will start to lose credibility very quickly, if they have any credibility, if they take action on a false basis thereby causing a loss of wages to those workers and a loss of productivity for important industries in this State. For those who wish to take that political action, I ask them to think carefully before they bring themselves into further disrepute over the way they are handling this political campaign.
The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It certainly causes me great concern that people should actually come out to protest against the Government’s workers compensation reforms - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It concerns me that they should come out to protest on the basis of being misled and given false information; that is clearly what has happened. Anyone who respects the rights of workers and wants to look towards the interests of injured workers has a responsibility to make sure that they do not mislead these people, many of whom may be suffering from anxiety and stress from the fact that they are workers compensation cases. To be given false information can compound that anxiety; one needs to point that out so that people understand the truth of it. The package that is currently before this House will provide for $130 million of additional benefits in the first year of operation. When we put in place those reforms, in some areas the benefits will not be as good as those in other States. However, in a range of areas they will be far superior to those in other States. It is a package of major reform. A whole range of factually incorrect statements have been made through advertising by the CFMEU and some lawyers. One example of union advertising said that workers would have their wages reduced to 85 per cent of their current level after 13 weeks. Currently, there is a step-down in weekly payments when a worker has been off work for four weeks, and that is capped. A maximum amount can be paid, and the payments are reduced after four weeks. If the person is on an award, then all the extra payments are stripped away. If he is not on an award, then the wage drops to 85 per cent. Under our changes there will be no restriction or step down for 13 weeks, not four weeks. The limit that is currently set will go from just over $1 000 to nearly $1 300. However, the big improvement for most workers is that the extra payments they get for overtime and standard allowances will continue even after the 13 weeks. For those who are currently on non-award payments and step down to 85 per cent of their wage, that will still happen but after 13 weeks; and they are a minority of the total work force. In respect of the step-down weekly payments for the majority of workers, they will be far better off. When these improvements are put in place, many of the workers will be better off than those in most other States. I am very concerned that people have been brought out to protest and have perhaps lost a day’s wage. There has been a loss of productivity based on false information. This is a free country. People have the right to demonstrate as they wish, but they will start to lose credibility very quickly, if they have any credibility, if they take action on a false basis thereby causing a loss of wages to those workers and a loss of productivity for important industries in this State. For those who wish to take that political action, I ask them to think carefully before they bring themselves into further disrepute over the way they are handling this political campaign.
Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It certainly causes me great concern that people should actually come out to protest against the Government’s workers compensation reforms - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It concerns me that they should come out to protest on the basis of being misled and given false information; that is clearly what has happened. Anyone who respects the rights of workers and wants to look towards the interests of injured workers has a responsibility to make sure that they do not mislead these people, many of whom may be suffering from anxiety and stress from the fact that they are workers compensation cases. To be given false information can compound that anxiety; one needs to point that out so that people understand the truth of it. The package that is currently before this House will provide for $130 million of additional benefits in the first year of operation. When we put in place those reforms, in some areas the benefits will not be as good as those in other States. However, in a range of areas they will be far superior to those in other States. It is a package of major reform. A whole range of factually incorrect statements have been made through advertising by the CFMEU and some lawyers. One example of union advertising said that workers would have their wages reduced to 85 per cent of their current level after 13 weeks. Currently, there is a step-down in weekly payments when a worker has been off work for four weeks, and that is capped. A maximum amount can be paid, and the payments are reduced after four weeks. If the person is on an award, then all the extra payments are stripped away. If he is not on an award, then the wage drops to 85 per cent. Under our changes there will be no restriction or step down for 13 weeks, not four weeks. The limit that is currently set will go from just over $1 000 to nearly $1 300. However, the big improvement for most workers is that the extra payments they get for overtime and standard allowances will continue even after the 13 weeks. For those who are currently on non-award payments and step down to 85 per cent of their wage, that will still happen but after 13 weeks; and they are a minority of the total work force. In respect of the step-down weekly payments for the majority of workers, they will be far better off. When these improvements are put in place, many of the workers will be better off than those in most other States. I am very concerned that people have been brought out to protest and have perhaps lost a day’s wage. There has been a loss of productivity based on false information. This is a free country. People have the right to demonstrate as they wish, but they will start to lose credibility very quickly, if they have any credibility, if they take action on a false basis thereby causing a loss of wages to those workers and a loss of productivity for important industries in this State. For those who wish to take that political action, I ask them to think carefully before they bring themselves into further disrepute over the way they are handling this political campaign.