Business calls on re-elected NSW Govt to fix 'flawed' OHS

The newly re-elected NSW Government must make the review of OHS legislation a priority, a major employer group has said.

NSW Business Chamber CEO, Kevin MacDonald, said that after two years of reviews, employers need OHS to be reformed in NSW. 'NSW has the highest OHS fines, the largest number of prosecutions, the largest number of WorkCover inspectors, yet NSW has, according to the ABS, injury rates higher than the Australian average. The system is 'flawed', and if the Government does not act on OHS, major companies will use that decision to join the Federal workers compensation system and opt out of NSW OHS regulation'.

Get rid of the 'too hard basket'

MacDonald said the Opposition had released 'strong' policies on OHS, skills and red tape that should be considered by the Government. The Opposition vowed in january to immediately introduce new OHS laws if it were elected, which would make employers and workers jointly responsible for workplace safety.

'The first thing the Premier must do is to reach for the "too hard basket" and deal with the issues he has put off,' he said. 'NSW is under-performing its potential with the highest taxes in Australia, budget deficits, decaying infrastructure, stagnating property market and little to show on addressing skill shortages. There is no time to lose. Both the Government and the Opposition have to start work today.'

The Iemma/Labor Government retained power after the State election on the weekend, with a slightly reduced majority.

OHS Act review

The NSW Government propose radical changes to its OHS legislation in May 2006, including legally binding agreements between employers and WorkCover, the reinstating of workers sacked over an OHS issue, and requiring employees to take reasonable care for their own safety.A fter much pressure from employers and unions, a judge was appointed to review the legislation and proposed changes, with the final report not due until April 2007.