Western Australia has tabled a draft mirror Work Health and Safety Bill, which, despite the State Government's long-term position on fines, includes the same maximum penalties as the model version of the laws.
NZ employer fined $120k after Australian killed; WA on the brink of joining national rail safety regime; and Submission period for FIFO inquiry closes tomorrow.
The Tasmanian Government has vowed to strengthen its mine safety laws and inspectorate, while NSW has moved a step closer to harmonising its mine safety laws, and Western Australia has released another draft version of its guide to mine safety supervision.
Western Australia has replaced the term "harmonisation" with "modernisation" to describe the drafting of new WHS laws for its resources sector, suggesting the laws will differ considerably from those in other jurisdictions. Meanwhile, the State mining regulator has released new guidelines and fatality reports.
OHS changes cut compliance costs in Victoria; WA handed power to contest unsafe industrial action; Stewart-Crompton reviewing SA's mirror WHS Act; Heavy vehicle operators face new penalty regime in NSW; and Long-load road rules amended in Tasmania.
Safety-undertaking pool tops $24m in Qld; Vic and Tas flag mandatory jail time for assaults on police; and WA considering exemptions to successful sentencing regime.
The Western Australian Government is unlikely to introduce harmonised WHS laws in the foreseeable future, with its new budget making no reference to the legislation, and the Attorney-General championing the successes of the current OSH Act.
Western Australia is expected to introduce model WHS Bills for general industry and for the resources sector by September, while the State's average workers' comp premium rate will fall for the second year in a row on 1 July.
