Injured workers in Western Australia will have their compensation claims resolved faster and more fairly through newly proclaimed Government legislation.
Productivity and Labour Relations Minister Yvonne Henderson said the innovations to the workers' compensation law overcame frustrating delays for injured workers and their employers.
It also entitled workers to apply for more than the $50,000 entitlement if their medical and other expenses exceeded that amount.
"These new provisions will make a further contribution to WA's productivity," Mrs Henderson said.
"The fast resolution of claims is important to injured workers' well-being and is a significant factor in the their rehabilitation and return to work.
"We made sure the Bill passed through Parliament in the last Parliamentary session and this has been commended by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry."
Mrs Henderson said the WA Government's action was in stark contrast to the inhumane cutbacks to workers' compensation made by the Kennett Liberal government in Victoria.
Mr Kennett had moved swiftly to ensure many injured workers lost part or all of their compensation benefits.
"He has abolished the Accident Compensation Tribunal and sacked its judges and replaced it with the Victorian WorkCover Authority which has no worker representatives on it," Mrs Henderson said.
"It is outrageous to exclude employees or their representatives from administration of the system which is designed for their benefit."
The Minister said she was very concerned for Western Australian workers facing the threat of similar draconian actions by a Liberal government in this State.
"Injuries or disease caused by people's employment causes a lot of suffering for the workers and their families," she said.
"Mr Kennett has seriously increased their suffering - and Mr Court must tell us whether he plans to follow his Liberal colleague in Victoria."
