Reported at www.themandarin.com.au: The Australian Services Union accuses the Australian Taxation Office of engaging in “medical warfare” by aggressively minimising compensation payouts through outsourced doctors and rejecting claims, particularly for mental health issues.

The ATO, which self-manages its workers’ compensation claims through Comcare, has significantly cut its insurance premiums but faces scrutiny for potentially prioritizing cost savings over employee well-being.

The ATO contends it takes employee health seriously and credits early intervention initiatives for the reduction in premiums, amidst concerns about the fairness of its claims handling practices.