There are less than two weeks left to make written submissions to the National Review into Model OHS Laws.

An issues paper on the harmonisation of OHS laws in Australia was released on 30 May 2008 with an invitation to anyone with an interest to make a submission by 11 July2008.

The public comment period allows everyone to express views that can be considered in the preparation of reports to the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council in October and January.

Relevant information about the review and the submissions process, including a copy of the issues paper, is available at www.nationalohsreview.gov.au. All submissions to the review must be accompanied by the Public Submission Cover Sheet.

The Chair of the review panel, Robin Stewart-Crompton, said, ‘The issues paper is a guide to those making a submission and should not be seen as restrictive.

‘Any matters within the review’s terms of reference can be raised in a submission. It might respond to all or some of the questions that are included in the issues paper. If they are not relevant to a person making a submission, only matters that are important to that person need be covered.

‘All submissions will be published on the review’s web site unless clearly marked “Confidential” or found to contain content unsuitable for publication.’

For more information about the review or making a submission, please visit the review website at http://nationalohsreview.gov.au.

Enquiries to the National OHS Review Secretariat can be made by email at enquiries@nationalohsreview.gov.au or by phoning 1300 131 798.

Background

• Various bodies, including the Council of Australian Governments and the Productivity Commission, recognise the importance of harmonising these OHS laws to remove inconsistency, complexity and duplication.
• The Australian Government has initiated a national review of current OHS laws in each jurisdiction, which will inform the development of a model OHS Act that can be readily adopted by all jurisdictions.
• The Australian Government has committed to work cooperatively with State and Territory governments to harmonise OHS legislation within four years: by 2011.
• All State and Territory Workplace Relations Ministers have agreed the use of model legislation is the most effective way to achieve harmonisation of OHS laws.
• On 4 April 2008, the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, announced the appointment of an expert panel to conduct the national review.
• In conducting its review the panel has met with business, governments, unions and other interested parties. The panel began initial consultations in April 2008. Input from meetings with key stakeholders has helped shape the content of an issues paper that was released at the end of May.
• The panel will report to the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council in October 2008 and January 2009 with recommendations on the optimal structure and content of a model OHS Act that is able to be adopted in all jurisdictions.
• The review will focus only on those issues contained in principal OHS acts that need to be harmonised to increase certainty for duty holders, reduce compliance costs for business and provide greater clarity for regulators, without compromising safety outcomes.
• The specific areas covered by the review are detailed in the Terms of Reference. It is available from the review website at www.nationalohsreview.gov.au.
• Profiles of the review panel members are available from thereview website.

Media Contact: Samantha Stebbings (02) 6121 9162 /0412 008 109