I rise today to support the bill. The Workplace Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 expands the range of preventative measures which will deter those responsible for workplace health and safety and electrical safety from breaching Queensland’s safety laws.The bill in large part adopts the recommendations of an independent review conducted by Mr Robin Stewart-Crompton into the current workplace health and safety enforcement framework. Mr Stewart-Crompton is a recognised expert in the field and has been appointed chair of the national review panel for the national review of model occupational health and safety laws.

The purpose of the review was to ensure the framework remains relevant and that it continues to provide the necessary deterrents to breaches of Queensland’s workplace health and safety and electrical safety laws.

The review was based around terms of reference that included consideration of the level of deterrence afforded by the current enforcement and prosecution policy, the current jurisdictional arrangements and the expansion of enforcement and prosecution options.

The review was supported by a tripartite stakeholder reference group consisting of key industry stakeholders. Mr Stewart-Crompton consulted with a wide range of stakeholders, including unions and employer associations, the construction and building industry, the Workplace Health and Safety Board, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland inspectors and other government agencies.

The legislative recommendations from the review, which are being implemented, are consistent with legislative arrangements in other jurisdictions and will serve to promote greater harmonisation of safety regimes.

Queensland strongly supports the development of harmonised occupational health and safety laws and the Council of Australian Governments’ regulatory reform agenda, which requires the adoption of new model OHS legislation within three years. The Queensland government made a comprehensive submission to the national review panel, which will be delivering its final report on the national OHS framework by the end of January 2007. A nationally consistent regulatory framework will ensure that workers receive the same level of protection regardless of Commonwealth, state or territory coverage. It will also streamline the regulatory requirements on employers. In the meantime, the states and territories will continue to work cooperatively to make further gains in the harmonisation process.

The review demonstrates the Bligh government’s strong commitment to achieving better performance and outcomes in workplace health and safety and electrical safety in Queensland workplaces and supporting safe communities for the Queensland of tomorrow. I commend the bill to the House.