Changes that aim to create a better governance structure at the state’s worker’s compensation provider have passed both houses of parliament and will now become law.
Minister for Industrial Relations and Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis will appoint employer and employee body representatives to the icare Board in the first step in the reform of icare’s governance.
Two suitably qualified employer and employee directors will be nominated by employer and employee representatives and will replace two non-executive directors, leaving the size of the icare Board unchanged with nine directors.
The two new directors will provide fresh perspectives, helping to better represent the employers who pay workers’ compensation premiums and the injured workers who need to access the scheme.
Legislation to amend the State Insurance and Care Governance Act 2015 for the Board changes passed both houses of Parliament on Thursday evening.
icare provides worker’s compensation for about 330,000 business and 3.4 million workers in New South Wales, managing about 60,000 new claims each year.
Minister for Industrial Relations and Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:
“Appointing representatives of employer and union bodies to the icare Board will ensure these important perspectives are heard in the icare boardroom.”
“This will legally ensure perspectives on premium affordability, timely and accurate payment of wage entitlements, timely access to medical diagnosis and treatment to support recovery and returning to work.”
“Adding employer and employee representatives to the Board is the first step to bring a critical lens upon management to improve performance and accountability to ensure better outcomes for the 330,000 businesses and 3.2 million workers covered by icare.”
