The Queensland Treasury has launched a community consultation program inviting members of the public to record their views on the regulation of seriously injured people re-entering the State’s National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIIS) after accepting treatment, care and support damages.
In a statement, Treasury said the Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) considers the benefits, costs and issues associated with regulating a preclusion period.
It said it also looked at the conditions under which a seriously injured person might re-enter the NIIS in Queensland after opting out to take a lump sum damages payment for their lifetime treatment, care and support needs.
“The purpose of this RIS is to consider the benefits, costs and issues associated with regulating an appropriate preclusion period and conditions required to be satisfied in order for a participant to re-enter the lifetime schemes,” Treasury said.
“Given the complementary legislation of the lifetime schemes, any regulatory changes arising from this RIS are proposed to be aligned for the motor vehicle and workers’ compensation schemes, as far as practicable.”
It said two options were proposed for regulating the preclusion period for re-entering the lifetime schemes.
The first prescribed a five-year preclusion period, which was the shortest preclusion period allowed by the primary legislation.
The second prescribed a longer preclusion period, either as a specific term or by reference to objective criteria.
“Option one is the preferred option as it maintains the status quo,” the Treasury said.
“This option limits the potential impact on potentially vulnerable participants and other stakeholders until there is a greater evidence base to support implementing a different preclusion period.”
The Treasury said the RIS’s key policy objective was to ensure a clear, transparent framework which supported informed decision-making and the long-term viability of the lifetime schemes.
Written submissions must be received by 17 August and the 40-page RIS can be accessed at this PS News link.
