Things in South Australia have gone from bad to worse.

By the last six months of 2008 SA’s WorkCover had lost more than $300 million. Unfunded liability has reached $1.3 billion. The figures follow a consistent sever-year pattern of increasing costs.

The pattern is consistent and unacceptable.

The Motor Trade Association’s executive director John Chapman wants a WorkCover inquiry - an option that seems sensible, although the changes from previous enquiries have not yet had time to be assessed.

South Australia, and South Australia’s ill and injured workers, need a better system. A WorkCover system losing money at a rate of knots does not inspire confidence.

SA is in danger of having no credibility as finances plunge deeper into doom - not a good position to be in to affect change and help those who really need it.

While businesses in SA were set to pay lower levy rates, the blow outs in cost mean they will continue to pay the highest WorkCover rates in the country.

But everyone pays a price when a system designed to help people flounders instead of flourishes.

WorkCover SA blames the global economic crisis while the opposition blames Premier Rann and ineffective management of the system.

Whether it’s the economic climate, carried over deficits or poor management - or a combination of all three - what’s important now is change, not blame. A change in culture, a change in processes, a change in attitude - imagine if both sides combined forces to work towards this outcome! It’s time to reverse a destructive trend.

For more information, see the ABC news article here.