The Government has clarified in Legislation before Parliament how to calculate a Casual workers entitlement to weekly payments, by ensuring that any loadings are to be included in an injured workers entitlement. This is a long overdue clarification that has been abused by some Insurance companies over the last two years. Also, the Andrews Government has improved Death Benefits for families suffering grief from the loss of loved ones.
Read MoreThe Government has spoken of its desire to continue to asset recycle Victorian publicly owned assets to allow for even greater infrastructure initiatives. Whilst the Andrews Government should be applauded for its drive and commitment for major infrastructure projects since commencing Government in 2014 any suggestion that TAC or WorkSafe should be considered for sale needs to go no further.
Read MoreFollowing the events that rocked Melbourne on 20 January 2016 both the public and the Andrews Government have shown overwhelming support for victims caught up in the tragedy.
This week the Government announced that former Police Commissioner, Mr Ken Lay APM, would chair the Bourke Street Fund Panel. The Fund has already raised over one million dollars in public donations and Government support.
Read MoreThe Andrews Government has shown its clear intention to support those who have suffered from the events on Bourke Street on Friday 20th January.
Support and loss of income compensation is available to anyone who is suffering or has lost income following the events either due to physical injury or witnessing the crime.
Read MoreUntil now weekly payments in most circumstances will cease at the age of 65, regardless of a workers intentions to work beyond this date. This leads to incredible injustice for workers who had intended, for reasons often out of their control (such as marriage breakdown or illness of their spouse) to work beyond 65.
Read MoreThe Government has clarified the time limit in which to pursue a damages action if you are injured during the course of your employment. When the Workplace Injury Rehabilition and Compensation Act 2013 was released a major drafting flaw was identified when a provision that extends the time allowed to pursue a common law claim from 3 to 6 years was left out of the new Act.
Read MoreIn a significant move the Government this week announced that the ACCS will be disbanded in its current form and re-established under a new structure over the next 12 months.
Read MoreToday, the Victorian Ombudsman delivered its report into the conduct of WorkCover Insurers. Whilst the Ombudsman acknowledged some good decision making practices of WorkCover Insurers, she also found some startling practices and internal processes that were in place, designed to unfairly terminate or reject injured workers benefits.
Read MoreSpecial rules apply for workers injured whilst working casual, shift work, overtime or other situations. It's important that this is done correctly at the start of a claim as the rate of pay assigned by WorkCover is the base figure applied to all weekly wages received from WorkCover.
Read MoreA recent decision of the Court of Appeal in Victoria has confirmed that WorkCover decisions to stop the payment of weekly wages are open to scrutiny and revision by the Court.
In Jarvis v The Salvation Army Southern Territory
Read More