Page 3272 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 21 August 2018
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
In the last year the government has implemented several legislative reforms to help ensure the safety of workers. In March the territory took the final step in implementing the nationally agreed model work health and safety laws by adopting the last two chapters relating to hazardous chemicals regulation. We have also made amendments to the territory’s workers compensation scheme which significantly increased the compensation available to a worker’s family in the event of a fatal workplace injury and expanded the list of acknowledged employment-related diseases.
As the Assembly knows, construction is a particularly dangerous industry, and we are committed to strengthening laws, when necessary, to help protect worker safety. The Work Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2018, which was passed by the Assembly on 31 July 2018, will impose additional obligations on principal contractors to ensure there is meaningful consultation on major construction projects, which will in turn focus on keeping our construction workers safe.
In addition, the new law mandates the election and training of health and safety representatives and health and safety committee members. This initiative is aimed at increasing worker knowledge and giving them the information they need to effectively participate in safety discussions. I look forward to seeing improved health and safety outcomes in the territory construction industry as a result of these changes.
I also note that Safe Work Australia is conducting a review of the content and operation of the model work health and safety laws. A report is expected by the end of 2018. The territory has made recommendations to Safe Work Australia that we believe, if implemented nationally, will make a positive difference to safety outcomes.
These include the changes we have recently made, as well as proposing the inclusion in work health and safety laws of an industrial manslaughter provision based on those recently introduced in Queensland. While the ACT was the first jurisdiction to create an industrial manslaughter offence in the Crimes Act, we consider that transferring this provision to work health and safety law will improve its operation, creating a nationally consistent approach that responds to changes in corporate structures over recent years.
I am also pleased to draw the Assembly’s attention to the fact that the ACT is fulfilling its election commitment to deliver a secure local jobs package. A key element of the package was introduced earlier this month—the Government Procurement (Secure Local Jobs) Amendment Bill. The package includes a suite of new arrangements that will ensure that only businesses that meet the highest ethical and labour standards will be awarded ACT government contracts. This is another way in which the government is protecting local jobs and keeping our workers safe.
This government will never settle when it comes to the health and safety of our workers. This is evident in the statistics I have outlined, in the work we continue to do and in the steps we have taken in the past year. We will continue to strive to ensure that everyone gets home safely. I present the following paper:
Workplace Safety Performance—Annual statement 2017-18—Ministerial statement, 21 August 2018.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video