SEE CALL TO ACTION LETTER AND STATE MP CONTACT DETAILS BELOW THIS ARTICLE

The CEO of Printing Industries Association of Australia, Philip Andersen said today’s announcement by the NSW Government to refuse to issue licenses to industry based schemes for workers compensation had nothing to do with the claimed efficiencies of the WorkCover scheme, but everything to do with abuse of monopoly power by a Government afraid of competition.

Printing Industries has spent an estimated $1.0m over the last three years complying with the legislative requirements in the development and due diligence of its application for an industry Specialised Workers Compensation Scheme. This was scheduled to be submitted just after Easter.  

“The Government has facilitated peak Associations to set-up industry based Workers Compensation schemes. WorkCover’s own web site features the Guidelines and Application requirements and we have followed these to the letter in preparing our application,” Mr Andersen said. 

“Now, in the face of competition that will guarantee lower premiums for employers, better case management and quicker return to work programs for injured workers, the Government has slammed the door on any form of competition.

“We have raised $8.0m of industry backing for our scheme. We have completed all due diligence and financial assessments and now we’re at the starting gate – in a race where the NSW Government sets the rules – and all of a sudden they think it’s OK to just cancel the race and no-one will care.”

“Well, we care! AND so do our members who have been putting up with a WorkCover scheme that is inefficient. Our members have been waiting patiently for a better scheme for the past three years – they want out of the NSW scheme and into a better run, better managed, more responsive system that is in-tune with today’s business needs, not more Government monopolies, he said.

Printing Industries has called on the NSW Government to honour its commitments.

"They wanted us to get involved. We did. We we spent a lot of money ensuring it would work, and work better than the state scheme. Now they expect us to walk away?", Mr Andersen said.

"The Government has an obligation to give adequate forward notice of such major decisions – or provide compensation - but they can’t have it both ways.”  

Printing Industries has called for urgent meetings to find a solution. 

CALL TO ACTION - Write to the Premier and to your your local Member of Parliament, the Premier and the NSW Industrial Relations Minister, John Della Bosca. Make your voice heard. A proforma letter is available below to help you with this along with contact details for all NSW Parliamentarians. THIS CAN'T WAIT - URGENT ACTION IS IMPERATIVE.

Proforma letter to Government and Opposition MPs (doc - 34.5 kb) Download this letter and customsie it with your own details. Your voice needs to be heard.

NSW MP contact details (xls - 74.5 kb) Fax and e-mail your concerns to the NSW Premier, John Della Bosca and your local Member of Parliament. Send as many protests letters as you can.

NSW Government announcement on Workers Compensation insurance (doc - 50.5 kb) NSW Industrial Relations Minister, John Della Bosca, announces legislation preventing competition in workers compensation insurance.

Printing Industries letter to Premier Iemma (doc - 200.5 kb) CEO Philip Andersen's initial response to the NSW Government.