ContactThe WorkCover Board Tasmania has four committees that provide advice on matters relating to the Board’s areas of oversight. The Board also has two representative panels that provide expert advice and facilitate communication with practitioners. The Medical Advisory Panel comprises medical practitioners, and the Rehabilitation Advisory Panel comprises experts in workplace rehabilitation. Both panels report to the Rehabilitation and Compensation Committee.
The following sections describe the make-up and purpose of the committees and panels in the Board's organisation structure.
Governance and Audit Committee
Purpose: To monitor and advise the Board on matters relating to governance, audit and risk management.
Members: Geoffrey Tremayne (Chair), Sofia Mavratzas, Jessica Munday.
Matters of oversight:
- common seal usage
- complaint handling policy
- internal audit
- external audit
- personal information protection policy
- public interest disclosures procedure
- stakeholder engagement policy
- use of and changes to the Board’s instrument of delegation
- WorkCover Tasmania risk profile reporting.
Legislative Review Advisory Committee
Purpose: To advise the Board on the legislative and legal aspects of the Board’s roles and functions, particularly in relation to legislative reform.
Members: Geoffrey Tremayne (Chair), Kristy Bourne, Richard Grueber.
Matters of oversight:
- ongoing review of current impairment guidelines
- WorkSafe Tasmania’s legislative agenda
- potential amendments to legislation.
Rehabilitation and Compensation Committee
Purpose: To monitor and advise the Board on matters relating to the efficient and effective operation of Tasmania’s workers compensation scheme.
Members: Julieann Buchanan (Chair), Sofia Mavratzas, Robert Walters.
Matters of oversight:
- the Medical Advisory Panel and the Rehabilitation Advisory Panel
- injury management co-ordinator training project
- principles of practice and accreditation of workplace rehabilitation providers
- post-traumatic stress disorder project.
Medical Advisory Panel
Purpose: To assist the Rehabilitation and Compensation Committee by providing advice on matters including developments within the medical profession and injury management.
Members: Dr Robert Walters, Chair; Dr John Saul, Australian Medical Association; Dr Ian Gardner, Royal Australasian College of Physicians (Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine); Dr Megan Baker, Australian College of General Practitioners; Dr Ben Dodds, Rural Doctors Association.
Matters of oversight:
- independent medical review guidelines feedback
- consideration of management pain intervention guidelines
- review of terminology of independent medical review guidelines
- review of the assessment of permanent impairment guidelines.
Rehabilitation Advisory Panel
Purpose: To assist the Rehabilitation and Compensation Committee by providing advice on matters including developments within the injury management profession and return to work.
Members: Julieann Buchanan, Chair; Frank Imbesi, Australian Rehabilitation Providers Association; Anne-Marie Dean, Tasmanian Association of Vocational Rehabilitation Providers; Julia Drew, Injury Management Coordinators Association of Tasmania (commenced 12 January 2023); Dr Boris Fedoric, Australian Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors; Professor Angela Martin, academic representative working in the area of vocational rehabilitation nominated by the University of Tasmania.
Matters of oversight:
- injury management co-ordinator training project
- post-traumatic stress disorder project feedback
- workplace rehabilitation provider accreditation program.
Work Health and Safety Committee
Purpose: To monitor and advise the Board on matters relating to Tasmania’s work health and safety performance and opportunities for work health and safety improvement.
Members: Robert Walters (Chair), Julieann Buchanan, Jessica Munday.
Matters of oversight:
- Advisory Service
- Healthier, Safer and Productive Workplace Grant Program
- industry snapshots
- workplace injury reports
- WorkSafe Awards
- WorkSafe Month.