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It certainly causes me great concern that people should actually come out to protest against the Government’s workers compensation reforms - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It concerns me that they should come out to protest on the basis of being misled and given false information; that is clearly what has happened. Anyone who respects the rights of workers and wants to look towards the interests of injured workers has a responsibility to make sure that they do not mislead these people, many of whom may be suffering from anxiety and stress from the fact that they are workers compensation cases. To be given false information can compound that anxiety; one needs to point that out so that people understand the truth of it. The package that is currently before this House will provide for $130 million of additional benefits in the first year of operation. When we put in place those reforms, in some areas the benefits will not be as good as those in other States. However, in a range of areas they will be far superior to those in other States. It is a package of major reform. A whole range of factually incorrect statements have been made through advertising by the CFMEU and some lawyers. One example of union advertising said that workers would have their wages reduced to 85 per cent of their current level after 13 weeks. Currently, there is a step-down in weekly payments when a worker has been off work for four weeks, and that is capped. A maximum amount can be paid, and the payments are reduced after four weeks. If the person is on an award, then all the extra payments are stripped away. If he is not on an award, then the wage drops to 85 per cent. Under our changes there will be no restriction or step down for 13 weeks, not four weeks. The limit that is currently set will go from just over $1 000 to nearly $1 300. However, the big improvement for most workers is that the extra payments they get for overtime and standard allowances will continue even after the 13 weeks. For those who are currently on non-award payments and step down to 85 per cent of their wage, that will still happen but after 13 weeks; and they are a minority of the total work force. In respect of the step-down weekly payments for the majority of workers, they will be far better off. When these improvements are put in place, many of the workers will be better off than those in most other States. I am very concerned that people have been brought out to protest and have perhaps lost a day’s wage. There has been a loss of productivity based on false information. This is a free country. People have the right to demonstrate as they wish, but they will start to lose credibility very quickly, if they have any credibility, if they take action on a false basis thereby causing a loss of wages to those workers and a loss of productivity for important industries in this State. For those who wish to take that political action, I ask them to think carefully before they bring themselves into further disrepute over the way they are handling this political campaign.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It certainly causes me great concern that people should actually come out to protest against the Government’s workers compensation reforms - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It concerns me that they should come out to protest on the basis of being misled and given false information; that is clearly what has happened. Anyone who respects the rights of workers and wants to look towards the interests of injured workers has a responsibility to make sure that they do not mislead these people, many of whom may be suffering from anxiety and stress from the fact that they are workers compensation cases. To be given false information can compound that anxiety; one needs to point that out so that people understand the truth of it. The package that is currently before this House will provide for $130 million of additional benefits in the first year of operation. When we put in place those reforms, in some areas the benefits will not be as good as those in other States. However, in a range of areas they will be far superior to those in other States. It is a package of major reform. A whole range of factually incorrect statements have been made through advertising by the CFMEU and some lawyers. One example of union advertising said that workers would have their wages reduced to 85 per cent of their current level after 13 weeks. Currently, there is a step-down in weekly payments when a worker has been off work for four weeks, and that is capped. A maximum amount can be paid, and the payments are reduced after four weeks. If the person is on an award, then all the extra payments are stripped away. If he is not on an award, then the wage drops to 85 per cent. Under our changes there will be no restriction or step down for 13 weeks, not four weeks. The limit that is currently set will go from just over $1 000 to nearly $1 300. However, the big improvement for most workers is that the extra payments they get for overtime and standard allowances will continue even after the 13 weeks. For those who are currently on non-award payments and step down to 85 per cent of their wage, that will still happen but after 13 weeks; and they are a minority of the total work force. In respect of the step-down weekly payments for the majority of workers, they will be far better off. When these improvements are put in place, many of the workers will be better off than those in most other States. I am very concerned that people have been brought out to protest and have perhaps lost a day’s wage. There has been a loss of productivity based on false information. This is a free country. People have the right to demonstrate as they wish, but they will start to lose credibility very quickly, if they have any credibility, if they take action on a false basis thereby causing a loss of wages to those workers and a loss of productivity for important industries in this State. For those who wish to take that political action, I ask them to think carefully before they bring themselves into further disrepute over the way they are handling this political campaign.
Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It concerns me that they should come out to protest on the basis of being misled and given false information; that is clearly what has happened. Anyone who respects the rights of workers and wants to look towards the interests of injured workers has a responsibility to make sure that they do not mislead these people, many of whom may be suffering from anxiety and stress from the fact that they are workers compensation cases. To be given false information can compound that anxiety; one needs to point that out so that people understand the truth of it. The package that is currently before this House will provide for $130 million of additional benefits in the first year of operation. When we put in place those reforms, in some areas the benefits will not be as good as those in other States. However, in a range of areas they will be far superior to those in other States. It is a package of major reform. A whole range of factually incorrect statements have been made through advertising by the CFMEU and some lawyers. One example of union advertising said that workers would have their wages reduced to 85 per cent of their current level after 13 weeks. Currently, there is a step-down in weekly payments when a worker has been off work for four weeks, and that is capped. A maximum amount can be paid, and the payments are reduced after four weeks. If the person is on an award, then all the extra payments are stripped away. If he is not on an award, then the wage drops to 85 per cent. Under our changes there will be no restriction or step down for 13 weeks, not four weeks. The limit that is currently set will go from just over $1 000 to nearly $1 300. However, the big improvement for most workers is that the extra payments they get for overtime and standard allowances will continue even after the 13 weeks. For those who are currently on non-award payments and step down to 85 per cent of their wage, that will still happen but after 13 weeks; and they are a minority of the total work force. In respect of the step-down weekly payments for the majority of workers, they will be far better off. When these improvements are put in place, many of the workers will be better off than those in most other States. I am very concerned that people have been brought out to protest and have perhaps lost a day’s wage. There has been a loss of productivity based on false information. This is a free country. People have the right to demonstrate as they wish, but they will start to lose credibility very quickly, if they have any credibility, if they take action on a false basis thereby causing a loss of wages to those workers and a loss of productivity for important industries in this State. For those who wish to take that political action, I ask them to think carefully before they bring themselves into further disrepute over the way they are handling this political campaign.
The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It concerns me that they should come out to protest on the basis of being misled and given false information; that is clearly what has happened. Anyone who respects the rights of workers and wants to look towards the interests of injured workers has a responsibility to make sure that they do not mislead these people, many of whom may be suffering from anxiety and stress from the fact that they are workers compensation cases. To be given false information can compound that anxiety; one needs to point that out so that people understand the truth of it. The package that is currently before this House will provide for $130 million of additional benefits in the first year of operation. When we put in place those reforms, in some areas the benefits will not be as good as those in other States. However, in a range of areas they will be far superior to those in other States. It is a package of major reform. A whole range of factually incorrect statements have been made through advertising by the CFMEU and some lawyers. One example of union advertising said that workers would have their wages reduced to 85 per cent of their current level after 13 weeks. Currently, there is a step-down in weekly payments when a worker has been off work for four weeks, and that is capped. A maximum amount can be paid, and the payments are reduced after four weeks. If the person is on an award, then all the extra payments are stripped away. If he is not on an award, then the wage drops to 85 per cent. Under our changes there will be no restriction or step down for 13 weeks, not four weeks. The limit that is currently set will go from just over $1 000 to nearly $1 300. However, the big improvement for most workers is that the extra payments they get for overtime and standard allowances will continue even after the 13 weeks. For those who are currently on non-award payments and step down to 85 per cent of their wage, that will still happen but after 13 weeks; and they are a minority of the total work force. In respect of the step-down weekly payments for the majority of workers, they will be far better off. When these improvements are put in place, many of the workers will be better off than those in most other States. I am very concerned that people have been brought out to protest and have perhaps lost a day’s wage. There has been a loss of productivity based on false information. This is a free country. People have the right to demonstrate as they wish, but they will start to lose credibility very quickly, if they have any credibility, if they take action on a false basis thereby causing a loss of wages to those workers and a loss of productivity for important industries in this State. For those who wish to take that political action, I ask them to think carefully before they bring themselves into further disrepute over the way they are handling this political campaign.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It concerns me that they should come out to protest on the basis of being misled and given false information; that is clearly what has happened. Anyone who respects the rights of workers and wants to look towards the interests of injured workers has a responsibility to make sure that they do not mislead these people, many of whom may be suffering from anxiety and stress from the fact that they are workers compensation cases. To be given false information can compound that anxiety; one needs to point that out so that people understand the truth of it. The package that is currently before this House will provide for $130 million of additional benefits in the first year of operation. When we put in place those reforms, in some areas the benefits will not be as good as those in other States. However, in a range of areas they will be far superior to those in other States. It is a package of major reform. A whole range of factually incorrect statements have been made through advertising by the CFMEU and some lawyers. One example of union advertising said that workers would have their wages reduced to 85 per cent of their current level after 13 weeks. Currently, there is a step-down in weekly payments when a worker has been off work for four weeks, and that is capped. A maximum amount can be paid, and the payments are reduced after four weeks. If the person is on an award, then all the extra payments are stripped away. If he is not on an award, then the wage drops to 85 per cent. Under our changes there will be no restriction or step down for 13 weeks, not four weeks. The limit that is currently set will go from just over $1 000 to nearly $1 300. However, the big improvement for most workers is that the extra payments they get for overtime and standard allowances will continue even after the 13 weeks. For those who are currently on non-award payments and step down to 85 per cent of their wage, that will still happen but after 13 weeks; and they are a minority of the total work force. In respect of the step-down weekly payments for the majority of workers, they will be far better off. When these improvements are put in place, many of the workers will be better off than those in most other States. I am very concerned that people have been brought out to protest and have perhaps lost a day’s wage. There has been a loss of productivity based on false information. This is a free country. People have the right to demonstrate as they wish, but they will start to lose credibility very quickly, if they have any credibility, if they take action on a false basis thereby causing a loss of wages to those workers and a loss of productivity for important industries in this State. For those who wish to take that political action, I ask them to think carefully before they bring themselves into further disrepute over the way they are handling this political campaign.
