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Queensland was the last state to have reverse onus of proof in operation for its OHS laws.
Industrial Relations Minister Cameron Dick said the Work Health and Safety Bill was a win-win for Queensland workers and businesses.
“The bill forms part of the national reform agenda that will result in harmonised workplace laws across Australia,” he said.
“For workers, this means more stringent protections, while for business this translates to reduced red tape and compliance costs.
“Removing the confusion, complexity and duplication caused by Australia’s multiple workplace health and safety regimes will help save the Queensland economy more than $30 million a year.”
Dick said the new bill would replace the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 and key changes included “broadening the definition of ‘worker’ to include labour hire, contractors and subcontractors, and imposing the onus of proof on the regulator to prove an offence.”
The start of the model Work Health and Safety Bill as part of the national harmonisation of OHS laws is expected on January 1, 2012.
Greater detail of the proposed changes will be covered in an upcoming story for the June edition of Australian Longwall Magazine.
