WorkCover
Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (17:36): (216) My adjournment matter is to the Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC in the other place. The action I seek is for the minister to provide me and all Victorian business owners with an assurance that there will not be an increase in WorkCover premiums in next week’s state budget. Most Victorian businesses, but in particular small businesses, are under extreme financial pressure as a result of the ongoing mismanagement of the Victorian economy by the state government. This mismanagement is evidenced by the fact that since being elected the current state government has presided over more than 40 new and increased taxes. These new and increased taxes have dramatically impacted Victorian businesses, and the last thing that any Victorian business needs in this current economic climate is yet another tax imposed on it via an increase in WorkCover premiums. We all know that the WorkCover system has been totally mismanaged by Labor since it came to office, which is evidenced by the fact that the government has had to inject $1 billion into WorkCover over the last two years just to keep it afloat. Minister, in these very difficult financial times, Victorian businesses need assistance, not to be hit yet again with premium increases or more new or increased taxes. I look forward to the minister’s response so I can convey that to the many businesses in my electorate.