Long Title |
The purpose of this Bill is to clarify the application of section 32(8) of the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Amendment Act 1999. This section was intended to provide that if weekly payments commenced before the day of assent of the Act, all workers wishing to elect to claim common law must make an election no later than 6 months from the date of commencement of weekly payments, or 3 months from the date of assent of the Act, whichever is the later. The clear intent was that the 3 month period applies to workers who have been on compensation for longer than 6 months. Doubt has been expressed as to whether the wording of the legislation has this effect. This Bill clarifies unambiguously that this is the intent of the Act. |