18 Oct 2013
Letter to the Editor from TAC CEO Janet Dore
Public commentary from the legal fraternity about proposed new changes to the Transport Accident Act 1986 has been both misleading and unnecessarily alarming.
The TAC is committed to supporting Victorians who are injured or lose their loved ones in a transport accident.
These proposed legislative changes will increase some of the benefits available to regional Victorians, as well as ensure the scheme's long term viability to help all Victorians who need TAC support into the future.
We've increased family counselling from $5,870 to $15,000 ensuring families have access to more support at such a difficult time. Other new supports include increased funeral expenses and increased family travel expenses.
For the first time, we will have a modern definition of serious mental injury. This will ensure that mental injury claims are treated consistently and encourage people to access treatment early. This will not exclude Victorians with a mental injury from funded TAC support or from compensation. What it does do, is clarify the access to common law damages and make the law clearer.
The proposed changes will simply bring mental injuries in line with physical injuries, in that only people with severe mental injuries can sue for damages. This will make the transport accident scheme fairer for all injured Victorians.
These proposed amendments help us ensure that injured Victorians are getting the compensation they are reasonably entitled to and ensure the TAC scheme is strong into the future.
Our commitment is to the survivors of road accidents and their families. It is essential that we maintain our focus on those people.
Janet Dore
Chief Executive Officer
Transport Accident Commission
60 Brougham St
GEELONG VIC 3220