THE WORKPLACE Relations Minister has suggested Australia needs an occupational health and safety agency free of federal parliamentary approval.
The National Safety Council of Australia says Julia Gillard does intend to present the option at the Workplace Relations Ministers Council (WRMC) meeting on 13 February 2009.
The WRMC is a council of federal, State and Territory Ministers responsible for workplace relations matters in their respective jurisdictions.
The Minister claims the Safe Work Australia (SWA) Bill was laid aside in 2008 after encountering a parliamentary impasse. An independent agency would prevent such occurrences and ultimately improve workplace safety.
Industry officials have suggested the SWA Bill may be reintroduced or perhaps another alternative would see the Australian Safety and Compensation Council manage the harmonisation reforms.
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