Business Hunter CEO Encourages Optus To Compensate Local Businesses

BY HOLLY FISHLOCK

Following yesterday's Optus outage, the CEO of Business Hunter says he's hopeful local Optus customers will be offered some kind of compensation.

Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin said yesterday the provider would consider the possibility of compensation for customers.

But, despite thousands of businesses losing millions of dollars during the outage, Optus is yet to confirm if any compensation will be offered.

Bob Hawes says customers are anxiously awaiting answers.

"I'm hopeful that Optus will be wanting to preserve it's customer base and do the right thing by it's loyal customers and make some announcements," he said. 

Mr Hawes said local business owners are exploring their options.

"I'm sure more questions will be asked by businesses now; a lot more focus and importance will be placed on decisions made about who they go with, and what sort of system support is in place.

He also reports owners are already questioning whether or not their business interruption insurance will kick-in, as they await more news from the TELCO. 

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland is urging business in the region to hold into their receipts to show proof of economic loss. 

Hundreds of Injured Hunter Workers Involved in iCare Scandal, To Be Cut From Workers Compensation

BY KEELY JOHNSON

476 injured workers from the Hunter region will be cut off from the State's workers compensation scheme by the end of the year.

iCare is responsible for providing insurance compensation to more than 326 thousand public and private sector employers in NSW and their 3.6 million employees.

The agency, however, is currently involved in an $80-million-dollar underpayment scandal and is being accused of serious mismanagement and unethical practices.

"The great disappointment of this government's mismanagement of iCare and the workers compensation fund is that actual injured workers who are meant to be looked after by this scheme are instead either getting kicked-off the scheme or being underpaid while they're on the scheme," said Cessnock MP Clayton Barr.

Removing income support from hundreds of sick and injured workers is set to hit the region hard.

"On a regional basis... kicking injured workers off the scheme means they suddenly don't have enough money to keep a roof over their head, put food on the table and what little money they might have had to put back into the community to small businesses is taken away," said Clayton Barr.

"I have personally dealt with injured workers in the Hunter who have tried to commit suicide, tried to self-harm, essentially become homeless, become disconnected from their families through the poverty that has been imposed on them," said Clayton Barr.

Image source: ABC News

No Compensation Money For Williamtown PFAS Victims

BY IAN CROUCH

Williamtown residents affected by PFAS contamination are furious after the Defence Department admitted there's been no money put aside to pay compensation.

Instead, $53 million has been allocated to a fighting fund for legal fees to defend six matters including 3 class action lawsuits.

The revelation has angered Coalition Against PFAS President, Lindsay Clout who says Defence is continuing to deny, deflect and distract while residents suffer.

Senate estimates has been told Defence has allocated $205 million for PFAS investigations at 27 sites which will produce management plans to inform and advise on remediation strategies.

One of many signs erected by angry Williamtown residents over the PFAS crisis