QLD employers on OHS offensive

MAJOR employer associations have condemned the Queensland Government’s move to fast track legislation through parliament in an attempt to circumvent WorkChoices reforms which will restrict right of entry provisions for union officials

MAJOR EMPLOYER associations have condemned the Queensland Government’s move to fast track legislation through parliament in an attempt to circumvent WorkChoices reforms that restrict right of entry for union officials.

The Australian Industry Group, Master Builders Queensland, the National Retail Association and the Road Transport Association have opposed amendments to the Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Act, which will provide union officials with right of entry to workplaces as long as they meet certain requirements, such as provision of OHS training.

“Proposed amendments to the Workplace Health & Safety Act 2005 have been rushed through the parliament without adequate consultation and the Government is handing unions more right of entry powers than they had prior to recent WorkChoices reforms,” said Andrew Craig, spokesperson for the alliance group AiGroup (Australian Industry Group) Queensland.

“Our primary concern is that the new powers could be misused such that information for industrial purposes could be obtained under the premises of health and safety issues. The legislation fails to provide adequate protection and safeguards for employers in the event this does happen.”

However, the Queensland Government said the rights that union representatives have to enter workplaces on OHS grounds needed clarification, as the Federal Government’s WorkChoices laws restricted union rights of entry, with the exception of those under State occupational health and safety laws.

“The Bill provides this clarity and as a consequence will lead to a more proactive approach to managing health and safety issues in workplaces,”said a note in the Queensland Workplace Health and Safety and other Acts Amendment Bill 2006.

“It also will bring Queensland into line with the current rights of entry employee organisations have in occupational health and safety laws of New South Wales, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory.”

Under the Queensland amendment, a union representative has the power to enter a workplace provided there is reasonable suspicion on their part that the Workplace Health and Safety Act has been breached, or to discuss workplace health and safety issues with a worker.

While the Queensland Government said the amendment will highlight the beneficial safety outcomes that union involvement in OHS matters can have, AiGroup Queensland’s Craig said it will do nothing to improve health and safety standards in the State.

He said the provisions outlined in the Bill are a result of the Government succumbing to intense union pressure, and that AiGroup Queensland would seek amendments that would ensure the Workplace Health and Safety Act is not captured by vested interests.

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