Jockeys win compo caseWest Australian Racing

PerthTurfTalk

WA jockeys' long-running battle to be paid equal workers compensation to their interstate counterparts has been won, with the State Government expected to introduce reform legislation soon.

Under current legislation, WA riders are paid $706.10 a week, equivalent to a stable foreman, when they apply for workers compensation after being injured in races, trials or trackwork.

Most jockeys earn far more and take out private insurance to ensure they suffered no income loss when sidelined through injury.

Visiting jockeys riding at the Perth racing carnivals have had to pay for their own insurance to compensate for the inadequate WA cover.

The legislation, introduced by Commerce Minister Simon O'Brien, will see all jockeys receive compensation aligned to their pre-injury earnings.

"Compensation payments provide income support while a worker is unable to work," O'Brien said.

"It simply is not fair for the earnings of a jockey to be disregarded in determining their workers compensation entitlements."

The fight by the WA Jockeys' Association to overcome the anomaly has been ongoing for more than 20 years.

Jockeys have one of the riskiest occupations in the country with an average of 45 claims a season from some 70 licensed jockeys in WA.

"Laurie Millington was fighting over this issue when he was WAJA president over 20 years ago," president Craig Staples said.

"This has been the biggest complaint by riders for the last five years I have been president.

"Many people, including South Perth MLA John McGrath and the Australian Jockeys' Association health and safety officer Kevin Ring, have been fighting hard over five or so years to get this change."