❓ Minister Kobelke addresses inaccuracies in a union advertising campaign regarding the Government's workers compensation reforms, defending the changes as beneficial and accusing the union of spreading falsehoods.
AnsweredQoN 232Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Will the minister inform the House of the inaccuracies contained in recent media reports and advertising relating to the Government’s reforms to occupational safety and health? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. Mr A.D. McRae: The question was meant to refer to the Government’s reforms to workers compensation. Several members interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: I thank the member. I think I am developing extrasensory perception! Unfortunately, the Government is used to the Opposition misrepresenting it and saying things that are not true. The relevant legislation is before Parliament and people are able to obtain advice on it. The member’s question relates to an advertising campaign being run by one of the State’s major unions. I am very concerned that the advertising contains allegations that are not true and contains supposed facts that are false and that the union will take industrial action in support of its campaign, which is based on falsehoods. I make it clear that the union’s advertising is wrong, and I will give members an example. The union claims that changes the Government will put in place through legislation that is currently before the House regarding workers who receive weekly payments because they are injured will result in those workers’ payments being stepped down by 85 per cent. Generally, workers will not incur that step down, although a minority of workers might have those payments stepped down. However, for most workers the changing of the definition means that there will be a smaller or no step down. Also, instead of having a step down at four weeks, the period will be extended to 13 weeks. The vast majority of injured workers will be better off under these changes. The changes amount to improved benefits to injured workers of $130 million in the first year. That will be done in a way that will ensure premiums stay within the 2.4 to 2.7 band. The changes are the biggest improvements to the workers compensation system anyone in this State can remember. It is a massive improvement. Although the Government would like to do more, it is a massive improvement. Therefore, the advertising campaign that suggests otherwise is misleading and false. For a union to take industrial or political action when it has been putting out false information does no service to its members and is likely to have a negative effect on its industry. I hope the leaders of that union will rethink what they can responsibly do to ensure this legislation benefits their members and workers generally. I hope that it does not mount a campaign that will be detrimental to the interests of the union’s members and to a very important industry in this State. The campaign is based on a range of falsehoods.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. Mr A.D. McRae: The question was meant to refer to the Government’s reforms to workers compensation. Several members interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: I thank the member. I think I am developing extrasensory perception! Unfortunately, the Government is used to the Opposition misrepresenting it and saying things that are not true. The relevant legislation is before Parliament and people are able to obtain advice on it. The member’s question relates to an advertising campaign being run by one of the State’s major unions. I am very concerned that the advertising contains allegations that are not true and contains supposed facts that are false and that the union will take industrial action in support of its campaign, which is based on falsehoods. I make it clear that the union’s advertising is wrong, and I will give members an example. The union claims that changes the Government will put in place through legislation that is currently before the House regarding workers who receive weekly payments because they are injured will result in those workers’ payments being stepped down by 85 per cent. Generally, workers will not incur that step down, although a minority of workers might have those payments stepped down. However, for most workers the changing of the definition means that there will be a smaller or no step down. Also, instead of having a step down at four weeks, the period will be extended to 13 weeks. The vast majority of injured workers will be better off under these changes. The changes amount to improved benefits to injured workers of $130 million in the first year. That will be done in a way that will ensure premiums stay within the 2.4 to 2.7 band. The changes are the biggest improvements to the workers compensation system anyone in this State can remember. It is a massive improvement. Although the Government would like to do more, it is a massive improvement. Therefore, the advertising campaign that suggests otherwise is misleading and false. For a union to take industrial or political action when it has been putting out false information does no service to its members and is likely to have a negative effect on its industry. I hope the leaders of that union will rethink what they can responsibly do to ensure this legislation benefits their members and workers generally. I hope that it does not mount a campaign that will be detrimental to the interests of the union’s members and to a very important industry in this State. The campaign is based on a range of falsehoods.
