Proposed change to Workers’ Comp insurance; cyclists may lose rights to claim for
injuries on trips between home & work. See the BFA submission and media release.
Raw deal for Commuters
Employees of the Federal Government, its agencies and
statutory authorities; Australia Post, and some private companies
including Telstra will be dealt a reduction to their conditions of
employment if amendments to the Comcare workers compensation scheme go
through Federal Parliament.
The proposals would remove benefits for
injuries sustained on a trip to or from work or at lunch-time. It would mean that employees covered by Comcare or
self-insured under the Comcare scheme would receive no payment for loss
of wages or medical expenses that they have been entitled to for many
years.
“No commuter, whether they walk, catch a bus, drive or ride a bike,
will be covered. A motorist who walks from a car park, trips, and
fractures a wrist will not be covered. Motorists will be on their own
if their injuries are not another driver’s fault. Nor will a person who
comes off her bike and breaks a collar bone on her way to
work,” said Peter Strang, spokesperson for the Bicycle Federation of
Australia.
“The changes are being justified as cost savings,” Mr Strang said. “But
it’s nothing more than cost shifting - to Medicare; to employees who’ll
pay medical expenses and lose pay for time off work; or to third party
motor accident insurers, who will pass it on to motorists.”
Another reason given for the change is that employers
have little control over staff travelling to work, and so cannot manage
the risk. “That’s also misleading,” said Mr Strang. “Does an OH&S
officer sit in the back seat to give warnings to someone
driving to a work meeting during the day?”
The Bill to make the changes was introduced just
before Parliament rose for the Christmas break. It was referred to a
Senate Committee which conducted hearings in Melbourne last week and is
due to report on 20 February. The Committee declined to sit in
Canberra, home to most of those affected, or in any other state capital.
The changes run counter to other government measures to
increase
physical activity, in the face of growing levels of overweight and
obese children and adults; and to use more sustainable transport modes
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Growing numbers of walkers
and riders are building regular exercise into their daily commute.
“These bicycle riders enjoy their healthy daily
commute, arriving invigorated and ready for work,” Mr Strang said.
“This brings benefits to employers; and to the government in the form
of reduced sick leave and less expenditure on hospitals, doctors and
medicines. These benefits are threatened by the proposed changes to
Comcare.”
For more details: Peter Strang –
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