New national WHS laws critical: AiGroup
The Australian Industry Group (AiGroup) has called on all remaining states and territories to pass new harmonized work health and safety laws to comply with the proposed January 1, 2012 implementation.
AiGroup Chief Executive Heather Ridout, said states and territories that still haven’t signed off should “complete the picture and give Australian workplaces unified safety laws for the first time in our history."
"Tasmania and the Northern Territory in particular still have the opportunity to pass the uniform laws before the Christmas recess,” Ms Ridout said.
This would allow them to have harmonised safety laws and join QLD, NSW, the ACT and the Commonwealth in time for implementation on January 1.
More than half the Australian workforce work in jurisdictions that have passed harmonised work health and safety laws.
“This is a key step in creating a modern, seamless economy with a single high standard on workplace safety, Ms Ridout said.
"It is critical that our federal system of Government delivers a uniform Work Health and Safety (WHS) system that all jurisdictions have previously agreed is an important step forward for Australia.
“While we are hopeful South Australia will pass the laws when Parliament resumes early in the new year, it is a concern that Victoria and Western Australia continue to delay, compounding the difficulties of the existing fragmented approach."