Our star contributor, “None” alerted us that Mr Gavin Bell, CEO of Freehills – legal adviser of choice to Allianz and Workcover – has been newly appointed to the workcover NSW board! Now, now… please explain this!?
Workcover NSW board SHAKE-UP
“The scheme deficit has become a spiralling black hole and unless reformed will fast become unviable – and unable to help injured employees get back to work,” Mr Pearce said.
“Unless immediate action is taken every business across the state will face premium hikes of 28 per cent on average.
“Businesses in NSW are already paying up to 60 per cent higher than their counterparts interstate.”
Mr Pearce said last week the Government released an issues paper and announced a Parliamentary committee to initiate the vital reform of the WorkCover scheme.
“The Parliamentary Committee and the NSW Government will set the agenda and it is vital that the right people are there to implement it.
“Michael Carapiet, Gavin Bell and Elizabeth Carr will fill the vacant positions on the WorkCover board.
“Michael Carapiet is already the Chairperson of the SAS Trustee Corporation Board and was recently appointed Chairperson of the Workers Compensation Insurance Fund.
“He has more than 30 years of experience in superannuation including extensive knowledge and expertise in the operation of superannuation schemes, investments and financial management.
“Elizabeth Carr has over 20 years of experience in financial management, public administration and change management in both the public and private sectors.
“She currently is a board director of the West Australian Environmental Protection Authority and the NSW Medical Research Advisory Council.
“I look forward to working with the new Board members to get the scheme working as it should – supporting injured workers through rehabilitation, getting them back to work, and remaining financially sustainable,” Mr Pearce said.
The WorkCover Board is:
- Michael Carapiet – Chairman (new appointment)
- Nicholas Whitlam – Deputy Chair
- Gavin Bell – Director (new appointment)
- Elizabeth Carr – Director (new appointment)
- Mark Lennon – Director
- Julie Newman (Acting CEO)
- Carolyn Walsh – Director
- Raymond Whitten – Director
Shortlink: http://aworkcovervictimsdiary.com/?p=7604
Insurers are still, and even more it would seem, in charge of the system! Now it will be well and truly stacked against injured workers.