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Queensland closes on lifetime care for injured workers

The Queensland Government has introduced a bill to Parliament providing lifetime care and support to people who suffer catastrophic injuries in the workplace.

The Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation (National Injury Insurance Scheme) Amendment Bill was introduced last Tuesday by Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace.

“This is another important social reform being delivered by the Palaszczuk Labor Government,” Ms Grace said. “It will ensure workers who suffer serious personal injuries as a result of work-related events in Queensland get the treatment they need, regardless of fault.

“It follows laws passed last month in Queensland creating a right to lifetime care and support for those catastrophically injured in vehicle accidents.”

The proposed amendment provides eligible injured workers with a statutory entitlement to treatment, care and support payments.

Queensland signed a national heads of agreement with the Commonwealth in 2013 to commit to either implementing a lifetime care and support scheme for workplace accidents or be fully responsible for the costs of the injured from July 1 this year.