Edition 57, June 2008

Formal agreement reached on harmonisation of OHS legislation

The May meeting of the Workplace Relations Ministers' Council (WRMC) marked an historic commitment to occupational health and safety (OHS) reform in Australia.

Ministers agreed in-principle to the Intergovernmental Agreement for Regulatory and Operational Reform in Occupational Health and Safety (IGA).

Ministers noted that this will be the first time that cooperation between the Commonwealth, state and territory governments on the harmonisation of OHS legislation has been formalised.

Ministers also noted the Council of Australian Government's decision to bring forward by 12 months the implementation timetable for the harmonisation of OHS legislation, one year earlier than the Commonwealth Government's original election commitment.

The council also agreed to replace the Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) with a body which will have tripartite representation and will be jointly funded by the Commonwealth, states and territories. Ministers noted that legislation to establish the body will be introduced into the Federal Parliament in June to enable it to commence operations in the last quarter of 2008.

For more information on the outcomes of the May WRMC meeting visit www.workplace.gov.au/workplace/Publications/PolicyReviews/WorkplaceRelationsMinistersCouncil.htm

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