NSW's second workers compensation reform bill attracts criticism

Following the introduction to parliament of the Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment (Reform and Modernisation) Bill 2025, the President of The Law Society of New South Wales (Law Society of NSW), Jennifer Ball, has criticised the NSW Government, saying in a 7 August statement that the “bill seeks to bypass proper parliamentary and public scrutiny and undermines the democratic process”, being introduced “despite the government’s previous bill being the subject of an ongoing Inquiry of the Public Accountability and Works Committee”.

Ball said the Law Society agrees that the present workers compensation scheme needs reform, but that the second bill’s introduction without comprehensive consultation, and without the benefit of the report and recommendations of the Public Accountability and Works Committee: “the Government is compounding the inadequacy of the consultation process relating to these reforms from their inception”.

President of the Law Society of NSW Jennifer Ball.

“We are deeply concerned about the Government’s disregard for the vote of the Legislative Council to initiate the Inquiry, the work of the Public Accountability and Works Committee, and the many witnesses — including the Law Society of NSW — who provided submissions and gave evidence in the Inquiry’s public hearing,” the statement read.

“The development of effective, fair and workable legislation relies on governments observing proper parliamentary processes. Respect for, and observance of, good public administration, is critical to safeguard the public interest and preserve the integrity of our democratic institutions.”

In May, in response to a NSW parliamentary inquiry into proposed changes to liability and entitlements for psychological injury, the Law Society of NSW recommended a pause for broader consultations. It was stated in this August statement that the Law Society repeats the call in its submission to the Public Accountability and Works Committee, “that the Government should return this legislation to the design stage, and engage in meaningful and inclusive consultation, rather than proceed with another rushed bill”.

The statement also said that the Law Society will examine the new bill in detail and convey its concerns to government.

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