Workcover premiums plea

Victorian businesses are calling for cheaper workcover premiums following a bumper $1.17 billion profit for the Victorian Workplace Authority in 2006-07.

The increased profit came despite marginal growth in investment returns and as a result of improved insurance operations. Victorian businesses have won a cut in premiums in each of the past four state budgets.

Meanwhile, NSW businesses hope that occupational health and safety is one of the issues the NSW Government will reform in the spring session of parliament that started today. But not before the federal election.

Paul Ritchie, NSW Business Chamber spokesman, told the Australian Financial Review that he is resigned to the fact that the NSW Government will be in a holding pattern under after the federal election.