I am very concerned that people have been brought out to protest and have perhaps lost a day’s wage. There has been a loss of productivity based on false information. This is a free country. People have the right to demonstrate as they wish, but they will start to lose credibility very quickly, if they have any credibility, if they take action on a false basis thereby causing a loss of wages to those workers and a loss of productivity for important industries in this State. For those who wish to take that political action, I ask them to think carefully before they bring themselves into further disrepute over the way they are handling this political campaign.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It certainly causes me great concern that people should actually come out to protest against the Government’s workers compensation reforms - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It concerns me that they should come out to protest on the basis of being misled and given false information; that is clearly what has happened. Anyone who respects the rights of workers and wants to look towards the interests of injured workers has a responsibility to make sure that they do not mislead these people, many of whom may be suffering from anxiety and stress from the fact that they are workers compensation cases. To be given false information can compound that anxiety; one needs to point that out so that people understand the truth of it. The package that is currently before this House will provide for $130 million of additional benefits in the first year of operation. When we put in place those reforms, in some areas the benefits will not be as good as those in other States. However, in a range of areas they will be far superior to those in other States. It is a package of major reform. A whole range of factually incorrect statements have been made through advertising by the CFMEU and some lawyers. One example of union advertising said that workers would have their wages reduced to 85 per cent of their current level after 13 weeks. Currently, there is a step-down in weekly payments when a worker has been off work for four weeks, and that is capped. A maximum amount can be paid, and the payments are reduced after four weeks. If the person is on an award, then all the extra payments are stripped away. If he is not on an award, then the wage drops to 85 per cent. Under our changes there will be no restriction or step down for 13 weeks, not four weeks. The limit that is currently set will go from just over $1 000 to nearly $1 300. However, the big improvement for most workers is that the extra payments they get for overtime and standard allowances will continue even after the 13 weeks. For those who are currently on non-award payments and step down to 85 per cent of their wage, that will still happen but after 13 weeks; and they are a minority of the total work force. In respect of the step-down weekly payments for the majority of workers, they will be far better off. When these improvements are put in place, many of the workers will be better off than those in most other States. I am very concerned that people have been brought out to protest and have perhaps lost a day’s wage. There has been a loss of productivity based on false information. This is a free country. People have the right to demonstrate as they wish, but they will start to lose credibility very quickly, if they have any credibility, if they take action on a false basis thereby causing a loss of wages to those workers and a loss of productivity for important industries in this State. For those who wish to take that political action, I ask them to think carefully before they bring themselves into further disrepute over the way they are handling this political campaign.
