Inquiry into WorkCover Premiums for 2000-2001

INTERIM REPORT No. 2

Inquiry into WorkCover Premiums for 2000/2001

ORDERED TO BE PRINTED

MARCH 2001

by Authority.

 Government Printer for the State of Victoria

No. 68 - Session 1999/2001

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

MEMBERS

Hon. Neil Lucas, P.S.M., M.L.C. (Chairman)

Hon. Theo Theophanous, M.L.C. (Deputy Chairman)

Hon. Ron Best, M.L.C.

Hon. Andrea Coote, M.L.C.

Hon. Geoff Craige, M.L.C.

Hon. Kaye Darveniza, M.L.C.

Hon. John McQuilten, M.L.C.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND RESEARCH STAFF

Mr R.Willis, Executive Officer

Ms T. Esposito, Office Manager

Mr M. Ryan, Research Officer

Ms K. Ellingford, Research Officer

The Committee’s Address is:

 Level 8

35 Spring Street

MELBOURNE  3000

Telephone: (03) 9651 3592

Facsimile: (03) 9651 3691

E-mail: edc@parliament.vic.gov.au

Website: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/edevc

 Parliamentary Committees Act 1968

TERMS OF REFERENCE TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

WORKCOVER PREMIUMS FOR 2000-01

That pursuant to the Parliamentary Committees Act 1968, the Economic Development Committee be required to inquire into, consider and report on WorkCover premiums for 2000-01, including:

1. the reasons for the level of those premiums;
2. the manner in which those premiums were determined, both in aggregate and for individual industry classifications and employers;
3. the impact which those premiums have had and can be expected to have on economic activity and employment in aggregate and in metropolitan, regional and rural Victoria;
4. the impact which those premiums have had and can be expected to have on the State budget and on the provision of services by Government departments and agencies, by local government and by non-profit and community organisations;
5. whether the Government can or should take action to reduce or compensate for any such adverse impacts; 
6. what changes should be made to the manner in which WorkCover premiums are determined in future;

and to provide an interim report to Parliament by 30 November 2000 and a final report to Parliament by 31 March 2001.

By resolution of the Legislative Council

Dated:  6 September 2000        

   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

INQUIRY INTO WORKCOVER PREMIUMS FOR 2000/2001

INTERIM REPORT NO.2

On 6^th September 2000, the Economic Development Committee received a Terms of Reference by resolution of the Legislative Council, to inquire into WorkCover Premiums for 2000/2001. The Inquiry includes investigations into the reasons for the level of premiums, the manner in which the premiums were determined and the likely economic impact of the premiums.

The Terms of Reference requires the Committee to table an interim report to Parliament by 30^th November 2000 and a final report to Parliament by 31^st March 2001.

The Committee tabled a brief interim report in Parliament on 29^th November 2000. This report provided a progress of the Committee’s Inquiry in order to meet the reporting requirement for an interim report. At that stage, the Committee had not reached a position whereby any findings or recommendations could be reported to Parliament.

In view of the large volume of evidence being gathered by the Committee, particularly from businesses throughout Victoria, the Committee has been unable to complete its investigations in time to table a final report by 31^st March 2001. Accordingly, it is necessary to table a second interim report providing an update of the Inquiry’s progress. The list of written submissions and public hearings provided in the attached appendices highlights the extent of the Committee’s work to date.

The Committee is planning a final series of regional hearings in north-east Victoria during late March. Additional public hearings will be conducted during April with key organisations and individuals.

The Committee’s final report will be tabled later in the 2001 Autumn Session.

7^th March 2001

Appendix 1

LIST OF WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED

List of Public Hearings

27^th November 2000 (Melbourne)

Professor Robert Officer, Chairman; and Mr Bill Mountford, Chief Executive Officer, Victorian WorkCover Authority

4^th December 2000 (Melbourne)

• Mr David Gregory, General Manager; and Ms Anita Kaminski, WorkCover Adviser, Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Mr Paul Fennelly, Director; and Mr Paul Deakin, Senior Adviser OHS/WorkCover, Australian Industry Group
• Mr Leigh Hubbard, Secretary; and Mr Jarrod Moran, WorkCover Liaison Officer,Victorian Trades Hall Council

12^th December 2000 (Geelong)