I thank the member for the question. Mr A.D. McRae: The question was meant to refer to the Government’s reforms to workers compensation. Several members interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: I thank the member. I think I am developing extrasensory perception! Unfortunately, the Government is used to the Opposition misrepresenting it and saying things that are not true. The relevant legislation is before Parliament and people are able to obtain advice on it. The member’s question relates to an advertising campaign being run by one of the State’s major unions. I am very concerned that the advertising contains allegations that are not true and contains supposed facts that are false and that the union will take industrial action in support of its campaign, which is based on falsehoods. I make it clear that the union’s advertising is wrong, and I will give members an example. The union claims that changes the Government will put in place through legislation that is currently before the House regarding workers who receive weekly payments because they are injured will result in those workers’ payments being stepped down by 85 per cent. Generally, workers will not incur that step down, although a minority of workers might have those payments stepped down. However, for most workers the changing of the definition means that there will be a smaller or no step down. Also, instead of having a step down at four weeks, the period will be extended to 13 weeks. The vast majority of injured workers will be better off under these changes. The changes amount to improved benefits to injured workers of $130 million in the first year. That will be done in a way that will ensure premiums stay within the 2.4 to 2.7 band. The changes are the biggest improvements to the workers compensation system anyone in this State can remember. It is a massive improvement. Although the Government would like to do more, it is a massive improvement. Therefore, the advertising campaign that suggests otherwise is misleading and false. For a union to take industrial or political action when it has been putting out false information does no service to its members and is likely to have a negative effect on its industry. I hope the leaders of that union will rethink what they can responsibly do to ensure this legislation benefits their members and workers generally. I hope that it does not mount a campaign that will be detrimental to the interests of the union’s members and to a very important industry in this State. The campaign is based on a range of falsehoods.
Mr A.D. McRae: The question was meant to refer to the Government’s reforms to workers compensation. Several members interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: I thank the member. I think I am developing extrasensory perception! Unfortunately, the Government is used to the Opposition misrepresenting it and saying things that are not true. The relevant legislation is before Parliament and people are able to obtain advice on it. The member’s question relates to an advertising campaign being run by one of the State’s major unions. I am very concerned that the advertising contains allegations that are not true and contains supposed facts that are false and that the union will take industrial action in support of its campaign, which is based on falsehoods. I make it clear that the union’s advertising is wrong, and I will give members an example. The union claims that changes the Government will put in place through legislation that is currently before the House regarding workers who receive weekly payments because they are injured will result in those workers’ payments being stepped down by 85 per cent. Generally, workers will not incur that step down, although a minority of workers might have those payments stepped down. However, for most workers the changing of the definition means that there will be a smaller or no step down. Also, instead of having a step down at four weeks, the period will be extended to 13 weeks. The vast majority of injured workers will be better off under these changes. The changes amount to improved benefits to injured workers of $130 million in the first year. That will be done in a way that will ensure premiums stay within the 2.4 to 2.7 band. The changes are the biggest improvements to the workers compensation system anyone in this State can remember. It is a massive improvement. Although the Government would like to do more, it is a massive improvement. Therefore, the advertising campaign that suggests otherwise is misleading and false. For a union to take industrial or political action when it has been putting out false information does no service to its members and is likely to have a negative effect on its industry. I hope the leaders of that union will rethink what they can responsibly do to ensure this legislation benefits their members and workers generally. I hope that it does not mount a campaign that will be detrimental to the interests of the union’s members and to a very important industry in this State. The campaign is based on a range of falsehoods.
Several members interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: I thank the member. I think I am developing extrasensory perception! Unfortunately, the Government is used to the Opposition misrepresenting it and saying things that are not true. The relevant legislation is before Parliament and people are able to obtain advice on it. The member’s question relates to an advertising campaign being run by one of the State’s major unions. I am very concerned that the advertising contains allegations that are not true and contains supposed facts that are false and that the union will take industrial action in support of its campaign, which is based on falsehoods. I make it clear that the union’s advertising is wrong, and I will give members an example. The union claims that changes the Government will put in place through legislation that is currently before the House regarding workers who receive weekly payments because they are injured will result in those workers’ payments being stepped down by 85 per cent. Generally, workers will not incur that step down, although a minority of workers might have those payments stepped down. However, for most workers the changing of the definition means that there will be a smaller or no step down. Also, instead of having a step down at four weeks, the period will be extended to 13 weeks. The vast majority of injured workers will be better off under these changes. The changes amount to improved benefits to injured workers of $130 million in the first year. That will be done in a way that will ensure premiums stay within the 2.4 to 2.7 band. The changes are the biggest improvements to the workers compensation system anyone in this State can remember. It is a massive improvement. Although the Government would like to do more, it is a massive improvement. Therefore, the advertising campaign that suggests otherwise is misleading and false. For a union to take industrial or political action when it has been putting out false information does no service to its members and is likely to have a negative effect on its industry. I hope the leaders of that union will rethink what they can responsibly do to ensure this legislation benefits their members and workers generally. I hope that it does not mount a campaign that will be detrimental to the interests of the union’s members and to a very important industry in this State. The campaign is based on a range of falsehoods.