I thank the member for the question. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It certainly causes me great concern that people should actually come out to protest against the Government’s workers compensation reforms - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It concerns me that they should come out to protest on the basis of being misled and given false information; that is clearly what has happened. Anyone who respects the rights of workers and wants to look towards the interests of injured workers has a responsibility to make sure that they do not mislead these people, many of whom may be suffering from anxiety and stress from the fact that they are workers compensation cases. To be given false information can compound that anxiety; one needs to point that out so that people understand the truth of it. The package that is currently before this House will provide for $130 million of additional benefits in the first year of operation. When we put in place those reforms, in some areas the benefits will not be as good as those in other States. However, in a range of areas they will be far superior to those in other States. It is a package of major reform. A whole range of factually incorrect statements have been made through advertising by the CFMEU and some lawyers. One example of union advertising said that workers would have their wages reduced to 85 per cent of their current level after 13 weeks. Currently, there is a step-down in weekly payments when a worker has been off work for four weeks, and that is capped. A maximum amount can be paid, and the payments are reduced after four weeks. If the person is on an award, then all the extra payments are stripped away. If he is not on an award, then the wage drops to 85 per cent. Under our changes there will be no restriction or step down for 13 weeks, not four weeks. The limit that is currently set will go from just over $1 000 to nearly $1 300. However, the big improvement for most workers is that the extra payments they get for overtime and standard allowances will continue even after the 13 weeks. For those who are currently on non-award payments and step down to 85 per cent of their wage, that will still happen but after 13 weeks; and they are a minority of the total work force. In respect of the step-down weekly payments for the majority of workers, they will be far better off. When these improvements are put in place, many of the workers will be better off than those in most other States. I am very concerned that people have been brought out to protest and have perhaps lost a day’s wage. There has been a loss of productivity based on false information. This is a free country. People have the right to demonstrate as they wish, but they will start to lose credibility very quickly, if they have any credibility, if they take action on a false basis thereby causing a loss of wages to those workers and a loss of productivity for important industries in this State. For those who wish to take that political action, I ask them to think carefully before they bring themselves into further disrepute over the way they are handling this political campaign.
Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It certainly causes me great concern that people should actually come out to protest against the Government’s workers compensation reforms - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It concerns me that they should come out to protest on the basis of being misled and given false information; that is clearly what has happened. Anyone who respects the rights of workers and wants to look towards the interests of injured workers has a responsibility to make sure that they do not mislead these people, many of whom may be suffering from anxiety and stress from the fact that they are workers compensation cases. To be given false information can compound that anxiety; one needs to point that out so that people understand the truth of it. The package that is currently before this House will provide for $130 million of additional benefits in the first year of operation. When we put in place those reforms, in some areas the benefits will not be as good as those in other States. However, in a range of areas they will be far superior to those in other States. It is a package of major reform. A whole range of factually incorrect statements have been made through advertising by the CFMEU and some lawyers. One example of union advertising said that workers would have their wages reduced to 85 per cent of their current level after 13 weeks. Currently, there is a step-down in weekly payments when a worker has been off work for four weeks, and that is capped. A maximum amount can be paid, and the payments are reduced after four weeks. If the person is on an award, then all the extra payments are stripped away. If he is not on an award, then the wage drops to 85 per cent. Under our changes there will be no restriction or step down for 13 weeks, not four weeks. The limit that is currently set will go from just over $1 000 to nearly $1 300. However, the big improvement for most workers is that the extra payments they get for overtime and standard allowances will continue even after the 13 weeks. For those who are currently on non-award payments and step down to 85 per cent of their wage, that will still happen but after 13 weeks; and they are a minority of the total work force. In respect of the step-down weekly payments for the majority of workers, they will be far better off. When these improvements are put in place, many of the workers will be better off than those in most other States. I am very concerned that people have been brought out to protest and have perhaps lost a day’s wage. There has been a loss of productivity based on false information. This is a free country. People have the right to demonstrate as they wish, but they will start to lose credibility very quickly, if they have any credibility, if they take action on a false basis thereby causing a loss of wages to those workers and a loss of productivity for important industries in this State. For those who wish to take that political action, I ask them to think carefully before they bring themselves into further disrepute over the way they are handling this political campaign.
The SPEAKER: Order, member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It certainly causes me great concern that people should actually come out to protest against the Government’s workers compensation reforms - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It concerns me that they should come out to protest on the basis of being misled and given false information; that is clearly what has happened. Anyone who respects the rights of workers and wants to look towards the interests of injured workers has a responsibility to make sure that they do not mislead these people, many of whom may be suffering from anxiety and stress from the fact that they are workers compensation cases. To be given false information can compound that anxiety; one needs to point that out so that people understand the truth of it. The package that is currently before this House will provide for $130 million of additional benefits in the first year of operation. When we put in place those reforms, in some areas the benefits will not be as good as those in other States. However, in a range of areas they will be far superior to those in other States. It is a package of major reform. A whole range of factually incorrect statements have been made through advertising by the CFMEU and some lawyers. One example of union advertising said that workers would have their wages reduced to 85 per cent of their current level after 13 weeks. Currently, there is a step-down in weekly payments when a worker has been off work for four weeks, and that is capped. A maximum amount can be paid, and the payments are reduced after four weeks. If the person is on an award, then all the extra payments are stripped away. If he is not on an award, then the wage drops to 85 per cent. Under our changes there will be no restriction or step down for 13 weeks, not four weeks. The limit that is currently set will go from just over $1 000 to nearly $1 300. However, the big improvement for most workers is that the extra payments they get for overtime and standard allowances will continue even after the 13 weeks. For those who are currently on non-award payments and step down to 85 per cent of their wage, that will still happen but after 13 weeks; and they are a minority of the total work force. In respect of the step-down weekly payments for the majority of workers, they will be far better off. When these improvements are put in place, many of the workers will be better off than those in most other States. I am very concerned that people have been brought out to protest and have perhaps lost a day’s wage. There has been a loss of productivity based on false information. This is a free country. People have the right to demonstrate as they wish, but they will start to lose credibility very quickly, if they have any credibility, if they take action on a false basis thereby causing a loss of wages to those workers and a loss of productivity for important industries in this State. For those who wish to take that political action, I ask them to think carefully before they bring themselves into further disrepute over the way they are handling this political campaign.
Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It certainly causes me great concern that people should actually come out to protest against the Government’s workers compensation reforms - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It concerns me that they should come out to protest on the basis of being misled and given false information; that is clearly what has happened. Anyone who respects the rights of workers and wants to look towards the interests of injured workers has a responsibility to make sure that they do not mislead these people, many of whom may be suffering from anxiety and stress from the fact that they are workers compensation cases. To be given false information can compound that anxiety; one needs to point that out so that people understand the truth of it. The package that is currently before this House will provide for $130 million of additional benefits in the first year of operation. When we put in place those reforms, in some areas the benefits will not be as good as those in other States. However, in a range of areas they will be far superior to those in other States. It is a package of major reform. A whole range of factually incorrect statements have been made through advertising by the CFMEU and some lawyers. One example of union advertising said that workers would have their wages reduced to 85 per cent of their current level after 13 weeks. Currently, there is a step-down in weekly payments when a worker has been off work for four weeks, and that is capped. A maximum amount can be paid, and the payments are reduced after four weeks. If the person is on an award, then all the extra payments are stripped away. If he is not on an award, then the wage drops to 85 per cent. Under our changes there will be no restriction or step down for 13 weeks, not four weeks. The limit that is currently set will go from just over $1 000 to nearly $1 300. However, the big improvement for most workers is that the extra payments they get for overtime and standard allowances will continue even after the 13 weeks. For those who are currently on non-award payments and step down to 85 per cent of their wage, that will still happen but after 13 weeks; and they are a minority of the total work force. In respect of the step-down weekly payments for the majority of workers, they will be far better off. When these improvements are put in place, many of the workers will be better off than those in most other States. I am very concerned that people have been brought out to protest and have perhaps lost a day’s wage. There has been a loss of productivity based on false information. This is a free country. People have the right to demonstrate as they wish, but they will start to lose credibility very quickly, if they have any credibility, if they take action on a false basis thereby causing a loss of wages to those workers and a loss of productivity for important industries in this State. For those who wish to take that political action, I ask them to think carefully before they bring themselves into further disrepute over the way they are handling this political campaign.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It certainly causes me great concern that people should actually come out to protest against the Government’s workers compensation reforms - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It concerns me that they should come out to protest on the basis of being misled and given false information; that is clearly what has happened. Anyone who respects the rights of workers and wants to look towards the interests of injured workers has a responsibility to make sure that they do not mislead these people, many of whom may be suffering from anxiety and stress from the fact that they are workers compensation cases. To be given false information can compound that anxiety; one needs to point that out so that people understand the truth of it. The package that is currently before this House will provide for $130 million of additional benefits in the first year of operation. When we put in place those reforms, in some areas the benefits will not be as good as those in other States. However, in a range of areas they will be far superior to those in other States. It is a package of major reform. A whole range of factually incorrect statements have been made through advertising by the CFMEU and some lawyers. One example of union advertising said that workers would have their wages reduced to 85 per cent of their current level after 13 weeks. Currently, there is a step-down in weekly payments when a worker has been off work for four weeks, and that is capped. A maximum amount can be paid, and the payments are reduced after four weeks. If the person is on an award, then all the extra payments are stripped away. If he is not on an award, then the wage drops to 85 per cent. Under our changes there will be no restriction or step down for 13 weeks, not four weeks. The limit that is currently set will go from just over $1 000 to nearly $1 300. However, the big improvement for most workers is that the extra payments they get for overtime and standard allowances will continue even after the 13 weeks. For those who are currently on non-award payments and step down to 85 per cent of their wage, that will still happen but after 13 weeks; and they are a minority of the total work force. In respect of the step-down weekly payments for the majority of workers, they will be far better off. When these improvements are put in place, many of the workers will be better off than those in most other States. I am very concerned that people have been brought out to protest and have perhaps lost a day’s wage. There has been a loss of productivity based on false information. This is a free country. People have the right to demonstrate as they wish, but they will start to lose credibility very quickly, if they have any credibility, if they take action on a false basis thereby causing a loss of wages to those workers and a loss of productivity for important industries in this State. For those who wish to take that political action, I ask them to think carefully before they bring themselves into further disrepute over the way they are handling this political campaign.