The Federal Government is considering a plan to stop providing compensation for any injuries workers sustain travelling to and from work.

Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews says there has been a substantial increase in the cost of stress claims under the Commonwealth's workers' compensation scheme.

Mr Andrews says the Government wants to keep the costs of the scheme in check and changes to the legislation may be introduced this year.

"What we're looking at is whether or not particularly under the Comcare scheme that it should still cover to and from work travel, given that that's covered by other instruments, third party and comprehensive insurance for example," Mr Andrews said.

"Other insurance arrangements apply to to and from work, it is a substantial claim on the Comcare system at the present time so we're looking at whether or not we should remove that from the system."

Industrial manslaughter

Mr Andrews has also urged the New South Wales Government not to go ahead with industrial manslaughter laws.

In 2003, the ACT became the first jurisdiction in Australia to introduce the laws, under which employers can be found criminally responsible for a workplace death.

The Federal Government has since moved to exempt Commonwealth employees from the laws.

Mr Andrews told an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) conference the Territory's laws as harsh and discriminatory and says New South Wales should not go down the same path.

"Such legislation will only serve to promote an adversarial workplace environment where employers are totally responsible for OHS and presumed guilty from the outset in respect to any breaches, whilst little if any recognition is given to the role of employees and other third parties."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-03-23/govt-may-scale-back-compensation-scheme/1538474