Pressure On Rudd to Harmonise OHS

Newly elected Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is already under pressure to come good with his promise to harmonise OHS regulations, with the recruitment industry saying it should be a 'key priority' on Labor's agenda.

As part of its IR plans, which included abolishing WorkChoices, Labor pledged to harmonise workplace safety regulations within five years of coming to office.

Recruitment and Consulting Services Association CEO, Julie Mills, said Labor's overwhelming victory on Saturday 'bodes well' for better harmonisation of state-based laws.

'One of our key election priorities was to develop nationally consistent workers compensation and occupational health and safety laws,' Mills said.

'With the Labor-led State and Federal governments indicating that they are keen to improve relations and work closely together, the RCSA hopes that this issue will be a key item on their agenda.'

Care need on WorkChoices

Mills urged caution on the further IR reforms such as the roll-back of WorkChoices.

'We understand that one of the messages of this election result is that Australians are not satisfied with the current industrial relations laws. However, our hope is that the process of rolling back WorkChoices is done in a sensible and moderate way, and in close consultation with industry,' she said.

Similarly, the RCSA also argues that that the removal of unfair dismissal exemptions needs to be approached with care, particularly in relation to casual worker exemptions, which are currently 12 months for all employers.

OHS under Labor

The election of the new Labor Government will see a slow but steady move towards a national OHS system.

In its pre-election policy announcements, Labor promised to re-negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding with the States to ensure Comcare and state-based authorities work cooperatively to protect all workers, regardless of where they work and irrespective of their coverage under State and Federal OHS jurisdictions.

Labor also pledged to create and independent OHS Commission and minimum national injured worker benefits.

Source: Workplace OHS