A new Commission is to be established to simplify the dispute resolution system for injured road users and workers making compensation claims.
Minister for Customer Service, Victor Dominello announced the plan saying a one-stop shop Personal Injury Commission (PIC) is to be created to consolidate the dispute resolution of the Workers Compensation Commission (WCC) and the State Insurance Regulatory Authority’s (SIRA) dedicated dispute resolution services into a single, independent tribunal.
“The reforms could benefit individuals injured at work or on the road in up to 17,000 cases lodged annually,” Mr Dominello said.
“We have consulted widely with scheme providers and industry stakeholders to ensure the customer is at the centre of the process,” he said.
“Compulsory Third Party (CTP) disputes are currently managed by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority but will now be consolidated into a single tribunal by expanding the Workers Compensation Commission.”
The Minister said the a single tribunal would result in greater efficiencies and a better claimant experience but two divisions would be created to allow subject matter expertise and personnel to be retained in the new body.
The new body is to have an independent judicial head.
Mr Dominello said the law would be changed to transfer the functions of the WCC, SIRA’s Dispute Resolution Service (DRS), the Motor Accidents Claims Assessment (CARS) and the Motor Accidents Medical Assessment Service (MAS) to the PIC.
He said the reforms did not change the compensation, benefits and entitlements in the original workers’ compensation and CTP schemes.
