Accident Compensation Conciliation Service Disbanded

In a significant move the Government this week announced that the ACCS will be disbanded in its current form and re-established under a new structure over the next 12 months.  

Until now the ACCS was made up of statutory appointments by the Minister responsible for WorkCover (current the Minister for Finance Robin Scott). This has led to inflexibility of the operations of the Conciliation Service. 

In a welcome change the Workplace Injury Rehabilition and Compensation Act will be amended to create a Board of Management of the Conciliation Service who will be able to employ Conciliators to the service, with a greater control over the conduct and operations of Conciliators.  

I hope that this leads to new ideas as to how to resolve disputes with WorkCover without the need to litigate.