• Mr Laurie Miller, Secretary, Geelong Chamber of Commerce
• Mr Fred Ruggeri, Manager; and Mr Les Cropley, WorkCover Manager, Brentwood Nursing Home
• Ms Anne Lord, Risk Management Coordinator, Greater Geelong City Council
• Ms Samantha Patterson, Risk Management Officer; and Mr Chris Knight, OHS Consultant, Colac-Otway Shire Council
• Mr John James, General Manager, Business Services, St Lawrence Community Services
• Mr Graeme Esler, Regional Manager, Geelong Branch, Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Mr John Kranz, Secretary, Geelong and Region Trades and Labour Council
• Mr Craig Herbert, OHS Manager; and Mr Peter Ansell, Manager, Legal Affairs, Godfrey Hirst Australia Pty Ltd
• Mr Anthony Spira, Managing Director; and Mr Peter Walsh, Financial Controller, Geelong Wool Combing Ltd.
• Mr Ted Ridgewell, Administration Manager, Josie's Transport

12^th December 2001 (Ballarat)

• Mr Stewart, Director; and Mrs Diane Stewart, Wendouree Cleaning Services
• Mr Graeme Shearer, Secretary, Ballarat Regional Trades and Labour Council
• Ms Tracey Browne, Group Manager, Health, Safety and Environment, Bendix Mintex Pty Ltd
• Mr Peter O'Brien, Manager, Employee Services, Ballarat City Council
• Mr Trevor Ryan, Owner/Proprietor, Designer Commercial Furniture
• Mr Ian Manton, Managing Director; and Mr Grant Harvey, Finance Director, Valcor Australia Sales Pty Ltd
• Mr Brian Hughes, Manager, Ausworkforce Pty Ltd and Vic Brand Road Surfacing Pty Ltd
• Mr Andrew Wibberley, General Manager, Manufacturing; and Ms Kate Muir, Group Human Resource Manager, Maxitrans Australia Pty Ltd
• Mr Graeme Cann, Manager, Australian Valve and Engineering

13^th December 2001 (Bendigo)

• Mr Brain Young, Shearing Contractor
• Mr Paul Green, Chief Executive Officer; and Mr Robert Trew, General Manager, Finance, CVGT Employment and Training
• Mr Michael Antolos, Assistant Managing Director, Pacific Textiles
• Mr Daryl Rodgers, Accountant, Blackforest Timbers
• Ms Robyn Smith-Clark, Risk Manager; and Mr Kevin Gill, General Manager, Frew Kyneton Pty Ltd
• Mr Alec Sander, Owner/Proprietor, Strathvillage Newsagency
• Mr Andrew Moyle, Owner, Colonial Leather
• Ms Karen Kyle, Secretary, Bendigo Trades Hall Council
• Mr Charles Barton, Owner, Rositas

18^th December 2000 (Moorabbin)

• Mr Peter Bancroft, Managing Director; and Mrs Iurato, Financial Controller, Sticky Products
• Mr Anthony Abbott, Proprietor, Nanson Nominees
• Mr Peter Beattie, Director; and Ms Lisa Fink, Secretary, Natures Gift Australia
• Mr Peter Patroni, Managing Director, Kinetic Technology International Pty Ltd
• Mr Robin Dannals, Operations Manager, Timberstock Trading Pty Ltd
• Mr Craig Mighell, Director, All Torque Transmissions Australasia Pty Ltd
• Mr Peter Leipnik, Managing Director, The Specialty Group
• Ms Cheryl Evans, Director; and Mr John Long, Director, The Elly-Kay Centre
• Ms Margaret Aivatoglou, Proprietor; and Mr Frank Nugent, External Accountant, Evangelia Aged Care Facility
• Mr Peter Clark, Director, Belle Design and Manufacturing
• Mrs Jan Waller, Owner, Waller's Cakes
• Mr Matthew Mahon, Accountant, Fans Direct

29^th January 2001 (Mildura)

• Mr Ken McLeod, Managing Director, Strap Engineering
• Mr Graeme Burrows, Owner, Graeme Burrows Jewellers
• Mr Ross Lake, Tasco Inland Australia
• Mr John Judd; Ms Helen Munro; and Ms Donna Brown, United Panel Works and John Judd Industries
• Mr Graeme Martin, Martin Petroleum
• Mr Stone,G.D. and S.I. Stone Pty Ltd

31^st January 2001 (Swan Hill)

