Overpaid workers’ comp a ‘massive bungle’; Mac Point stadium details revealed
A review is underway after more than 50 injured emergency workers were overpaid workers’ compensation. Meanwhile a crucial step made in the proposed stadium. Here’s all you need to know from parliament >>
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Here’s The Mercury’s rolling political coverage for Wednesday, September 18. Macquarie Point stadium plans are dominating headlines, while a long awaited announcement on Metro services has also been made.
>> FIND YOUR IN-DEPTH MAC POINT STADIUM GUIDE HERE.
Overpaid workers’ comp labelled ‘massive bungle’
More than 50 injured police and firefighters receiving workers’ compensation are understood to have been overpaid on their entitlements, with Labor saying the state government is “demanding they repay the money in full”.
The Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management confirmed on Wednesday that step-down provisions mandated under workers’ compensation legislation had not been “applied correctly”, which had resulted in “potential overpayments to some injured workers”.
“The estimated total sum of overpayments is yet to be determined, with an independent review now underway to review the calculations of affected claims,” a department spokeswoman said.
“We recognise the impact this may have on affected workers and we’re working closely with individuals on a case-by-case basis in collaboration with Wellbeing Support Services.”
The spokeswoman said options for “managing” overpayments would be worked through with each affected employee through a “consultative approach”.
“Several process changes have been immediately implemented within Injury Management and Advisory Services (IMAS) to ensure compliance moving forward,” she said.
Lyons Labor MP Jen Butler first raised the matter in state parliament on Wednesday, saying it was her understanding that more than 50 employees had been overpaid and were now being asked to give the money back.
Addressing Police, Fire and Emergency Management Minister Felix Ellis, Ms Butler said approximately 20 of the workers were firefighters who were on workers’ compensation for reasons including work-related cancers and PTSD.
“You are now demanding they repay the money in full. Can you explain why they should pay for your stuff-up?” she said.
Mr Ellis said the government was “aware that there has been some overpayment” to police, firefighters, and State Emergency Service workers.
“We are working through these sensitive matters as they specifically relate to individual circumstances,” he said.
“More broadly, our hearts go out to all those injured at work, and we have an absolute commitment to working through these matters sensitively with those people.”
EARLIER: Police, Fire and Emergency Management Minister Felix Ellis has confirmed that a number of emergency services workers have been overpaid on their workers’ compensation entitlements, which the Opposition has described as a “massive administrative bungle”.
Lyons Labor MP Jen Butler said she understood the Police, Fire and Emergency Management Department had overpaid more than 50 people and was “now demanding they repay the money in full”.
“Why are you allowing our firefighters to be ripped off?” she asked Mr Ellis in Question Time on Wednesday.
Mr Ellis said the government was “aware that there has been some overpayment” to members of the state’s emergency services, including police, firefighters, and State Emergency Service workers.
He said the department was working through the issues with affected individuals.
New mother and baby unit ‘abandoned’, O’Byrne says
Independent Franklin MP David O’Byrne has told state parliament that it “appears” the state government has “abandoned” plans for a new mother and baby unit in Southern Tasmania.
The state’s only dedicated mother and baby unit was shut last year when the St Helens Private Hospital closed.
A new unit has since been opened by Tresillian Family Care in Launceston.
Health Minister Guy Barnett said he recognised how important these facilities were and that a free statewide call service, 1300 TASBUB, had been established by Tresillian to provide advice to new parents.
“Consideration is being given for the expansion of the Tresillian services to the South,” Mr Barnett said.
The government is continuing to fund mother and baby beds at the Royal Hobart Hospital with a $4m investment.
‘You haven’t read the report’: Greens claim
Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff has questioned whether Premier Jeremy Rockliff has read the long-delayed State of the Environment Report, released publicly on Tuesday.
The report found that 27 of the 29 environmental indicators in the report were categorised as either “getting worse”, “stable”, or “unknown”, including sea surface temperature, kelp, threatened marine fish, migratory shorebirds, native vegetation extent and fragmentation, threatened flora, and threatened fauna.
The government is considering the report and will formally respond in due course.
The Premier rejected Dr Woodruff’s assertion that Liberal policies had resulted in environmental decline.
The Greens leader asked Mr Rockliff if he had read the report, which was produced by the Tasmanian Planning Commission.
“The report went through Cabinet on Monday and all members availed themselves of the report,” he said.
The Premier said Dr Woodruff should “acknowledge the significant improvement over decades when it comes to the environment”.
The Greens leader interjected, saying, “You haven’t read the report”.
Details emerge on Mac Point stadium after plans lodged
Update 10.10am: The cost of the proposed Macquarie Point stadium has blown out to $775m, an application to the Tasmanian Planning Commission has revealed.
The Macquarie Point Development Corporation’s submission also details a plan to begin construction of the 23,000 seat, roofed multipurpose stadium in late 2025, assuming the necessary approvals are granted and a contract for the build is awarded.
“Construction works will continue through to the completion of building, testing and commissioning of the main works at the end of 2028, prior to AFL overlay and other events-focused works that will run for up to six months into the first half of 2029,” the application said.
Initial: An application for the proposed Macquarie Point stadium has been lodged with the Tasmanian Planning Commission in what the state government has described as a “significant milestone” for the $715m project.
The submission has been published and includes updated costings and financial modelling, as well as geotechnical and transport analysis, and information on potential heritage impacts.
It covers stage one of the Macquarie Point precinct redevelopment, which encompasses the stadium and has been declared a Project of State Significance.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the Australian government, which has committed $240m to the urban renewal initiative, had accepted the state’s precinct plan.
According to Mr Rockliff, the Liberals have delivered on a pledge to include housing, transport options, and the redevelopment of Macquarie Wharf under the proposal.
“Building on the remediation and work that has been done on site, this project will be a catalyst for the redevelopment and urban renewal of Macquarie Point, turning the site into a hub of economic activity showcasing world-class sport, art and events,” he said.
Sport and Events Minister Nic Street appeared alongside Macquarie Point Development Corporation boss Anne Beach to outline the application publicly on Wednesday morning.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said there was “still work to be done” in order to deliver a precinct that could “deliver both economic opportunities and create a more vibrant Hobart”.
“I look forward to receiving the Tasmanian government’s stakeholder report in coming months to understand how local views shape more detailed planning processes,” she said.
The state and federal governments will now work to develop a masterplan for the precinct, as well as a housing plan for the Residential Development and Public Foreshore Zone of the site.
The stadium will need to be built by 2029 in order to honour the government’s licensing arrangements with the AFL.
The Tasmania Devils will officially enter the national competition in 2028.
Metro services to resume
Bus services to the Gagebrook and Herdsmans Cove areas have been fully restored after a spate of rock-throwing incidents put the safety of drivers and passengers at risk, Metro Tasmania has announced.
The return of services is effective as of Wednesday.
Transport Minister Eric Abetz said safety measures had been successfully implemented locally to reduce the likelihood of rock-throwing.
“The full restoration of services is excellent news for the residents of these communities,” he said.
“We recognise the impact that the cessation of services has had on those members of the community who rely on buses and do the right thing. However, the safety of both bus drivers and passengers is paramount and we acknowledge the hard work Metro has done in ensuring this.”
Mr Abetz said criminal acts “on, around, or to our buses” were “unacceptable and will not be tolerated”.
Metro last year indefinitely suspended 180 bus services in Greater Hobart due to a driver shortage.
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