One of the country’s most influential public policy reformers has called for a national system of workers’ compensation to reduce the cost and complexity for employers operating across state boundaries.

Bill Scales, who has held a range of public and business leadership roles, has proposed the national scheme as the Federal Government continues to review both occupational health and safety legislation and the federal workers’ compensation scheme Comcare.

A moratorium was imposed on entry to Comcare on December 11.

Initially designed for public servants, Comcare has attracted a number of national private sector companies in recent years, drawing criticism from unions and Labor when it occupied opposition benches. Much of the pressure came from state governments, which lost high-paying national companies to Comcare.

Mr Scales told insuranceNEWS.com.au his proposal would allow employers to choose.

“It would reduce cost,” he said. “It would allow employers to take a strategic approach to workers’ compensation and health and safety, and it would give workers in each state access to consistent benefits.”

The Comcare review will be completed by August.