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE: I thank the member. I think I am developing extrasensory perception! Unfortunately, the Government is used to the Opposition misrepresenting it and saying things that are not true. The relevant legislation is before Parliament and people are able to obtain advice on it. The member’s question relates to an advertising campaign being run by one of the State’s major unions. I am very concerned that the advertising contains allegations that are not true and contains supposed facts that are false and that the union will take industrial action in support of its campaign, which is based on falsehoods. I make it clear that the union’s advertising is wrong, and I will give members an example. The union claims that changes the Government will put in place through legislation that is currently before the House regarding workers who receive weekly payments because they are injured will result in those workers’ payments being stepped down by 85 per cent. Generally, workers will not incur that step down, although a minority of workers might have those payments stepped down. However, for most workers the changing of the definition means that there will be a smaller or no step down. Also, instead of having a step down at four weeks, the period will be extended to 13 weeks. The vast majority of injured workers will be better off under these changes. The changes amount to improved benefits to injured workers of $130 million in the first year. That will be done in a way that will ensure premiums stay within the 2.4 to 2.7 band. The changes are the biggest improvements to the workers compensation system anyone in this State can remember. It is a massive improvement. Although the Government would like to do more, it is a massive improvement. Therefore, the advertising campaign that suggests otherwise is misleading and false. For a union to take industrial or political action when it has been putting out false information does no service to its members and is likely to have a negative effect on its industry. I hope the leaders of that union will rethink what they can responsibly do to ensure this legislation benefits their members and workers generally. I hope that it does not mount a campaign that will be detrimental to the interests of the union’s members and to a very important industry in this State. The campaign is based on a range of falsehoods.
I make it clear that the union’s advertising is wrong, and I will give members an example. The union claims that changes the Government will put in place through legislation that is currently before the House regarding workers who receive weekly payments because they are injured will result in those workers’ payments being stepped down by 85 per cent. Generally, workers will not incur that step down, although a minority of workers might have those payments stepped down. However, for most workers the changing of the definition means that there will be a smaller or no step down. Also, instead of having a step down at four weeks, the period will be extended to 13 weeks. The vast majority of injured workers will be better off under these changes. The changes amount to improved benefits to injured workers of $130 million in the first year. That will be done in a way that will ensure premiums stay within the 2.4 to 2.7 band. The changes are the biggest improvements to the workers compensation system anyone in this State can remember. It is a massive improvement. Although the Government would like to do more, it is a massive improvement. Therefore, the advertising campaign that suggests otherwise is misleading and false. For a union to take industrial or political action when it has been putting out false information does no service to its members and is likely to have a negative effect on its industry. I hope the leaders of that union will rethink what they can responsibly do to ensure this legislation benefits their members and workers generally. I hope that it does not mount a campaign that will be detrimental to the interests of the union’s members and to a very important industry in this State. The campaign is based on a range of falsehoods.
The changes are the biggest improvements to the workers compensation system anyone in this State can remember. It is a massive improvement. Although the Government would like to do more, it is a massive improvement. Therefore, the advertising campaign that suggests otherwise is misleading and false. For a union to take industrial or political action when it has been putting out false information does no service to its members and is likely to have a negative effect on its industry. I hope the leaders of that union will rethink what they can responsibly do to ensure this legislation benefits their members and workers generally. I hope that it does not mount a campaign that will be detrimental to the interests of the union’s members and to a very important industry in this State. The campaign is based on a range of falsehoods.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. Mr A.D. McRae: The question was meant to refer to the Government’s reforms to workers compensation. Several members interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: I thank the member. I think I am developing extrasensory perception! Unfortunately, the Government is used to the Opposition misrepresenting it and saying things that are not true. The relevant legislation is before Parliament and people are able to obtain advice on it. The member’s question relates to an advertising campaign being run by one of the State’s major unions. I am very concerned that the advertising contains allegations that are not true and contains supposed facts that are false and that the union will take industrial action in support of its campaign, which is based on falsehoods. I make it clear that the union’s advertising is wrong, and I will give members an example. The union claims that changes the Government will put in place through legislation that is currently before the House regarding workers who receive weekly payments because they are injured will result in those workers’ payments being stepped down by 85 per cent. Generally, workers will not incur that step down, although a minority of workers might have those payments stepped down. However, for most workers the changing of the definition means that there will be a smaller or no step down. Also, instead of having a step down at four weeks, the period will be extended to 13 weeks. The vast majority of injured workers will be better off under these changes. The changes amount to improved benefits to injured workers of $130 million in the first year. That will be done in a way that will ensure premiums stay within the 2.4 to 2.7 band. The changes are the biggest improvements to the workers compensation system anyone in this State can remember. It is a massive improvement. Although the Government would like to do more, it is a massive improvement. Therefore, the advertising campaign that suggests otherwise is misleading and false. For a union to take industrial or political action when it has been putting out false information does no service to its members and is likely to have a negative effect on its industry. I hope the leaders of that union will rethink what they can responsibly do to ensure this legislation benefits their members and workers generally. I hope that it does not mount a campaign that will be detrimental to the interests of the union’s members and to a very important industry in this State. The campaign is based on a range of falsehoods.
