Key outcomes from the 9 September 2021 Seacare Authority meeting
The Seacare Authority met via videoconference on 9 September 2021. Key meeting items were: consideration of scheme matters and COVID-19 impacts on the maritime industry; the Seacare Authority’s Annual Report for 2020-21; the annual scheme outcomes against the Seacare Authority’s Performance Indicators; and review of the strategic risk register.
The key outcomes of the meeting are set out in this news item.
Seacare scheme matters
The Seacare Authority considered the issues relating to scheme viability, coverage, exemptions and the tightening insurance market, and the significant pressure on the Fund as a result of this. Members also discussed the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular the physical safety and mental health and wellbeing of seafarers and the operations of the industry itself.
The Seacare Authority has escalated these issues and associated risks to the Attorney-General’s Department, and will continue to work with the Department on mitigation strategies.
Seacare Authority Annual Report 2020-21
The Seacare Authority considered and endorsed its Annual Report for 2020-21, noting that this will be tabled in Parliament in October 2021 and be available via the Transparency Portal and the Seacare Authority website following this.
Seacare scheme performance
The Seacare Authority considered the 2020-21 scheme performance against a suite of performance indicators – these outcomes show that there is an ongoing decline in the number of full-time equivalent employees and total hours worked under the scheme, along with a decline in the number of claims for workers’ compensation lodged and accepted. There was a reduction in the disputation rate, which can in part be attributed to the smaller scheme size and claim numbers.
The Seacare Authority will consider its Seacare Scheme Data report at its meeting of 25 November 2021 – the report will be published on the Seacare website following this.
Next meeting
The next meeting of the Seacare Authority will be held on 25 November 2021.