Unions want changes to proposed national OHS laws
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has called for changes to proposed national occupational health and safety laws to better protect Australian workers.
Federal, state and territory government workplace relations ministers will meet shortly to discuss proposed national workplace safety laws.
The ACTU has launched an advertising campaign urging lawmakers to lift health and safety standards and improve legislative provisions. It says it supports a harmonised system but believes the proposed legislation will actually undermine standards, “putting Australian workers and their families at risk”.
It argues legislation would relax laws requiring employers to widely consult with staff over health and safety issues in the workplace, and make it harder to prove cases against negligent employers.
A final report into model OHS laws was released at the end of January and the Federal Government has since established the Safe Work Australia Council to oversee the new system.
Federal, state and territory government workplace relations ministers will meet shortly to discuss proposed national workplace safety laws.
The ACTU has launched an advertising campaign urging lawmakers to lift health and safety standards and improve legislative provisions. It says it supports a harmonised system but believes the proposed legislation will actually undermine standards, “putting Australian workers and their families at risk”.
It argues legislation would relax laws requiring employers to widely consult with staff over health and safety issues in the workplace, and make it harder to prove cases against negligent employers.
A final report into model OHS laws was released at the end of January and the Federal Government has since established the Safe Work Australia Council to oversee the new system.