The New National OHS framework
A new commitment
Australia has made significant improvements in workplace safety over the past five years and many Australian organisations and their workers have benefited from this. However, businesses operating in more than one state are required to deal with the current complexity of OHS systems and the difficulty of trying to understand up to eight different OHS systems.
The Federal Government is committed to reforming OHS and workers’ compensation.
The National Review into Model OHS Laws
On 4 April 2008, the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, announced a national review into model OHS Laws.
A three person expert panel is currently conducting the National Review, and will make recommendations for a model OHS Act to be applied in all jurisdictions.
The panel is reviewing OHS legislation in each State, Territory and Commonwealth jurisdiction to make recommendations to WRMC on the optimal structure and content of a model OHS Act. For further information about the review go to www.nationalohsreview.gov.au
Establishing a new body to replace the ASCC
The Australian Government has committed to establishing a new and independent national OHS and workers’ compensation body to replace the ASCC. The Government has stated in policy documents that this new independent body would be an inclusive and reform-focused agency.
At the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council (WRMC) meeting on 23 May 2008, Ministers agreed to replace the ASCC with a body that will have tripartite representation and will be jointly funded by the Commonwealth, states and territories. Legislation to establish the body will be introduced into Federal Parliament to enable it to commence operations as soon as possible.
The Council of Australian Governments signed an Intergovernmental Agreement to end the fragmented and inconsistent approach to OHS on 3 July 2008. This will see the implementation of uniform legislation, complemented by consistent compliance and enforcement. The Intergovernmental Agreement for Regulatory and Operational Reform in Occupational Health and Safety is available at: www.coag.gov.au
On 4 September 2008, the Deputy Prime Minister introduced into Parliament the Safe Work Australia Bill 2008 and the Safe Work Australia (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2008.
Media Release Safe Work Australia 3 September 2008
Page last updated: 08/09/2008