Efficiency review OK by union

CPSU says jobs will be safe

THE union representing WorkSafe and Transport Accident Commission workers says it is confident a government efficiency review will not affect job numbers in the agencies.

The organisations will be based together in Geelong once WorkSafe moves its head office to the city, a project expected to be complete in 2018.

The Government remains committed to the relocation and has asked James MacKenzie, former chairman of both agencies, to consider the move within his efficiency review.

Community and Public Sector Union state secretary Karen Batt said her union was happy with the choice of Mr MacKenzie, and the processes outlined by the Government, including an assurance that it would be consulted.

Asked whether she expected the review would cost jobs, she said: “No, because the Victorian Government has given us an undertaking there will be no job losses”.

Premier Daniel Andrews said Mr MacKenzie would report to the Government by the middle of this year.

Even though he said Victoria’s workplaces were the safest in Australia, and injury rates had steadily improved in the past decade, Mr Andrews said it was appropriate to review the organisations, saying workplace injuries cost the state’s employers more than $1.7 billion each year.

“We’re going to have a look at a whole range of different issues around the way these schemes are run, because I think improvement is very important and you’ve always got to look at where you can do things better,” he said.