Changes for WorkCover Board NSW

The Minister for Finance & Services Greg Pearce has announced a "shake-up" of the WorkCover board, to address the $4.1 billion deficit and implement a reform agenda following the outcomes of the Parliamentary inquiry.

"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," said Mr Pearce.

"Unless immediate action is taken every business across the state will face premium hikes of 28 percent on average" and "Businesses in NSW are already paying up to 60 percent higher than their counterparts interstate" Mr Pearce notes.

The government earlier released an issues paper and announced a Parliamentary committee to start 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.

 "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," said Mr Pearce.

More information including the revised board composition can be found in the media release on the NSW WorkCover website:http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/newsroom/Ministerial%20Media%20releases/020512-workcover-board-shake-up.pdf