THE state government plans to review its workers’ compensation scheme after just one year of operation, catching business by surprise and raising concerns that industry faces another period of uncertainty. WorkCover CEO Adrian Warner wrote this month seeking business input into an evaluation it aims to conduct until in early January 2007, before embarking on a full legislative review and development process in April. The move comes just 12 months after significant changes were made to the state’s Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act, which had taken almost five years to develop and implement – virtually since the beginning of Labor taking power. At the time, it is understood (then) employment protection minister John Kobelke promised to review the legislation after one year, in part to allay fears of business, which was largely opposed to the changes at the time. But peak business lobby group Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA believes it is premature to start reviewing the legislation, parts of which have not been fully tested by the workers’ compensation system since they came into force. CCIWA health safety and workers’ compensation director Anne Bellamy questioned the logic behind the two-step review process. “Until the changes are bedded down, how can you assess them?” Ms Bellamy said. Another issue raised by CCIWA was the lack of information available on how the new system is performing. Ms Bellamy said business ought to have this information before answering questions on the system. “We are calling for a 12-month delay to allow WorkCover to disseminate appropriate information and data,” she said. CCIWA also wants any evaluation to be conducted by an independent body and it wants an indefinite delay on a full legislative review. Ms Bellamy warned that uncertainty, such as that created by a review process, tended to prompt insurers to look to cover themselves in case change took place that threatened their business. “Unless there is a strong case for review it should not happen,” she said.