❓ Hon. Kate Doust inquires about arbitration matters within WorkCover WA, specifically regarding the number of referrals, staffing levels, and the allocation of officers to arbitration functions. The answer provides data on application numbers and staffing, including the use of sessional arbitrators.
AnsweredQoN 2175Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer report in the WorkCover WA 2013-14 Annual Report , and I ask: (a) in relation to matters referred for arbitration: (i) how many matters were referred during the reporting period and what is the increase from the previous reporting period; (ii) how many additional officers were allocated to arbitration functions: (A) what were their roles; and (B) how long were they allocated; and (C) were they ongoing agency employees or contract employees; and (iii) what is the usual allocation of full-time ongoing arbitration officers, by title and level?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 November 2014
Responded by
Minister for Commerce
Response time
26 days
(a) In relation to matters referred for arbitration:
(i) Matters 'referred for Arbitration' are those applications for arbitration lodged in accordance with the
Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981
(WA) and the
Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Arbitration Rules 2011
and accepted by the Registrar.
There were 463 applications for arbitration lodged and accepted during the reporting period. This was 47 more applications than were lodged and accepted in the previous reporting period.
(ii)-(iii) Resources allocated to the arbitration function include a Registrar and arbitrators (appointed pursuant to s182ZQ of the
Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981
).
The Registrar, amongst other things, is responsible for the administration of the Arbitration Service, allocates work to arbitrators and performs the functions of an arbitrator. Arbitrators resolve, by determination, disputed claims for compensation between the parties to a workers' compensation claim.
During the reporting period WorkCover WA designated one officer as Registrar (SC 8) and five other officers as arbitrators (SC 7), one more than in the previous year. In addition to this, a list of sessional arbitrators was maintained. Sessional arbitrators were engaged on an 'as needs' basis to assist in managing fluctuating demand in the Arbitration Service. The sessional arbitrators list was established in the reporting year. Payment to sessional arbitrators is made on a fixed fee for service basis.
(i) Matters 'referred for Arbitration' are those applications for arbitration lodged in accordance with the
Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981
(WA) and the
Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Arbitration Rules 2011
and accepted by the Registrar.
There were 463 applications for arbitration lodged and accepted during the reporting period. This was 47 more applications than were lodged and accepted in the previous reporting period.
(ii)-(iii) Resources allocated to the arbitration function include a Registrar and arbitrators (appointed pursuant to s182ZQ of the
Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981
).
The Registrar, amongst other things, is responsible for the administration of the Arbitration Service, allocates work to arbitrators and performs the functions of an arbitrator. Arbitrators resolve, by determination, disputed claims for compensation between the parties to a workers' compensation claim.
During the reporting period WorkCover WA designated one officer as Registrar (SC 8) and five other officers as arbitrators (SC 7), one more than in the previous year. In addition to this, a list of sessional arbitrators was maintained. Sessional arbitrators were engaged on an 'as needs' basis to assist in managing fluctuating demand in the Arbitration Service. The sessional arbitrators list was established in the reporting year. Payment to sessional arbitrators is made on a fixed fee for service basis.
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