POLICE —
MEDICALLY RETIRED OFFICERS — REDRESS SCHEME
1035. Hon PETER COLLIER to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I refer the minister to his
response to question without notice 963 asked on Thursday, 11 November 2021 and
to the Police Amendment (Compensation Scheme) Bill 2021.
(1) Will the
minister confirm that police officers who are diagnosed with post-traumatic
stress disorder or other mental health issues after their retirement will not
be eligible for compensation under the bill?
(2) Will the minister confirm that from 29 May 2020, no
other police officers are eligible to access the redress scheme?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of this question. The following information has been provided to me
by the Minister for Police.
The McGowan government is
delivering upon a commitment to provide access to compensation for police
officers who are injured in the course of their duties. This action is being
taken by the McGowan government, whereas previous
governments had not addressed the lack of appropriate coverage for Western Australian
police officers. The Police Amendment (Compensation Scheme) Bill 2021
has passed through the Legislative Assembly and will be introduced into the
Legislative Council this week.
(1) Yes, noting
that following separation from the service, officers are provided access to the
post-service medical benefits scheme.
(2) On 13 October 2018, the Minister for Police
announced the $16.1 million scheme to recognise and support former
police officers medically retired due to a work-related illness or injury, the
WA medically retired police redress scheme. The purpose of the scheme was to
recognise and support former Western Australia Police Force officers who were
medically retired as a result of a work-related illness or injury under section
8 of the Police Act 1892.