The IWSN have received a large number of calls from injured workers who are concerned that unions will not be continuing their campaign against workers compensation changes. We have been assured by UNIONS NSW that despite laws being passed the fight is far from over. They have also posted a message to this effect on their campaign website http://www.nswforall.org.au/
It reads:
Just because the new laws regarding workers compensation have been passed by the NSW Government, doesn’t mean the campaign is over.
Unions NSW is working on a new strategy to keep campaigning to oppose these changes. We want to get the strategy right, so please bear with us.
We are also continuing to talk to the Government about possible unintended consequences of the new legislation, including the implications of the changes about legal costs.
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KEEP KICKING BUTT!
Last night I watched Today Tonight where they had a segment on welfare recipients (the other whipping targets) having to pay back overpayments from Centrelink. A Legal Aid lawyer, Kristen Hilton has taken this to the High Court as Centrelink wants RETROSPECTIVE payments. Does this sound familiar? As Kristen stated Retrospective is against common law, yes it is!!! and Unions NSW and the whole legal profession need to use this. It is pivotal to this legislation and crucial to overturn. More than any other part of this horrid legislation, it is the weak link. Please use it !
Hi Bunny
My impression is that it is also seen as a weak link with unions and the legal profession.
I missed the programme however this is my opinion:
There is no string like “retrospective” attached with Centrelink Payments. If you have been overpaid, centrelink would ask you to return their money. In the same way, you can ask Centrelink to pay back to you, if you have been underpaid. A court might be lenient towards it, but all overpaid money has to be returned to them sooner or later, if Centrelink wishes.
Despite, new workers compensation amendments appear retrospective, they are actually not. Even all workers are covered for the legal costs for a right claim. However, the recent changes in the law certainly created some confusion, so everybody has to be patient until the smoke clears. Two similar injuries to two different people, for the same period, cannot be treated differently, so don’t lose hope as yet. Let the cases go to the courts first.
Agreed Phil. Lets let the smoke clear and allow the various groups (unions and legal profession) do their thing. There is plenty of political ammunition available as well. There are so many holes that it borders on lunacy and will be extremely hard to defend without looking like complete morons (the O’Farrell Government I mean)