Tort reform is getting up the noses of Australia’s plaintiff lawyers, with Victorian lawyers deciding they have the clout to go straight for the throat of Premier Steve Bracks. The law firms – Slater & Gordon, Maurice Blackburn Cashman, Holding Redlich and Ryan Carlisle Thomas, have taken out TV and double-page newspaper ads in Melbourne claiming Mr Bracks is stifling people’s rights by planning to cut pain and suffering payouts for people suffering injuries of under 5% incapacitation.

The reforms will be introduced into State Parliament in the next two weeks, and are part of the national move towards legislation changes that will make liability insurance affordable.