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It certainly causes me great concern that people should actually come out to protest against the Government’s workers compensation reforms - Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It concerns me that they should come out to protest on the basis of being misled and given false information; that is clearly what has happened. Anyone who respects the rights of workers and wants to look towards the interests of injured workers has a responsibility to make sure that they do not mislead these people, many of whom may be suffering from anxiety and stress from the fact that they are workers compensation cases. To be given false information can compound that anxiety; one needs to point that out so that people understand the truth of it. The package that is currently before this House will provide for $130 million of additional benefits in the first year of operation. When we put in place those reforms, in some areas the benefits will not be as good as those in other States. However, in a range of areas they will be far superior to those in other States. It is a package of major reform. A whole range of factually incorrect statements have been made through advertising by the CFMEU and some lawyers. One example of union advertising said that workers would have their wages reduced to 85 per cent of their current level after 13 weeks. Currently, there is a step-down in weekly payments when a worker has been off work for four weeks, and that is capped. A maximum amount can be paid, and the payments are reduced after four weeks. If the person is on an award, then all the extra payments are stripped away. If he is not on an award, then the wage drops to 85 per cent. Under our changes there will be no restriction or step down for 13 weeks, not four weeks. The limit that is currently set will go from just over $1 000 to nearly $1 300. However, the big improvement for most workers is that the extra payments they get for overtime and standard allowances will continue even after the 13 weeks. For those who are currently on non-award payments and step down to 85 per cent of their wage, that will still happen but after 13 weeks; and they are a minority of the total work force. In respect of the step-down weekly payments for the majority of workers, they will be far better off. When these improvements are put in place, many of the workers will be better off than those in most other States. I am very concerned that people have been brought out to protest and have perhaps lost a day’s wage. There has been a loss of productivity based on false information. This is a free country. People have the right to demonstrate as they wish, but they will start to lose credibility very quickly, if they have any credibility, if they take action on a false basis thereby causing a loss of wages to those workers and a loss of productivity for important industries in this State. For those who wish to take that political action, I ask them to think carefully before they bring themselves into further disrepute over the way they are handling this political campaign.
Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It concerns me that they should come out to protest on the basis of being misled and given false information; that is clearly what has happened. Anyone who respects the rights of workers and wants to look towards the interests of injured workers has a responsibility to make sure that they do not mislead these people, many of whom may be suffering from anxiety and stress from the fact that they are workers compensation cases. To be given false information can compound that anxiety; one needs to point that out so that people understand the truth of it. The package that is currently before this House will provide for $130 million of additional benefits in the first year of operation. When we put in place those reforms, in some areas the benefits will not be as good as those in other States. However, in a range of areas they will be far superior to those in other States. It is a package of major reform. A whole range of factually incorrect statements have been made through advertising by the CFMEU and some lawyers. One example of union advertising said that workers would have their wages reduced to 85 per cent of their current level after 13 weeks. Currently, there is a step-down in weekly payments when a worker has been off work for four weeks, and that is capped. A maximum amount can be paid, and the payments are reduced after four weeks. If the person is on an award, then all the extra payments are stripped away. If he is not on an award, then the wage drops to 85 per cent. Under our changes there will be no restriction or step down for 13 weeks, not four weeks. The limit that is currently set will go from just over $1 000 to nearly $1 300. However, the big improvement for most workers is that the extra payments they get for overtime and standard allowances will continue even after the 13 weeks. For those who are currently on non-award payments and step down to 85 per cent of their wage, that will still happen but after 13 weeks; and they are a minority of the total work force. In respect of the step-down weekly payments for the majority of workers, they will be far better off. When these improvements are put in place, many of the workers will be better off than those in most other States. I am very concerned that people have been brought out to protest and have perhaps lost a day’s wage. There has been a loss of productivity based on false information. This is a free country. People have the right to demonstrate as they wish, but they will start to lose credibility very quickly, if they have any credibility, if they take action on a false basis thereby causing a loss of wages to those workers and a loss of productivity for important industries in this State. For those who wish to take that political action, I ask them to think carefully before they bring themselves into further disrepute over the way they are handling this political campaign.
