Upcoming events – Spring 2023
Learn more about upcoming events and workshops that LGIS are taking part in.
CEO LGIS
[email protected]
The first quarter of 2023/24 has been a busy one for your Scheme; our member services team has been out on the road visiting members, and I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to continue to meet members and discuss the issues that matter to you.
As this update is being written our auditors are finalising the financial results for 2022/23 and they look promising, with a small surplus predicted. This is a positive result for the mutual Scheme which doesn’t operate to make a profit, but rather to serve and protect the local government sector. The Annual Financial Report is due to be released in late October and will be available online and in hard copy to members.
Pleasingly all members chose to renew for 2023/24 confirming that a mutual approach remains the best option for long-term sustainable protection for the sector.
At the end of 2022/23 we bid farewell to two board members – Aaron Cook, CEO of the Shire of Gingin and independent Tony Evans, their contributions will be missed. We were also pleased to welcome two new board members – Ben Rose, CEO of the Shire of Donnybrook Balingup and independent director Kelly Hick.
The South West WorkCare Forum in Bunbury saw participation from over 60 local government leaders and professionals and explored relevant conversations over fitness for work and worker’s compensation. We were also present at the WALGA Convention this year to show our commitment.
In this edition, our feature explores the lessons from some of our largest and most complex claims in the last five years. Claims expenditure is the key factor influencing member contribution costs – in 2022/23 LGIS received over 2,300 claims and paid out over $43.8 million. There are lessons for all members from these major claims – not to say that they necessarily could’ve been avoided, but there are actions that could have been taken to reduce the severity of these losses (e.g. quantum, lost time and reputation).
We also look at the cyber pilot program results and dive into the benefits of our new Early Notification program.
Rolled-out in 2022, the cyber pilot program highlighted a number of deficiencies across the cyber control environment with most local governments rating less than one (1) on the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) Essential 8 maturity scale.
The spotlight is also on injury management as we look at how proactive treatment can improve outcomes for claimants, employers and the Scheme. Launched on 1 July 2023, the Early Notification program
is Scheme funded and empowers our members to support their employees and improve their health and wellbeing outcomes.
The results for the Great West Aussie Adventure are out and we have some amazing feedback from our members. Take a read of what our participating members have to say about the activity challenge.
Finally, our Ask an Expert column delves into important conversations around managing workers on prescribed medical cannabis, and how can aquatic facilities maintain regular testing of equipotential bonding (earthing).
I do hope you enjoy this edition, and if you have a question for our Ask an Expert column please send it through to me or our editorial team at pia. [email protected] or [email protected]
As always, if you have any questions about the magazine, or if you’d like to discuss any matter regarding your membership, cover, claims, or risk management services with LGIS, please contact me directly on 9483 8886.
Learn more about upcoming events and workshops that LGIS are taking part in.
Western Australia is home to 129 public aquatic facilities and thousands more school, hotel/motel and back yard pools. While many know of the risks within these facilities such as lack of patron supervision, inappropriate use of shallow water and issues associated with slips, trips and falls – non-compliance with equipotential bonding (earthing) requirements can present a relatively unknown or hidden risk.
Medicinal cannabis is a therapy that has generated increased national attention over the past two years.
The first quarter of 2023/24 has been a busy one for your Scheme; our member services team has been out on the road visiting members, and I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to continue to meet members and discuss the issues that matter to you.
In 2022/23 LGIS received over 2,300 claims and paid out over $43.8 million. It’s a similar story most years with LGIS handling more than 2,000 claims across property, liability, workers’ compensation, motor and volunteer bushfire fighter protection.
An outside worker in his early 40s sustained a significant workplace injury to his lower back at a local government owned/ operated facility while trying to assist a ratepayer who had attended the facility.
LGIS is the unifying name for the dedicated suite of risk financing and management services for WA local governments, established by the WA Local Government Association in conjunction with JLT Public Sector (part of the Marsh group of companies). LGIS is managed by JLT Public Sector (ABN 69 009 098 864 AFS Licence 226827).
Risk Matters, via this website, is designed to keep members, their staff and elected members informed on topical risk management and insurance issues and LGIS programs and services.
