[Greens-Media] Day One: O'Farrell attacks workers and workplace safety in NSW

[David Shoebridge]

Day One: O'Farrell attacks workers and workplace safety in NSW
Media Release - 4 May 2011
 
The Greens NSW Industrial Relations spokesperson David Shoebridge has criticised two of the first pieces of O'Farrell government legislation as seriously undermining workplace safety in NSW. 
 
"One of the very first pieces of legislation to be introduced by this government is an attack on unions and the safety of employees and workplaces in NSW," Mr Shoebridge said.
 
"The Work Health and Safety Bill and Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Bill will remove the capacity of unions to prosecute for breaches of Occupational Health and Safety laws.
 
"The right of unions to prosecute is a key plank in maintaining safe workplaces and improved work practices in NSW.
 
"Union prosecutions forced  Australian banks to improve branch safety and they have directly saved the lives of bank employees and customers by drastically reducing the number of  armed robberies.
 
"These bills will also remove the jurisdiction of the Industrial Relations Court and abolish the reverse onus of proof, both of which will lead to less safe workplaces. 
 
"The NSW Industrial Court has over 100 years experience in protecting the rights of workers in NSW.  It is a specialist jurisdiction which understands Occupational Health and Safety.
 
"Removing the Industrial Court and referring all workplace safety cases to the District and Supreme Courts will result in reduced workplace safety in NSW through a significant reduction in court expertise.
 
"Making prosecutions harder by attacking the onus of proof in workplace safety cases will result in less prosecutions and less pressure employers to deliver safe workplaces. 
 
"This undermining of workplace safety and workers rights is occurring due to the federal OH&S harmonisation agenda, being pushed through by the federal Labor government.
 
"This is NSW pulling back from world-class workplace safety laws to a new and lower national standard," Mr Shoebridge said.
 
More information 9230 3030 | 0433 753 376
 
 
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David Shoebridge
Greens MLC
NSW Parliament
PH: (02) 9230 3030
FX: (02) 9230 2159
www.davidshoebridge.org.au