The NSW Opposition will support sensible reforms to the workers compensation scheme but Labor needs to agree to smart, fair amendments that protect small business, working families and people with genuine psychological injuries.
The Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, dropped into Parliament just last week, is being rushed through by the Minns Labor Government under the false claim it must be passed by 1 July.
In fact, premiums for the 2025–26 financial year are already locked in at an 8% increase, and the next premium filing isn't due until March 2026.
NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said we support reform, but we won't support a system that kicks severely injured people off support at 2.5 years with no justification or shifts public costs onto small business.
"These are serious changes, and they deserve serious scrutiny. We're offering alternative amendments to make the scheme fair, sustainable, and focused on the people it's meant to serve," Mr Speakman said.
NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said in the regions, we see what pressure does to frontline workers, small business owners and communities.
"The last thing they need is a government making it harder to get help or asking them to pay for problems in Macquarie Street. These reforms need to be realistic and that's what we're pushing Labor to deliver," Mr Saunders said.
Shadow Treasurer Damien Tudehope said the numbers don't stack up. There's no modelling showing how the harshest parts of this Bill save money—just spin.
"We back responsible cost savings, but not at the expense of the people who hold up our economy," Mr Tudehope said.
The Opposition will move amendments to:
- Scrap the proposed 31% impairment threshold for psychological injury.
- Make savings instead by tightening bullying claims and removing vague or unworkable claim triggers like "excessive work demands".
- Keep independent assessments with the Personal Injury Commission.
- Retain Parliament's oversight of how injuries are assessed.
- Stop private business from subsidising public sector disputes.
If there is no satisfactory outcome of these amendments, the Opposition will seek to refer the Bill to an upper house inquiry for proper scrutiny.
Workers deserve dignity. Businesses deserve fairness. The public deserves better than a rush job.
