Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Community Services) Share this | Hansard source

I am unaware of the debate in the other place, but I can see not only by the notes in front of me but I think from some common sense and I am advised that, for a couple of reasons, when we are talking about the issues staying the same, we are not diminishing the role of what we would consider in general terms a ‘medical officer’. The changes are not going to prevent a medical officer from involvement and they are not going to reduce the importance of medical information in relation to the assignment of impairment ratings. It is important to note that a job capacity assessor is in fact instructed by Department of Human Services guidelines that they must take into account all relevant supporting material, including the treating doctor’s report. They are specifically required to do that.

When we are making an assessment in terms of a particular disability and how it has an impact on people’s capacity to provide a certain amount of work, clearly there are aspects outside a medical officer’s capacity—for example, speech therapists and a whole range of other allied health professionals. There is no mischief in the intent of this. We are simply attempting to ensure that a whole suite of assessment that can be made is available for consideration, and this government amendment provides for just that.