Edition No.85

Welcome

In this edition I am incredibly pleased to announce that Sessional Member Richard Perrignon has been appointed as Principal Member and Division Head, Police Officer Support Scheme Division. In addition, General Member Susan McTegg has been appointed as Senior Member to the Commission’s three divisions.

Please join me in congratulating Richard and Sue on these important and well-deserved appointments, which commence on 4 August 2025. I look forward to continuing to work with you both on delivering timely, fair, consistent, and high-quality justice for the injured people of NSW.

Josephine Bamber will retire as Principal Member and Acting Division Head of the Police Officer Support Scheme Division on 1 August 2025. I would like to thank Jo for her hard work and contributions over many years, and I am grateful she will remain with the Commission as a Sessional Member.

I am sure many of you will be aware of the Industrial Relations and Other Legislation Amendment (Workplace Protections) Bill 2025 that recently passed both houses of Parliament on 25 June 2025. This Bill proposes significant changes to the industrial relations and workplace health and safety laws in New South Wales (NSW) including a “stop bullying at work” and sexual harassment in connection with work jurisdiction in the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW, on a date yet to be proclaimed. While it currently seems that these changes won’t have a direct impact on proceedings in the Commission, we continue to closely monitor the reform landscape and ensure we are prepared to act responsively and adaptively to areas of legislative responsibility in the Commission’s remit.

Please read on for updates and reminders from the Personal Injury Commission.

Regards,
Judge Gerard Phillips
President

Division Head and Senior Member appointed to the Police Officer Support Scheme Division

Last week, the Attorney General made two important appointments to the Personal Injury Commission’s Police Officer Support Scheme Division:

• Principal Member and Division Head, Police Officer Support Scheme Division – Richard Perrignon
• Senior Member, Police Officer Support Scheme Division – Susan McTegg

These appointments commence on 4 August 2025 for a five-year term. Both Richard and Susan will hold appointments to the Commission’s other divisions as is a necessary requirement in these roles.

The Commission extends its congratulations to Richard and Susan on these well-deserved appointments which reflect their commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in the work of the Commission.

Accessible dispute resolution venues

Since establishment in 2021, a key priority for the Personal Injury Commission has and will continue to be providing accessible dispute resolution venues for all tribunal users. Accessible and well-equipped venues help the Commission meet its objective to resolve disputes justly, quickly, cost effectively and with as little formality as possible.

The Commission is committed to providing accessibility to its users across NSW, including regional and rural locations. We now host regional hearings and events through formal agreements with Local Court facilities and an extended pilot that provides a secure, soundproof venue for parties to attend dispute resolution events virtually, located at the Service NSW centre in Dubbo. Efforts are currently underway to further expand the use of Service NSW sites and increase regional accessibility.

In addition, the Commission’s premises at 1 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, include 14 hearing rooms with purpose-built audio-visual equipment to accommodate in-person and hybrid dispute resolution events. Recently, the Commission has completed a physical security uplift to ensure the safety and comfort of all tribunal users attending the Commission’s premises.

The Commission’s work to ensure a growing network of fit-for-purpose venues has led to a steady increase of in-person dispute resolution events since the recommencement of in-person hearings. Guided by the nature of the dispute and the objects of the Personal Injury Commission Act 2020, the Commission will continue to explore opportunities to increase in-person events where appropriate. This will ensure the Commission remains accessible and promotes public confidence in the decision-making process and the conduct of its members.

More information on the Commission's venues

Workers compensation application forms

The Commission’s application forms for workers compensation disputes allow for multiple injuries and multiple dates of injury to be brought to the Commission for determination at the same time.

Where possible, the Commission encourages applicants to bring all disputes that relate to an injury or series of injuries on the same application. This is also encouraged for applications concerning disputes for lump sum compensation and associated threshold disputes, where an applicant may be required to lodge a Form 2-Application to Resolve a Dispute and a Form 7-Application for Assessment by a Medical Assessor at the same time.

Lodgements of all relevant disputes at the same time assists the Commission to meet the objects of the Act and resolve the real issues in proceedings justly, quickly, cost effectively and with as little formality as possible.

Log into the Pathway Portal

District and Local Courts sitting at the Personal Injury Commission

Due to a recent flooding incident, the Downing Centre will be closed for repairs until at least late 2025 to ensure the building is safe and fully functional. During this time matters are being relocated to alternative locations, including the Personal Injury Commission’s facilities at 1 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst.

This means tribunal users may see robed judges, barristers, court staff or Sheriff’s officers present at the Personal Injury Commission while these temporary arrangements are in place.

Call for content

To submit stories, materials or photographs for the workers compensation centenary publication, email history@pi.nsw.gov.au.

Have a question about the Personal Injury Commission?

If you have a question you would like to ask about the Commission, please email us at communications@pi.nsw.gov.au

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