ATA QUEENSLAND BRANCH ANNOUNCES NEW COMMITTEE

The ATA Qld Branch held their Annual General Meeting on October 16th at Queensland Racing Headquarters with acting President Pat Duff being appointed in the position of President and current committee Members Troy Hall appointed as Vice President and Robert Heathcote as Secretary.

We welcome new Committee Members Neil Boyle representing the Capricornia region and Mark Webb representing the Eastern Downs. The ATA Queensland Branch has undertaken many initiatives and positive improvements for trainers in the past 12 months and we look forward to another successful and productive year ahead.

QUEENSLAND TRAINERS HAVE A SPRING IN THEIR STEP AFTER A SUCCESSFUL MELBOURNE CARNIVAL

Congratulations to Queensland trainers Barry Baldwin and Brian Smith who enjoyed success at this year’s Spring Racing Carnival in Melbourne.

The ever exciting sprinter Burdekin Blues winning the Listed Grazia Ultimate Style Guide Stakes 1100m at Flemington on Oaks Day and Brian’s extremely promising stayer Hume’s credible Group 3 second placing in The Lexus Stakes 2500m at Flemington on Derby Day.

Also congratulations to leading Brisbane Jockey Shane Scriven who guided Scenic Shot to win the Group 1 McKinnon Stakes on Derby Day and Burdekin Blues listed win on Oaks Day.

PERSONAL INSURANCE – ARE YOU COVERED?

Public Liability Insurance and Work Cover are requirements for a trainer’s licence but Personal Insurance is the individual’s responsibility and can be an area overlooked by trainers. We recommend all Queensland trainers review their personal insurance cover and take advantage of the group Personal Accident Insurance program that can be obtained through the Australian Trainers Association (ATA).

Personal Accident Insurance

In 2006, in response to calls from Trainers, the ATA introduced its group Personal Accident Insurance program.

Initially introduced solely for ATA Full Members, the Part A policy provided a lump sum payment for accidental Death & Capital Benefit events (eg: permanent loss of use of limbs), whilst the Part B policy offered Full Members the ability to buy an Optional Benefits cover (mainly weekly benefits/expenses) at a small extra cost.

In 2007, the benefits and coverage were upgraded and again in 2008.

Like the Public Liability & Professional Indemnity program, commencing from the 2008 year the Part B Optional Benefits policy was made available to Non ATA Member Trainers.

It is important to note however, that the Part A Death & Capital Benefits cover, and the Advanced and Superior benefit options associated with the Part B Optional Benefits cover, remain exclusive offerings to Full Members of the ATA only.

Worker’s Compensation Insurance

Worker’s Compensation is not addressed within the ATA’s program, because it is different for each State or Territory; with further anomalies due to variations in the legal treatment of contractors and casual employees.

Anyone employing casual staff or “contractors” requires a Workers Compensation Policy.

A trainer who conducts his business through a company and pays himself a wage is covered by Workers Compensation and requires a Policy in the company name.

Obligations under the Horse Training Industry Award as covered in Clause 16.8.: Make up pay and Workers Compensation and the Workers Compensation Policy can be extended to cover this liability at extra cost.

Exclusive to Queensland, Workcover Queensland also has a policy that provides benefits similar to workers compensation for self employed persons called a Workplace Personal Injury Insurance Policy.

Details are available on the Workcover Queensland website, however this Policy only covers work related injuries, whereas the ATA Personal Accident Insurance Policy covers all activities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is more flexible in the method of benefit payments.

Many Trainers are self employed, and do not employ staff, therefore do not require workers compensation insurance. This is one of the most complex areas of insurance for Trainers for many reasons.

Member trainers with specific concerns should call the ATA.

For more information about Worker's Compensation Insurance in Queensland contact Workcover Qld on 1300 362 128 or www.workcoverqld.com.au