I thank the member for the question. Mr A.D. McRae: The question was meant to refer to the Government’s reforms to workers compensation. Several members interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: I thank the member. I think I am developing extrasensory perception! Unfortunately, the Government is used to the Opposition misrepresenting it and saying things that are not true. The relevant legislation is before Parliament and people are able to obtain advice on it. The member’s question relates to an advertising campaign being run by one of the State’s major unions. I am very concerned that the advertising contains allegations that are not true and contains supposed facts that are false and that the union will take industrial action in support of its campaign, which is based on falsehoods. I make it clear that the union’s advertising is wrong, and I will give members an example. The union claims that changes the Government will put in place through legislation that is currently before the House regarding workers who receive weekly payments because they are injured will result in those workers’ payments being stepped down by 85 per cent. Generally, workers will not incur that step down, although a minority of workers might have those payments stepped down. However, for most workers the changing of the definition means that there will be a smaller or no step down. Also, instead of having a step down at four weeks, the period will be extended to 13 weeks. The vast majority of injured workers will be better off under these changes. The changes amount to improved benefits to injured workers of $130 million in the first year. That will be done in a way that will ensure premiums stay within the 2.4 to 2.7 band. The changes are the biggest improvements to the workers compensation system anyone in this State can remember. It is a massive improvement. Although the Government would like to do more, it is a massive improvement. Therefore, the advertising campaign that suggests otherwise is misleading and false. For a union to take industrial or political action when it has been putting out false information does no service to its members and is likely to have a negative effect on its industry. I hope the leaders of that union will rethink what they can responsibly do to ensure this legislation benefits their members and workers generally. I hope that it does not mount a campaign that will be detrimental to the interests of the union’s members and to a very important industry in this State. The campaign is based on a range of falsehoods.
Mr A.D. McRae: The question was meant to refer to the Government’s reforms to workers compensation. Several members interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: I thank the member. I think I am developing extrasensory perception! Unfortunately, the Government is used to the Opposition misrepresenting it and saying things that are not true. The relevant legislation is before Parliament and people are able to obtain advice on it. The member’s question relates to an advertising campaign being run by one of the State’s major unions. I am very concerned that the advertising contains allegations that are not true and contains supposed facts that are false and that the union will take industrial action in support of its campaign, which is based on falsehoods. I make it clear that the union’s advertising is wrong, and I will give members an example. The union claims that changes the Government will put in place through legislation that is currently before the House regarding workers who receive weekly payments because they are injured will result in those workers’ payments being stepped down by 85 per cent. Generally, workers will not incur that step down, although a minority of workers might have those payments stepped down. However, for most workers the changing of the definition means that there will be a smaller or no step down. Also, instead of having a step down at four weeks, the period will be extended to 13 weeks. The vast majority of injured workers will be better off under these changes. The changes amount to improved benefits to injured workers of $130 million in the first year. That will be done in a way that will ensure premiums stay within the 2.4 to 2.7 band. The changes are the biggest improvements to the workers compensation system anyone in this State can remember. It is a massive improvement. Although the Government would like to do more, it is a massive improvement. Therefore, the advertising campaign that suggests otherwise is misleading and false. For a union to take industrial or political action when it has been putting out false information does no service to its members and is likely to have a negative effect on its industry. I hope the leaders of that union will rethink what they can responsibly do to ensure this legislation benefits their members and workers generally. I hope that it does not mount a campaign that will be detrimental to the interests of the union’s members and to a very important industry in this State. The campaign is based on a range of falsehoods.
