Page 405 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 24 February 1993
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The other point is: Let us give Canberrans a fair go. Let us not decide that we know better in these matters. Let us acknowledge that Canberrans are capable of making decisions for the good order of Canberra; that they are capable of making decisions that will benefit their lives and the lives of their families and all Canberrans. Let us no longer assume that we are the elite, that we know better and that we can make decisions and ignore the will of the people. On behalf of the people I commend the Bill to this house.
Debate (on motion by Mr Wood) adjourned.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (REPEAL) BILL 1993
MR DE DOMENICO (10.51): Madam Speaker, I present the Occupational Health and Safety (Repeal) Bill 1993.
Title read by Clerk.
MR DE DOMENICO: Madam Speaker, I move:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
Madam Speaker, this Bill quite obviously aims to repeal the occupational health and safety legislation that was passed in October last year and that will commence, we are told, on 1 July. Madam Speaker, I present this Bill for the consideration of the house because of what Mr Berry had to say a couple of weeks ago. It is not often that I agree with Mr Berry, but from time to time he actually comes up with some things that are quite sensible. On Monday, 8 February last, Mr Berry, with great fanfare, put out under the Canberra coat of arms a media invitation which said:
The Acting Chief Minister Wayne Berry MLA will hold a media conference on national uniformity in occupational health and safety standards and how national uniformity will be achieved by the end of 1993 ... Dr Ted Emmett, Chief Executive of the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission ... also will be present.
In line with the public relations advice Mr Berry gets from his advisers, that media alert was followed by a media statement headed "Complex health and safety laws to be simplified". I quote from that:
Nationally uniform occupational health and safety standards would reform the current complex system of regulations, the Deputy Chief Minister, Wayne Berry, said today.
"The key words will be simple, consistent, practical - and effective," he added.
Mr Moore: Very sensible, Wayne - very sensible, I must say.
MR DE DOMENICO: Mr Moore, the tail, once again comes in and says, "Very sensible". So it is, Mr Moore. Mr Berry wants uniform standards Australia-wide. He has a wonderful opportunity now to do something about uniform standards. I am aware of how you are going to vote on this, Mr Moore -
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