QCU Welcomes WorkCover Changes

Date: 10 August 2001

Queensland Council of Unions has welcomed the changes to WorkCover introduced to the Queensland Parliament yesterday.

QCU General Secretary Grace Grace said the WorkCover changes would benefit all Queensland workers.

The major changes include:

• an increase in the maximum payment by 24 per cent ($121,000 to $150,000)
• an increase in the lump sum death benefit ($195,000 to $250,000)
• improvements to Common Law rulings

"We particularly welcome the common law changes which will allow courts to be free to award what they determine to be fair and reasonable compensation to injured workers due to employer negligence," Ms Grace said.

"Contributory Negligence requirements will be removed thus allowing the courts the freedom to award payments based on justice and fairness," she said.

"These changes, which should be passed in September, will make WorkCover fairer and more reasonable for Queensland workers while still maintaining the lowest employee premiums in Australia," she said.

For further information

Contact:	Liz Phillips
Union:	Queensland Council of Unions
Phone:	07 3846 2468
Contact Mobile:	0407 624 475
Email:	lizp@qcu.asn.au
WWW:	http://www.qcu.asn.au

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