The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It concerns me that they should come out to protest on the basis of being misled and given false information; that is clearly what has happened. Anyone who respects the rights of workers and wants to look towards the interests of injured workers has a responsibility to make sure that they do not mislead these people, many of whom may be suffering from anxiety and stress from the fact that they are workers compensation cases. To be given false information can compound that anxiety; one needs to point that out so that people understand the truth of it. The package that is currently before this House will provide for $130 million of additional benefits in the first year of operation. When we put in place those reforms, in some areas the benefits will not be as good as those in other States. However, in a range of areas they will be far superior to those in other States. It is a package of major reform. A whole range of factually incorrect statements have been made through advertising by the CFMEU and some lawyers. One example of union advertising said that workers would have their wages reduced to 85 per cent of their current level after 13 weeks. Currently, there is a step-down in weekly payments when a worker has been off work for four weeks, and that is capped. A maximum amount can be paid, and the payments are reduced after four weeks. If the person is on an award, then all the extra payments are stripped away. If he is not on an award, then the wage drops to 85 per cent. Under our changes there will be no restriction or step down for 13 weeks, not four weeks. The limit that is currently set will go from just over $1 000 to nearly $1 300. However, the big improvement for most workers is that the extra payments they get for overtime and standard allowances will continue even after the 13 weeks. For those who are currently on non-award payments and step down to 85 per cent of their wage, that will still happen but after 13 weeks; and they are a minority of the total work force. In respect of the step-down weekly payments for the majority of workers, they will be far better off. When these improvements are put in place, many of the workers will be better off than those in most other States. I am very concerned that people have been brought out to protest and have perhaps lost a day’s wage. There has been a loss of productivity based on false information. This is a free country. People have the right to demonstrate as they wish, but they will start to lose credibility very quickly, if they have any credibility, if they take action on a false basis thereby causing a loss of wages to those workers and a loss of productivity for important industries in this State. For those who wish to take that political action, I ask them to think carefully before they bring themselves into further disrepute over the way they are handling this political campaign.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE: It concerns me that they should come out to protest on the basis of being misled and given false information; that is clearly what has happened. Anyone who respects the rights of workers and wants to look towards the interests of injured workers has a responsibility to make sure that they do not mislead these people, many of whom may be suffering from anxiety and stress from the fact that they are workers compensation cases. To be given false information can compound that anxiety; one needs to point that out so that people understand the truth of it. The package that is currently before this House will provide for $130 million of additional benefits in the first year of operation. When we put in place those reforms, in some areas the benefits will not be as good as those in other States. However, in a range of areas they will be far superior to those in other States. It is a package of major reform. A whole range of factually incorrect statements have been made through advertising by the CFMEU and some lawyers. One example of union advertising said that workers would have their wages reduced to 85 per cent of their current level after 13 weeks. Currently, there is a step-down in weekly payments when a worker has been off work for four weeks, and that is capped. A maximum amount can be paid, and the payments are reduced after four weeks. If the person is on an award, then all the extra payments are stripped away. If he is not on an award, then the wage drops to 85 per cent. Under our changes there will be no restriction or step down for 13 weeks, not four weeks. The limit that is currently set will go from just over $1 000 to nearly $1 300. However, the big improvement for most workers is that the extra payments they get for overtime and standard allowances will continue even after the 13 weeks. For those who are currently on non-award payments and step down to 85 per cent of their wage, that will still happen but after 13 weeks; and they are a minority of the total work force. In respect of the step-down weekly payments for the majority of workers, they will be far better off. When these improvements are put in place, many of the workers will be better off than those in most other States. I am very concerned that people have been brought out to protest and have perhaps lost a day’s wage. There has been a loss of productivity based on false information. This is a free country. People have the right to demonstrate as they wish, but they will start to lose credibility very quickly, if they have any credibility, if they take action on a false basis thereby causing a loss of wages to those workers and a loss of productivity for important industries in this State. For those who wish to take that political action, I ask them to think carefully before they bring themselves into further disrepute over the way they are handling this political campaign.
I am very concerned that people have been brought out to protest and have perhaps lost a day’s wage. There has been a loss of productivity based on false information. This is a free country. People have the right to demonstrate as they wish, but they will start to lose credibility very quickly, if they have any credibility, if they take action on a false basis thereby causing a loss of wages to those workers and a loss of productivity for important industries in this State. For those who wish to take that political action, I ask them to think carefully before they bring themselves into further disrepute over the way they are handling this political campaign.
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