Several members interjected. Mr J.C. KOBELKE: I thank the member. I think I am developing extrasensory perception! Unfortunately, the Government is used to the Opposition misrepresenting it and saying things that are not true. The relevant legislation is before Parliament and people are able to obtain advice on it. The member’s question relates to an advertising campaign being run by one of the State’s major unions. I am very concerned that the advertising contains allegations that are not true and contains supposed facts that are false and that the union will take industrial action in support of its campaign, which is based on falsehoods. I make it clear that the union’s advertising is wrong, and I will give members an example. The union claims that changes the Government will put in place through legislation that is currently before the House regarding workers who receive weekly payments because they are injured will result in those workers’ payments being stepped down by 85 per cent. Generally, workers will not incur that step down, although a minority of workers might have those payments stepped down. However, for most workers the changing of the definition means that there will be a smaller or no step down. Also, instead of having a step down at four weeks, the period will be extended to 13 weeks. The vast majority of injured workers will be better off under these changes. The changes amount to improved benefits to injured workers of $130 million in the first year. That will be done in a way that will ensure premiums stay within the 2.4 to 2.7 band. The changes are the biggest improvements to the workers compensation system anyone in this State can remember. It is a massive improvement. Although the Government would like to do more, it is a massive improvement. Therefore, the advertising campaign that suggests otherwise is misleading and false. For a union to take industrial or political action when it has been putting out false information does no service to its members and is likely to have a negative effect on its industry. I hope the leaders of that union will rethink what they can responsibly do to ensure this legislation benefits their members and workers generally. I hope that it does not mount a campaign that will be detrimental to the interests of the union’s members and to a very important industry in this State. The campaign is based on a range of falsehoods.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE: I thank the member. I think I am developing extrasensory perception! Unfortunately, the Government is used to the Opposition misrepresenting it and saying things that are not true. The relevant legislation is before Parliament and people are able to obtain advice on it. The member’s question relates to an advertising campaign being run by one of the State’s major unions. I am very concerned that the advertising contains allegations that are not true and contains supposed facts that are false and that the union will take industrial action in support of its campaign, which is based on falsehoods. I make it clear that the union’s advertising is wrong, and I will give members an example. The union claims that changes the Government will put in place through legislation that is currently before the House regarding workers who receive weekly payments because they are injured will result in those workers’ payments being stepped down by 85 per cent. Generally, workers will not incur that step down, although a minority of workers might have those payments stepped down. However, for most workers the changing of the definition means that there will be a smaller or no step down. Also, instead of having a step down at four weeks, the period will be extended to 13 weeks. The vast majority of injured workers will be better off under these changes. The changes amount to improved benefits to injured workers of $130 million in the first year. That will be done in a way that will ensure premiums stay within the 2.4 to 2.7 band. The changes are the biggest improvements to the workers compensation system anyone in this State can remember. It is a massive improvement. Although the Government would like to do more, it is a massive improvement. Therefore, the advertising campaign that suggests otherwise is misleading and false. For a union to take industrial or political action when it has been putting out false information does no service to its members and is likely to have a negative effect on its industry. I hope the leaders of that union will rethink what they can responsibly do to ensure this legislation benefits their members and workers generally. I hope that it does not mount a campaign that will be detrimental to the interests of the union’s members and to a very important industry in this State. The campaign is based on a range of falsehoods.
I make it clear that the union’s advertising is wrong, and I will give members an example. The union claims that changes the Government will put in place through legislation that is currently before the House regarding workers who receive weekly payments because they are injured will result in those workers’ payments being stepped down by 85 per cent. Generally, workers will not incur that step down, although a minority of workers might have those payments stepped down. However, for most workers the changing of the definition means that there will be a smaller or no step down. Also, instead of having a step down at four weeks, the period will be extended to 13 weeks. The vast majority of injured workers will be better off under these changes. The changes amount to improved benefits to injured workers of $130 million in the first year. That will be done in a way that will ensure premiums stay within the 2.4 to 2.7 band. The changes are the biggest improvements to the workers compensation system anyone in this State can remember. It is a massive improvement. Although the Government would like to do more, it is a massive improvement. Therefore, the advertising campaign that suggests otherwise is misleading and false. For a union to take industrial or political action when it has been putting out false information does no service to its members and is likely to have a negative effect on its industry. I hope the leaders of that union will rethink what they can responsibly do to ensure this legislation benefits their members and workers generally. I hope that it does not mount a campaign that will be detrimental to the interests of the union’s members and to a very important industry in this State. The campaign is based on a range of falsehoods.
The changes are the biggest improvements to the workers compensation system anyone in this State can remember. It is a massive improvement. Although the Government would like to do more, it is a massive improvement. Therefore, the advertising campaign that suggests otherwise is misleading and false. For a union to take industrial or political action when it has been putting out false information does no service to its members and is likely to have a negative effect on its industry. I hope the leaders of that union will rethink what they can responsibly do to ensure this legislation benefits their members and workers generally. I hope that it does not mount a campaign that will be detrimental to the interests of the union’s members and to a very important industry in this State. The campaign is based on a range of falsehoods.
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