Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

Can I indicate, for the benefit of Senator Wong, that it is my intention to move amendments (2) to (4) together, then amendment (5), then amendment (6) and then amendments (1) and (7) together—if that meets with the concurrence of honourable senators. I seek leave to move government amendments (2), (3) and (4) on sheet RC321 together.

Leave granted.

I move:

(2)    Schedule 1, item 12, page 7 (after line 26), after paragraph (e), insert:

           (ea)    while the employee was travelling between the employee’s place of work and a place of education for the purpose of attending that place in accordance with:

                   (i)    a condition of the employee’s employment by the Commonwealth or a licensee; or

                  (ii)    a request or direction of the Commonwealth or a licensee; or

                 (iii)    the approval of the Commonwealth or a licensee; or

(3)    Schedule 1, item 12, page 8 (line 7), omit “place.”, substitute “place; or”.

(4)    Schedule 1, item 12, page 8 (after line 7), after paragraph (f), insert:

             (g)    while the employee was travelling between the employee’s place of work and another place for the purpose of:

                   (i)    obtaining a medical certificate for the purposes of this Act; or

                  (ii)    receiving medical treatment for an injury; or

                 (iii)    undergoing a rehabilitation program provided under this Act; or

                 (iv)    undergoing a medical examination or rehabilitation assessment in accordance with a requirement made under this Act.

The government is responsive to the concerns about journey claims raised in a number of submissions to the Senate inquiry into the bill and in representations to my colleague the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. The scheme continues to cover employees while they are undertaking work related studies or receiving medical treatment or rehabilitation services in connection with a work related injury. The proposed amendments would restore coverage for journeys between work and these places. Amendment (2) would have the effect of extending workers compensation coverage under the SRC Act to any injury sustained in the course of travelling between the employee’s work or place of education in accordance with a condition of the employee’s employment or at the request or direction or with the approval of the employer. The government wishes to continue its support for employees engaged in ongoing learning and education.

Amendment (4) would have the effect of extending workers compensation coverage to any injury sustained in the course of travelling between the employee’s place of work and a place for the purposes of obtaining a medical certificate for the purposes of the act, receiving medical treatment for a work related injury, undergoing a rehabilitation program provided under the act and undergoing a medical examination or rehabilitation assessment in accordance with a requirement made under the act. Retaining coverage for these journeys ensures the Commonwealth scheme remains in line with the seven jurisdictions which cover such journeys.