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| Mike Elliott Leader Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
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Legislative
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| Mike Elliott Leader Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
Parliament Index |
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The Hon. M.J. ELLIOTT: I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Treasurer, I presume today representing the Minister for Government Enterprises, a question about WorkCover and LOEC.
Leave granted.
The Hon. M.J. ELLIOTT: My understanding is that WorkCover discontinued using LOEC payments in 1996; in fact, I understand it had issued some sort of manual which included instructions that LOEC was not to be used. At about that time, there were also debates in this parliament involving amendments to legislation, and I moved an amendment to have that section struck out, because it was considered to have a number of weaknesses and noting also that WorkCover had apparently resolved to no longer use it.
I have been contacted by one injured worker who tells me that, to his knowledge, he is the one person since 1996 who has been `LOECed' as they call it. I am not sure that I understand all the implications of it, but it is his belief that certain powers under the act in relation to LOEC are being exercised particularly with regard to him. That is the reason LOEC was used with him, whereas it has not been used with any other workers since 1996. Can the Treasurer confirm that WorkCover did decide in or around 1996 that LOEC should no longer be used? Is it the case that since then only one worker has been involved with LOEC and, if so, what was the reason why the LOEC provisions were used for that one worker?
The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer): I will refer the honourable member's question to the minister and bring back a reply.
