WORKCOVER GAG - BEWARE THE GUILLOTINE?

8 April 2008

Today SA Unions was invited to brief members of the ALP caucus prior to the caucus meeting.

Caucus members then requested that we be heard by the full caucus meeting - but this was an exercise in futility.  A motion to caucus that Unions be heard was stymied by the Premier."

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says it shows an increasingly authoritarian Premier who has lost his way in relation to Labor values and the needs of the working families he purports to represent.

"On one hand unions were gagged, and on the other hand, senior members were deaf to reason, despite this being probably the most challenging test confronting the ALP since it took office."

"The ALP leadership's flagrant refusal to listen to reason or consider any view other than its own is an ominous sign that it may try to guillotine this Bill through Parliament today."

"Yet a reasonable alternative exists.  We have put a detailed, carefully constructed plan to government that would fix WorkCover's unfunded liability without hurting workers.  It beggars belief that the government won't consider it."

"We will be maintaining our scrutiny of the Bill as it's considered today.  And the community's deep concern about this Bill will continue to be shown through public protests, lobbying of MP's and ongoing actions and protests by union members, injured workers and their families and fair minded citizens who expect better fro their elected leaders", Ms Giles says.

"SA Unions wants a positive, constructive solution to this issue.  We are happy to meet anytime anywhere for genuine negotiations to sort this out in the best interests of workers and the finances of the WorkCover scheme.