
Issue No 94		04 May 2001

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Letters to the Editor

And Macca Replies to Lee ...

Dear Editor,

I wish to respond to the erroneous statements once again made by NSW Greens MLC, Ms Lee Rhiannon recently published on Workers Online.

The facts are clear - Ms Lee Rhiannon voted to support debating a motion by Michael Gallacher, Liberal Leader in the NSW Legislative Council.

This motion sought a Judicial Inquiry into the deficit in the workers compensation scheme, the cost of workers compensation premiums in comparison to other States, measures to reduce fraudulent claims and the impact of workers compensation costs on employment in NSW.

I have included for your information a copy of Hansard establishing the fact that Ms Lee Rhiannon voted to support this Liberal inquiry being debated. Given the views of some independents this motion has a very strong chance of succeeding.

Secondly I have included the full text of the Liberal's motion that Ms Lee Rhiannon supported being debated.

The Motion was clearly an attempt by the Liberals to open up an anti-worker Inquiry that would jeopardise positive initiatives such as the provisional acceptance of liability by insurers. It would have also lead to erroneous and sensational claims of worker fraud being aired - and would have only undermined Labor Council and Unions attempts to have the current reforms sensibly and constructively amended.

Ms Lee Rhiannon went one step further in her attempts to support the Liberals. When the President, The Hon Dr Meredith Burgmann MLC, ruled the inquiry motion out of order the Liberals took the extraordinary step of moving dissent on Dr Burgmann's considered ruling. Ms Lee Rhiannon abstained on this crucial vote, thus exposing the Labor President to a potentially rare and damaging dissent. Fortunately 11 other Cross Benchers voted against this unwarranted attack on a Labor President.

Ms Rhiannon has once again been caught out playing cynical politics on workers compensation. This is in keeping with her approach to Labor Party MP's. She is cynically attempting to undermine the strong links between Labor MP's and Unions.

Yours in solidarity,

The Hon Ian Macdonald MLC

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HANSARD EXTRACT 4 April 2001

VOTE TO DEBATE THE LIBERAL'S WORKERS COMPENSATION INQUIRY

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

Page: 13072

Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders

The Hon. M. J. GALLACHER (Leader of the Opposition) [11.10 a.m.]: I move, according to contingent notice:

That standing and sessional orders be suspended to allow a motion to be moved forthwith that Private Members' Business item No. 89 outside the Order of Precedence, relating to the judicial inquiry into the system of workers compensation, be called on forthwith.

Question--That the motion be agreed to--put.

The House divided.

Ayes, 22

Mr BreenDr Chesterfield-EvansMr CohenMr CollessMr CorbettMrs ForsytheMr GallacherMiss Gardiner Mr HarwinMr M. I. JonesMr LynnMrs NileReverend NileMr PearceDr PezzuttiMs Rhiannon Mr RyanMrs Sham-HoMr TingleDr WongTellers,Mr JoblingMr Moppett

Noes, 14

Ms BurnswoodsMr Della BoscaMr DyerMr EganMs Fazio Mr Hatzistergos Mr R. S. L. JonesMr KellyMr MacdonaldMs Saffin Ms TebbuttMr TsangTellers,Mr PrimroseMr West

Pairs: Mr Gay Mr Johnson Mr Samios Mr Obeid

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Motion agreed to.

VOTE TO DISSENT AGAINST THE PRESIDENT'S -

(DR BURGMANN) - RULING

MS LEE RHIANNON ABSTAINED AND

THEREFORE DID NOT RECORD A VOTE

The House divided.

Question--That the motion be agreed to--put.

Ayes, 11

Mr CollessMrs ForsytheMr GallacherMiss Gardiner Mr HarwinMr LynnMr PearceMr Ryan Mr SamiosTellers,Mr JoblingMr Moppett

Noes, 24

Mr BreenMs BurnswoodsDr Chesterfield-EvansMr CorbettMr Della BoscaMr EganMs FazioMr HatzistergosMr M. I. Jones Mr R. S. L. JonesMr KellyMr MacdonaldMrs NileReverend NileMr OldfieldMs SaffinMrs Sham-HoMs Tebbutt Mr TingleMr TsangMr WestDr WongTellers,Mr DyerMr Primrose

Pairs

Mr GayDr Pezzutti Mr JohnsonMr Obeid

Question resolved in the negative.

Motion negatived.

*******************

LIBERALS MOTION FOR A JUDICIAL INQUIRY INTO WORKERS COMPENSATION

House Papers - Notices of Motion - 4 April 2001

89. Mr Gallacher to move--

1. That this House requests the Government to appoint the Honourable Justice Peter Aloysius McInerney be appointed to chair a Judicial Inquiry into the system of workers compensation in New South Wales as established under the Workers Compensation Act 1987, and the Workplace Inquiry Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998, and in particular:

(a) the deficit in the workers compensation scheme

(b) the Government's decision making in relation to proposals for private underwriting of the compensation scheme

(c) the cost of workers compensation insurance premiums in New South Wales, including comparisons with workers compensation premiums in other jurisdictions

(d) options for future reform of the workers compensation system in New South Wales, including:

(i) the manner of determining workers compensation premiums

(ii) measures to assist the return to work of injured workers

(iii) the functions, structure and operations of WorkCover New South Wales

(iv) measures to reduce the level of fraudulent claims

(v) the impact of workers compensation costs on employment in New South Wales

(e) any other matter arising out of or incidental to these terms of reference.

2. That written and oral submissions be received from interested parties, including but not limited to employers and their representative organisations, trade unions, the New South Wales Labour Council and any individual the inquiry determines.

3. That the Inquiry deliver a final report in writing on the results of the inquiry as expeditiously as possible.

(Notice given 3 April 2001)

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ED'S NOTE: OK, much as I'd like to keep this exchange going, I think it might be time to end the Ian and Lee show. No more ocrrespondenc ein this subject, please guys.

View entire issue - print all of the articles!

Issue 94 contents

Interview: Global Action
The CFMEU has been a world leader in fighting the war on global corporations. John Maitland has been one of the generals.

Unions: Sisters United
In her May Day address, Bus Union state president Pat Ryan looks at the role women have played in the labour movement.

Politics: M1 and the Trade Unions
Phil Davey was one of the forces behind S11 but chose to sit out M1. He looks at this week's action.

History: Il Duce Roberto?
His modern-day fan club might not like it, but Rowan Cahill argues wartime PM Robert Menzies sailed close to the winds of Fascism.

International: Cuban Call for Global Labour Rights
An international meeting of union representatives in Cuba has vowed to start a campaign to defend workers rights from the effects of globalisation.

Economics: The G-Word
ACTU President Sharan Burrow asks if there's a better way forward for global trade.

Media: Birth Of A Nation
East Timor's young journalists are struggling with language barriers and technical difficulties most Australian media professionals wouldn't be able to comprehend. But they're keen and eager to learn.

Review: The Tremulous Hopes of the Fifties
Behind the the good times mythology of the 1950s was a desperate quest for the ordinary.

Satire: Teen Angst Poems a �Danger�
The Teen Angst Gun Massacre Affair has broadened, with staff at the NSW Department of Education revealing that �gangs of conspirators� have been found operating out of high school poetry competitions.

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