Work Health and Safety

Safer and more productive workplaces from 1 January

Friday 30 December 2011

The Hon Bill Shorten MP

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Financial Services and Superannuation

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Bill Shorten today said harmonised arrangements for Work Health and Safety (WHS) will begin in most Australian states and territories next year.

“Peak industry organisations, unions, governments and businesses across the country have been clamouring for harmonised health and safety laws for many years,” Mr Shorten said.

“This has finally been delivered after years of inconsistency, with an agreed model Act, Regulations and Codes of Practice ready for adoption across Australia.

“This will mean greater safety for workers, and more certainty and productive workplaces for employers.

“Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and the Commonwealth have implemented the WHS laws package.

“The Northern Territory has passed the WHS Act and is on track for a 1 January 2012 commencement.

“This means that from 1 January 2012, 58 per cent of working Australians will be covered by harmonised laws.

“The Tasmanian and South Australian parliaments will continue consideration of WHS laws early in the new year, and I commend those governments for maintaining commitment to this important national reform.

“Disappointingly, Victoria and Western Australia have sought to defer the date for implementation.

“Harmonised WHS laws will reduce red tape and deliver safer workplaces and are estimated to generate national net benefits of $250 million each year over the next 10 years.

“The harmonised laws are also expected to generate productivity improvements of up to $2 billion a year over the same period.

“Businesses and workers will ultimately miss out on these benefits if these reforms are not delivered and I call on Victoria and Western Australia to honour their side of the bargain and to implement harmonised laws.”

Media Contact: media@deewr.gov.au

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Landmark model OHS legislation highlights WA and Victorian Governments' failure

Friday 25 November 2011 Media Release

Senator the Hon Chris Evans

Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations Leader of the Government in the Senate

“The Gillard Government has pursed workplace health and safety reforms to ensure Australians work in fair and safe workplaces no matter where they live,” Senator Evans said.

The passing of the Work Health and Safety Bill last night delivers on the Gillard Government’s commitment to harmonise laws by 1 January 2012.

“The harmonised OHS laws reduce red tape saving business $250 million and improving safety in Australia’s workplaces,” Senator Evans said.

Harmonised OHS laws have been passed in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. Bills are currently before the parliaments of South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

“With less than six weeks to go until the COAG deadline, Victoria and Western Australia have failed to introduce the harmonised laws into their parliaments,” Senator Evans said.

“If the WA and Victorian Governments fail to enact these laws they are putting workers in their respective states in danger and burdening businesses with red tape at a potential cost of hundreds of million dollars.

“Everyone has the right to return home safely to their family after a fair day's work and it is not acceptable that the Victorian and WA Governments are playing politics with workers safety,” Senator Evans said.

“Businesses and workers will ultimately be the losers if these reforms are not delivered on time. I urge WA and Victoria to honour their side of the bargain and to implement harmonised laws by the agreed deadline of 1 January 2012.”

Media Contact: media@deewr.gov.au

Non-media queries: 1300 363 079

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