It is a fine line between either/or with Barry O’Farrell. Either he has been misleading or he’s just ignorant. I think he’s just ignorant given his lack of insight into workers compensation abuses in NSW. Targeting injured workers is proof of that.
As a former barrister David Shoebridge is no fool and he is genuine in his concern for injured workers rights.
NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell’s comments on ABC radio regarding the retrospectivity of the government’s amendments to the NSW workers compensation scheme are misleading, according to Greens NSW Industrial Relations spokesperson David Shoebridge.
“If Barry O’Farrell is going to slash benefits, and do it retrospectively, he should at least have the courage to be honest about it,” Mr Shoebridge said.
“Schedule 12 of the Bill clearly states that the legislation will have retrospective effect, taking away existing rights to lump sums, ongoing weekly payments and medical expenses.
“It is a common principle of law that changes to legislation such as this do not have retrospectivity, unless the legislative specifically changes that presumption.
“People have made choices affecting the rest of their lives based on the way the system worked. It is completely unprincipled for Barry O’Farrell to throw these people’s lives into turmoil by undermining the choices they made.
“Barry O’Farrell needs to be honest with the people of NSW about the real effects his mean-spirited changes to WorkCover are going to have,” Mr Shoebridge said.
Wording of the motion
Mr Shoebridge to move:
- That this House notes that NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell on ABC 702 on Wednesday 20 June misled listeners as to the retrospectivity of his government’s amendments to the workers compensation scheme.
- That this House condemn the NSW Premier for deliberately misleading the public, or at the very least being culpably ignorant in failing to understand his own legislation.
http://davidshoebridge.org.au/2012/06/20/greens-motion-condemns-premier-for-misleading-on-compo-retrospectivity/
Refer him to ICAC.
Courts in NSW have traditionally overturned retrospective laws with a few minor exceptions. If this legislation is passed, it should be challenged in the court system and made invalid. We need courageous lawyers who are prepared to fight this. Last year Barry tried to destroy the NSW solar rebate program by making it retrospective and he had to back away from that. If he loves ‘retrospective’ so much why doesn’t he make the failed private\public disasters such as the Lane Cove tunnel and the cross city tunnel retrospective. He could then not pay his big corporate friends and use that money to help Workcover- and I just saw a pig fly past my window.
I too am a WorkCover Victim.
I contacted a number of members of the MLC & David Shoebridge was the only one who replied & said he would fight for voiceless victims. And he did.
The Shooters & Fishers Party MLC Robert Borsak – who’s party holds the balance of power in the upper house with Fred Nile’s mob (supposed to be a Rev but no reply or compassion there) – has declared on his parliamentary website an interest in BA Insurance Systems P/L, a major supplier of claims management software for insurance companies!!!!!!!!!!!!. He was on the committee that came up with these amendments!!!!!!
Amazing that on the same day as he’s attempting to destroy the rights of injured workers, he got through his bill approving hunting in National Parks…..YUK! After this article & photo of him shooting beautiful elephants in Zimbabwe- see link below:
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/macdonalds-game-council-thrill-killer-20090720-dqui.html
AND THEN……this man deciding the future of injured workers was, according to the link below, less than a year ago
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/shooters-party-mp-faces-potential-jail-term-20110724-1hveg.html
facing possible perjury charges.
Something doesn’t add up here
Keep your dignity & keep them honest