NSW: Della Bosca to meet unions over workers comp

AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-2001
NSW: Della Bosca to meet unions over workers comp

SYDNEY, April 18 AAP - NSW Industrial Relations Minister John Della Bosca will today
meet with the state's union body in a bid to stem the outrage over his proposed workers'
compensation laws.

The NSW Labor Council launched a campaign against the legislation and has won the support
of at least 34 Labor MPs seeking amendments to the controversial bill.

Unrest over the issue escalated yesterday when Premier Bob Carr threatened Labor MPs
with disendorsement at the next election if they voted against the government's reforms.

But Mr Della Bosca said Mr Carr's comments had been "slightly taken out of proportion"

and said a "vigorous debate" on the issue would be held by the party.

Labor Council secretary Michael Costa said today's meeting with Mr Della Bosca would
not resolve the issue, but was expected to provide a framework for further discussion.

"Today will put into place a framework for consultation," Mr Costa told ABC radio.

"If that framework is agreeable it certainly will take the heat out of the issue and
that's a positive step.

"This doesn't have to be rushed. I think there is time for us to sit down and negotiate
a sensible set of outcomes."

Mr Della Bosca is equally hopeful of a positive resolution.

"My base position, I think, is the same as the trade unions.

"I think we really need to get back to a scheme that concentrates on injured workers
and their rehabilitation," he told ABC radio.

AAP nf/was/mjm

KEYWORD: WORKERSCOMP DAYLEAD

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