The Law Society of NSW has attacked the state government’s introduction of a second bill designed to revamp workplace injury laws. 

President Jennifer Ball says the action “seeks to bypass proper parliamentary and public scrutiny and undermines the democratic process”.

The government’s first bid to overhaul workplace injury laws has stalled as a state upper house committee holds an inquiry into the draft legislation.

That first bill passed the lower house but was blocked in the upper chamber, which referred it to the Public Accountability and Works Committee.

“The Law Society agrees that the present workers’ compensation scheme needs reform,” Ms Ball said. “However, by introducing this second bill without comprehensive consultation, and without the benefit of the report and recommendations of the [committee], the government is compounding the inadequacy of the consultation process relating to these reforms from their inception.

“We are deeply concerned about the government’s disregard for the vote of the Legislative Council to initiate the inquiry, the work of the [committee], and the many witnesses … who provided submissions and gave evidence in the inquiry’s public hearing.”

Critics of the planned reforms say they will greatly reduce injured workers’ access to benefits, particularly for those with mental health claims.

The government says that without reforms, workers’ compensation premiums will increase 36% over three years even if employers have no claims against them.