NSW: Workers comp changes will limit legal costs: Farmers Assoc

AAP General News (Australia)
04-03-2001
NSW: Workers comp changes will limit legal costs: Farmers Assoc

The NSW Farmers' Association says proposed changes to Workers Compensation will rein
in unjustifiably high legal costs.

President JOHN COBB says it's unacceptable that the workers compensation scheme pays
lawyers over 700 per cent more than it contributes to rehabilitation.

Mr COBB says the $422 million spent on lawyers' fees last financial year should have
been spent on far more worthwhile projects, like rehabilitation and retraining.

The association says the New South Wales Law Society's claim that workers will no longer
be entitled to seek damages at work is incorrect.

Mr COBB says the lawyers would do well to remember the primary purpose of the NSW Workers
Compensation Scheme is not to provide employment for its members.

He says it's there to rehabilitate and return to work injured employees as soon as possible.

AAP RTV ld/jjs/alt/jn

KEYWORD: WORKERSCOMP FARM (SYDNEY)

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