ACTU Submission to National Review of OHS Laws

The ACTU has produced a 116 page submission to the national review on the harmonisation of OHS laws across the country.

It complements the Unions NSW submission.

It's argument, reflected in its title, is The Highest Standards for Harmonised OHS Law.

All affiliates, including SPSF Federal Office, contributed to the drafting of the ACTU submission. It was a very valuable exercise in national collaboration with a broad consensus about what is needed to make work safer. SPSF Group CPSU briefed barrister Mark Gibian and Lance Wright, Consultant to assist with the key legal issues - the duty the employer has to ensure a safe place of work, employer defences, the issue as to where the onus of proof should lie and sentencing. These core issues are contained in Chapter 8 of the Review Panel's Issues Paper and will be subject of a report to be issued on 31 October 2008. The union movement would be horrified to see lower standards implemented nationally.

Prof Michael Quinlan was to other major consultant on the project.

Pretty much everything that CPSU had put forward was incorporated in the submission, including South Austrlain PSA OHS Officer Andy Alcock's long-standing proposal for "roving reps" to cover small workplaces with OHS reps.

Related links:
Unions NSW submission
Unions NSW leaflet
Submissions to the National Review - 242 at July 31
National Review of Model OHS Laws home page

Download File:
ACTU submission on harmonised national laws [ pdf ]
Contact Details
Les Carr
Ph:  02 9290 1555
Fax: 02 9262 1623
lcarr@psa.asn.au