Viewing all articles in "Legislation, regulation and caselaw > WHS Harmonisation (all)" which contains nine sub-topics, select one from the list below to further narrow your browsing.
The South Australian Government has reintroduced to its Parliament a Bill that mirrors model Work Health and Safety laws, but retains the State's unique tripartite review committees, which can recommend changes to OHS legislation.
WorkCover NSW funds harmonisation awareness; WorkSafe Victoria announces fatality probe and new campaigns; WorkSafe ACT announces falling premiums, releases harmonisation guides; and Essential OHS news from around Australia.
An individual's right to silence and privilege against self-incrimination - "two of the hallmarks of a democratic society" - have been excluded from the model Work Health and Safety Bill, and Bills recently introduced by three states, without any debate or evidence the move is warranted, an OHS lawyer says.
The Bill that will see the NSW Industrial Relations Commission lose jurisdiction over OHS prosecutions was influenced, in part, by a push to weaken workplace health and safety laws, Commission President Justice Roger Boland claims.
Queensland Industrial Relations Minister Cameron Dick has introduced a model Work Health and Safety Bill to Parliament, but a Brisbane lawyer has questioned Dick's claim that harmonisation will reduce red tape for employers.
The Federal Government has in the budget allocated $14.7 million over two years to implement harmonised OHS laws in the Commonwealth jurisdiction. Meanwhile, a senior NSW judge has slammed the State Government's "secret" move - in its harmonisation Bill - to shift OHS prosecutions away from the IRC.
NSW employers will have an absolute obligation to consult with all duty holders on OHS issues months ahead of schedule, if the State Government's "fast track" harmonisation Bill passes through Parliament, lawyers say.
Union-led prosecutions and reverse-onus OHS laws in NSW could be jettisoned within weeks, with the State Government introducing a "fast track" harmonisation Bill to Parliament today.
