|
Issue No. 215 | 02 April 2004 |
Something Smells
Interview: Terror Australis Unions: Graeme Beard's Second Dig Industrial: The Hell of Troy Organising: Miners Strike Gold Economics: The Accepted Wisdom History: Vicious Old Lady International: Out of Sight, Out of Mind Review: War Unfogged Poetry: TAFE
Gong Points Death Bone at Iemma Strip � Howard�s Order to Shoppies Workers Victory - We�re Legal! Patrick Faces Million Dollar Fines Water Quality in Budget Back-Wash Life � Cambodia�s Grand Raffle
Postcard The Soapbox The Locker Room Politics
Getting Away With Murder Terrorism
Labor Council of NSW |
News Feds Dodge Death
"The Government's own figures show that more than 2000 Australians die from a work-related cause every year," says ACTU President Sharan Burrow. "The death toll from work is higher than the national road toll." "Despite this terrible situation, Minister for Employment Kevin Andrews has tabled new legislation to override the crime of 'industrial manslaughter'." "Instead of taking a lead in this area and legislating to ensure better protection for Commonwealth employees the Howard Government is taking health and safety laws backwards." The Federal Government has introduced legislation exempting Commonwealth workplaces, including businesses like Telstra and Australia Post, from the ACT laws. Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews said the ACT legislation, which makes industrial manslaughter an offence under the territory's Crimes Act, was "a retrograde step in preventing workplace fatalities". This contradicted statements from the responsible ACT Minister, Katy Gallagher, that the introduction of the legislation had seen a sharp rise in efforts by ACT businesses to comply with the Territory's occupational health and safety legislation. The ACTU concurred with the ACT Government's experience. " bad employers often need the threat of severe penalties to be pressured into providing a healthier and safer workplace," says Burrow. Gallagher told media outlets that the Commonwealth's bill was "ideologically driven" and "an intrusion into the rights of the ACT to determine its own laws". If passed, the Federal Government's bill will also exempt Commonwealth workplaces from similar laws adopted by any other state or territory in future.
|
Search All Issues | Latest Issue | Previous Issues | Print Latest Issue |
© 1999-2002 Workers Online |
|