Rod supported the motion to make it easier for individuals who are suffering from workplace mental injury to have their claim for assistance animals covered by WorkCover.

See my speech here:

I rise to speak on Motion 622 regarding the reformation of WorkSafe’s Non-established, New and Emerging Treatments and Services policy.

I will be supporting this motion today.

We know that injury in the workplace can mean many things and can have diverse and devastating consequences.

WorkSafe exists to both protect employees in their workplace and provide support to those whose workplace has failed to keep them safe.

This motion will make important reforms that ensure those who need access to new or emerging treatments such as assistance dog or equine therapy are not unfairly denied.

Those who have experienced physical and or mental injuries at work did not seek to injure themselves, yet they will likely live with this injury for the rest of their lives.

Animal therapies can be a highly effective complementary treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) alongside traditional psychological and cognitive brain therapies.

This motion is about compassion and supporting those who have found themselves in a highly vulnerable state through no fault of their own.

Making these complex claim processes simpler and allowing those with PTSI to access Workcover for assistance dogs will make all the difference for these individuals.

I commend this motion to the house.