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Chapter 2: The Seacare Authority – performance of its statutory functions

• 2.1 Seacare Authority accountability framework
• 2.2 The Outcome and Output for 2003 – 04
• 2.3 The Seacare scheme – national context
• 2.4 Seacare Authority Strategic Plan 2002 – 03 to 2003 – 04
• 2.5 Seacare Business Plan 2003 – 04
• 2.6 Relationships with national OHS and workers’ compensation bodies
• 2.7 Outlook for 2004 – 05

2.6 Relationships with national OHS and workers’ compensation bodies

Heads of Workers’ Compensation Authorities (HWCA)

During 2003 – 04 the Authority was represented at meetings of HWCA, a forum for Australia’s ten workers’ compensation schemes to exchange information and develop initiatives in relation to scheme design and scheme administration. The Seacare scheme continues to be included in the HWCA Comparison of Workers’ Compensation Arrangements in Australia and New Zealand. The HWCA Comparisons document is available at www.hwsca.org.au.

Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities (HWSA)

During 2003 – 04 the Authority was represented at meetings of HWSA, a forum for Australia’s OHS authorities to exchange information and develop initiatives in relation to occupational health and safety. One of the key issues under consideration by HWSA with significance to the Seacare scheme is ship crane operator certification and training.

Workplace Relations’ Ministers Council (WRMC) The Authority continued to take account of WRMC decisions which impact on the Seacare scheme, during 2003 – 04. The key WRMC decisions impacting on the Authority revolved around national OHS standards and implementation of the National OHS Strategy,

The Authority continues to be guided by policy commitments made by the Commonwealth Minister at WRMC.

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National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC)

The Seacare Authority is not a member of the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission nor does it have formal observer status at NOHSC or on NOHSC committees. Nevertheless, Seacare works through the Comcare representatives who attend NOHSC and its committees to ensure maritime industry OHS issues are considered in NOHSC fora. Seacare is strongly committed to the NOHSC coordination efforts to improve OHS in Australia.

Key areas of NOHSC activity where Seacare has a close involvement include:

• implementation of the National OHS Strategy where the Seacare Authority is required to report progress against the national targets and on its support for the National Action Plans endorsed by WRMC;
  
• the development of OHS standards and codes of practice which guide Seacare Authority adoption of standards and codes applicable to the maritime industry;
  
• NOHSC coordination of data for the national CPM report, where the Authority provides an annual data set on the Seacare scheme, as well as participation in a CPM companion report on OHS arrangements across Australian OHS jurisdictions; and
  
• NOHSC coordination of national data standards for OHS and workers’ compensation, which influence Seacare scheme data collection and reporting.

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2.7 Outlook for 2004 – 05

Key priorities for the Seacare Authority in 2004 – 05 will be:

• progressing reform of Seacare scheme legislation to ensure its currency and effectiveness;
  
• implementing the Seacare Authority OHS Strategy in support of the National OHS Strategy;
  
• adopting declared NOHSC OHS standards and codes of practice to the extent that they are applicable to the maritime industry;
  
• improving rehabilitation performance in the Seacare scheme, with a particular focus on training of, and communicating with, rehabilitation providers;
  
• examining key scheme costs drivers to determine opportunities for reducing cost pressures in the scheme; and
  
• efficiently managing the Seafarers Safety Net Fund and working with the maritime industry to identify options for the long term management of the Fund.

A new initiative endorsed by the Authority in 2002 – 03, and which was due for implementation in 2003 – 04 — the Seacare Leaders Program (similar in concept to Comcare’s Leadership and Accountability Strategy) — was only partially implemented. It is anticipated that the Seacare Leaders Program will be more fully implemented in 2004 – 05.

The key objective of the Seacare Leaders Program is to engage with Seacare scheme employers on ways to improve:

• injury prevention;
• injury data and injury performance reporting;
• rehabilitation and return to work (injury management) approaches;
• claims management;
• workers’ compensation insurance premiums; and
• commencement of direct Seacare communication with on board safety committees and health and safety representatives.
  

The Hon Kevin Andrews MP, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, has portfolio responsibility for the Seacare Authority

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