Greg Hunt (Flinders, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment) Share this | Hansard source

We are traversing ground which has been discussed at length and in repetition. Let me make this point absolutely clear. In relation to the states—as we have said on multiple occasions and as the responsible minister has said—the 2004 Productivity Commission inquiry into national workers compensation and occupational health and safety frameworks specifically noted that concerns that exiting premium payers would lead to volatility in premium rates are not supported by the evidence. That was backed up by actuarial assessments commissioned by the Productivity Commission itself. They found that the larger the employer the closer the premium is to the true cost of claims and expenses, such that if there were to be any exit of large employers this would be relatively neutral to the state and territory schemes.

That is the answer. Further, the departmental assessment is that circumstances have not changed since the Productivity Commission report in any material way and any impact would therefore be minimal. This is, of course, drawn upon and based upon the work of the widely recognised, esteemed and respected Allan Hawke. In addition, I will say this in relation to safety. The last people to be raising safety issues—given the manifest failures during their last term of government—in the face of statements from industry, unions and the states, to talk about safety, are the now opposition, the then government.

In relation to inspectors, and I quote specifically on advice from the department: 'Comcare has shown over the past decade it can increase its capacity to regulate non-Commonwealth licensees, including self-insurers, from a wide range of industries, including banking, Defence, transport and communications.' That is the express, clear and absolute advice we have.

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