• Mr Gary Lowe, Owner; and Mr Chris Wood, Lowes Windows
• Mrs Sue Duguid, A. Duguid and Co. Pty Ltd
• Ms Wendy McAllister, and Ms Toni McKenzie, Grizzly Engineering Pty Ltd
• Mr Ian Fisher, Chief Executive Officer, Swan Hill District Hospital
• Mrs Lucy Packer; and Ms Wendy Blair, Swan Hill Chemicals
• Mr Tony Pumpa, Director; and Ms Khan, Accountant, Pumpa Engineering

19^th February 2001 (Warragul)

• Mr Chris Buckingham, President, Moe Development Group
Ms Kerry Elliot, Mawarra Centre Mr Ted Brorsen, Owner; and Ms Lindsay Wright, Tabro Meats
• Mr Darryl Donaldson, Director; and Mr Phil Edwards, Liftmaster Strong Arm Australia
• Mr Laurie Jensen, Proprietor, Tarago River Cheese Pty Ltd
Mr Darren Sharp, Owner; and Mr Rene Schaffer, National Meats Association, Radford Abattoirs
• Mr Haja Mohideen, Director of Finance; and Mr Brian Lemmon, Occupational Health and Safety Manager, West Gippsland Hospital

19^th February 2001 (Traralgon)

Mrs Diane Blackwood, Owner, Blackwood Engineering Ms Toni Wakefield, Financial Controller, Safetech
• Mr Peter Foster, National Logistics Coordinators
• Mr Gordan Rorison, Business Manager, Gippsland Aeronautics

20^th February 2001 ( Sale)

Mr Gary George, Proprietor, Pinky's Pizza
• Mr Geoff Lindrea, Manager, G & S Machining
Mr John Castle, Principal, John Castle and Associates Ms Emilie Falkiner, Human Resource Officer; and Mr Don Rabbah, Risk Management Coordinator, Wellington Shire Council
• Mr Peter Brand, Owner, Shenstone
Mr Brian Gordyn, Owner/Manager, Gordyn Abattoirs Mr Ian Dietrich, Proprietor, Maffra Licensed IGA Supermarket
• Mr Bernie McLoughlan, Administration Manager, Neville Smith Timber Industries

23^rd February 2001 (City of Banyule)

Mr Matt Greaves, Management Accountant; and Ms Freda Krocaris, Human Resource Coordinator, Insulform Pty Ltd Mr Michael Plymin, Owner, Henlor Sheet Metal and Roofing Pty Ltd Mr Colin Risstrom, Managing Director; and Mr David Woodgate, Britex Group Ms Maureen McKenzie, Director; and Mr Rodney McKenzie, Managing Director, The Graffiti Eaters Pty Ltd
• Mr Andrew Bryant, Manager, Bryson Stainless Steel Fabrication
• Ms Gael Knight, Office Manager, Carpenter's Body Works and Modern Towing and Salvage (Aust) Pty Ltd

6^th March 2001 (Portland)

• Mr Robert Tozer, Financial Controller, Keppell Prince Engineering
• Mr Robert McPherson, McPherson Plumbing Contractors Pty Ltd
• Ms Kerry Dean, President; and Mr Iain Grant, Public Officer, Green Triangle Injured Persons Support Group

6^th March 2001 (Warrnambool)

• Cr David Atkinson, Mayor; Mr Lindsay Merritt, Chief Executive Officer; and Mr David Keenan, Director Economic Development, Warrnambool City Council
• Mr Maurice Clarke, Managing Director; and Mr Terry McLennan, Finance Manager, Clarke's Pies
• Mrs Yvonne Bartlett, Owner, BAM Stone; and Mr Jay McGrath, Managing Director, McGrath Consulting
• Mr Chris Nolan, Chief Executive, Warrnambool Racing Club
• Mr Gavin Daniels, General Manager, McDonalds
Mr Bill McKinniss, Financial Planner and Counsellor, Community Connections Mr Brian Delaney, Owner, Swinton's Carpet

7^th March 2001 (Colac)

• Mrs Mary Neal, Neal's Transport
• Mr Ken McCoombe, Human Resource Manager;
• Mr John Scarrott, Director of Finance; and Ms Jan Ross, Chief Executive Officer, Colac Community Health Services
• Ms Lynette Genua, Genua Brothers Steel Merchants
• Mr Dean Watson, CM Timbers
• Mr Terence Loughnane, Partner, Terence's Property Services

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