Members will gather outside the NSW Government offices at 52 Martin Place, Sydney, on Monday, 26 May at 8 a.m. This rally continues the campaign opposing NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey’s proposed changes to workers compensation for mental health injuries.
These changes could greatly affect support and income thresholds for school and TAFE teachers. The Federation encourages anyone who can attend to join the rally.
Local Rallies Highlight Concerns for All Workers
Earlier this week, rallies were held in Parramatta, Tweed Heads, Wollongong, Wagga Wagga, and Newcastle. These events raised public awareness about the issue, which impacts all essential workers.
Union officials and members from across the union movement shared stories of injured workers and warned about the severe consequences if the proposed changes become law.
Rallies will continue next week.
At the Parramatta rally on 21 May, Federation Deputy President Amber Flohm said, “These changes will shift the financial burden from the government to injured teachers and other workers. Mental health injuries are real, and judging and compensating them based on budget cuts is unfair and wrong.” She also noted that doctors, lawyers, mental health experts, and social services organisations oppose the government’s proposed legislation.
Key Concerns About Proposed Changes
The government plans to:
- More than double the thresholds for seriously injured workers to receive income support and long-term medical care.
- Increase the thresholds for lump-sum payments and work injury damages from 15% impairment to 31%.
- Introduce a new definition of “psychological injury” that excludes some current psychosocial hazards, such as workload.
- Require workers to first obtain a ruling from a new NSW Bullying and Harassment jurisdiction or the Fair Work Commission before claiming psychological injury and accessing medical care.
- Add new legal requirements about a “close connection” to a traumatic event.
- Narrow the definition of “reasonable management action.”
- Limit medical benefits for claims related to work pressure.
Changes Will Not Prevent Injuries
Experts say these changes will not stop workplace injuries. Instead, they appear to be a cost-cutting measure.
At a recent Parliamentary Inquiry, icare NSW revealed that only 27 of the current 12,000 claimants would meet the new 31% impairment threshold.
Alternative Plan Supported by Unions
The Federation supports Unions NSW’s 5-point plan called Financial Sustainability through Prevention. This plan offers a better approach by focusing on injury prevention and supporting workers to return to work safely.
The union’s unanimous decision from the State Council meeting on 17 May can be found here.
What You Can Do Now
Call and email your local Labor MP and Member of the Legislative Council (MLC). Tell them to keep their pre-election promise to support injured workers.
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