National Injury Insurance Scheme (Queensland) Bill 2016

As Treasurer, introduced and moved the bill establishing a no-fault scheme providing lifetime treatment, care and support for people catastrophically injured in motor vehicle accidents, defending the hybrid model as preserving common law rights and choice for participants.

“The introduction of the National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland is one of the most significant reforms since the introduction of compulsory third-party insurance in Queensland in 1936.”— 2016-05-26View Hansard

As shadow Treasurer, stated LNP support for establishing an NIIS but strongly opposed the government's hybrid model, arguing option A (full lifetime care) was cheaper and supported by the vast majority of stakeholders, and flagged opposition amendments.

“The LNP supports the establishment of the National Injury Insurance Scheme, but we do not believe the government has adopted the most appropriate model.”— 2016-05-26View Hansard

As chair of the Education, Tourism, Innovation and Small Business Committee, supported the hybrid model as providing choice, dignity and long-term quality lifetime care and support at a cost difference of only $8 per year compared to the pure no-fault option.

“It is for the reason that this bill with the hybrid model will produce the best long-term lifetime care and support scheme that allows the individual to exercise their common law right as a choice that I commend the bill to the House.”— 2016-05-26View Hansard

As shadow minister for communities and disability services, supported establishing an NIIS but criticised the government's hybrid delivery model as too costly, rejected by stakeholders, and poorly costed, arguing option A was preferred.

“An NIIS is an important step forward in providing a new layer of protection for those involved in catastrophic accidents on our roads, [but] this asleep-at-the-wheel government just cannot get a delivery model right for an NIIS.”— 2016-05-26View Hansard

Supported the hybrid scheme as giving people choice to pursue common law compensation, citing personal family experience with a motor accident and rejecting claims that lump sums are commonly exhausted.

“I believe that the government's proposed hybrid scheme will cover people, which is why I support it 100 per cent.”— 2016-05-26View Hansard

Supported establishing an NIIS but opposed the hybrid model, arguing the lifetime care model adopted by all other jurisdictions (except Western Australia) was recommended by front-line service providers, insurers and academics.

“The LNP supports the establishment of a national injury insurance scheme in Queensland, and we have for a number of years ... we do not believe that the hybrid model proposed by the government is the most effective way in which to deliver this important reform.”— 2016-05-26View Hansard

Supported the hybrid model as preserving choice and existing legal rights while closing a coverage gap for no-fault catastrophic injuries, arguing 60 cents a week was a small cost for comprehensive lifetime support.

“A hybrid model is one that has the full support of government members because it seeks to level up coverage whilst protecting existing rights.”— 2016-05-26View Hansard

Supported the concept of the NIIS but strongly opposed the government's hybrid implementation as ignoring stakeholder advice, having unclear costings, and imposing over $30 million per year extra on Queensland families compared to the lifetime care model.

“Whilst supporting the concept of a National Injury Insurance Scheme, [I am] saying that quite clearly today the government have got it wrong when it comes to implementing the NIIS ... Whilst I support the NIIS, I absolutely condemn the government's model and the hybrid scheme.”— 2016-05-26View Hansard

Drawing on prior legal practice with both injured parties and CTP insurers, supported the hybrid model as protecting the vulnerable while allowing common law claims where fault can be proved, consistent with the workers compensation model.

“In my view, this hybrid model is quite clearly the best model.”— 2016-05-26View Hansard

Supported the establishment of an NIIS but criticised the government's handling of the bill, the costing inconsistencies and choice of the hybrid model over option A, which was preferred by insurance industry and community organisations.

“Without a doubt, this bill should be an important step forward for the people of Queensland. It must, however, be a cost-efficient and effective scheme.”— 2016-05-26View Hansard

Supported the hybrid model as levelling up coverage for no-fault accidents while protecting the common law rights and dignity of those who can prove fault, at a modest cost.

“The proposed model as put forward by the Queensland government achieves this balance, being a hybrid model that seeks to level up coverage whilst protecting rights.”— 2016-05-26View Hansard

Supported the concept of an NIIS but could not support the bill in its current form, citing the hybrid model being more expensive, inconsistencies in Treasury advice, and the rejection of option A that was preferred by 75 per cent of initial stakeholder views.

“While the establishment of the NIIS in Queensland is much needed reform, the Labor government has fallen short in the preparatory work that was required to confidently make the recommendation that the bill should be passed in its current form. For these reasons I cannot support the bill in its current form.”— 2016-05-26View Hansard

Drawing on experience caring for people with catastrophic injuries, supported the bill as providing certainty, dignity and choice to injured people and their families during rehabilitation.

“This bill provides certainty for people in the immediate aftermath of catastrophic injuries, and that is why I am supporting this bill.”— 2016-05-26View Hansard

Supported the establishment of an NIIS but criticised the government's choice of the more expensive hybrid option, arguing option A (lifetime care) at $16 per vehicle after savings would have been a far more affordable approach for struggling Queensland families.

“Option A is by far a cheaper option, but this government has decided to take the most expensive option—a further kick in the guts for families doing it tough.”— 2016-05-26View Hansard

As Minister for Disability Services, supported the bill as providing certainty and peace of mind that care and support will be available for every Queenslander with serious catastrophic injuries, complementing the NDIS.

“This bill is about providing certainty and peace of mind that care and support will be available for every Queenslander who has or might acquire a serious disability, and that is something that I am proud to support.”— 2016-05-26View Hansard