WorkCover board shake-up

Last week the NSW Minister for Finance and Services Greg Pearce announced a shake-up of the WorkCover Board to address the $4.1 billion deficit and implement a reform agenda following the outcomes of the Parliamentary inquiry.

“The scheme deficit has become a spiralling black hole and unless reformed will fast become unviable - and unable to help injured employees get back to work,” Pearce said. “Unless immediate action is taken every business across the state will face premium hikes of 28% on average. Businesses in NSW are already paying up to 60% higher than their counterparts interstate.”

The NSW Government released an issues paper and announced a Parliamentary committee to initiate the vital reform of the WorkCover scheme. “The Parliamentary Committee and the NSW Government will set the agenda and it is vital that the right people are there to implement it.

“Michael Carapiet, Gavin Bell and Elizabeth Carr will fill the vacant positions on the WorkCover board.

"Michael Carapiet is already the Chairperson of the SAS Trustee Corporation Board and was recently appointed Chairperson of the Workers Compensation Insurance Fund.

He has more than 30 years of experience in superannuation including extensive knowledge and expertise in the operation of superannuation schemes, investments and financial management.

Gavin Bell is currently the Chief Executive Officer of law firm Freehills, and Elizabeth Carr currently is a board director of the West Australian Environmental Protection Authority and the NSW Medical Research Advisory Council.

The WorkCover Board is:

• Michael Carapiet - Chairman (new appointment)
• Nicholas Whitlam - Deputy Chair
• Gavin Bell - Director (new appointment)
• Elizabeth Carr - Director (new appointment)
• Mark Lennon - Director
• Julie Newman (Acting CEO)
• Carolyn Walsh - Director
• Raymond Whitten - Director