Page 1374 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 12 May 2021
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in penalties. It will ensure that the families of those killed at work have greater access to justice.
Last month was International Workers Memorial Day, a sombre reminder of why work health and safety laws are so important. They establish an obligation to provide a safe workplace and to ensure that everyone returns home safe at the end of the day. Psychosocial hazards in the workplace can be just as dangerous as physical hazards. That is why the government, thanks to Ms Orr’s recent motion, is working to shed light on this important matter and to recognise it in work health and safety laws and practices. Next week, I will be meeting with work health and safety ministers from around Australia and I will be advocating for these important changes to occur nationally in the model work health and safety laws.
MS ORR: Minister, how will the government continue to protect vulnerable workers?
MR GENTLEMAN: The government has a strong record of standing up for work rights and protections of workers. We introduced the nation-leading Secure Local Jobs Code in 2016. The code protects workers in vulnerable industries by holding their employers to high ethical standards. Anyone tendering for a government contract must show that they are doing the right thing by their workers. I am very proud of the code, and I look forward to implementing the recommendations of a recent review of the code to make it even stronger.
The ACT Labor government has a commitment to protecting vulnerable workers. We are working on anti-privatisation legislation to stamp out insecure work and its dangerous and dodgy workplace practices and conditions. Secure jobs and workplace protection are vital to workplace safety, and I look forward to bringing this legislation forward by the end of the year. The government is also introducing a labour hire licensing scheme to protect vulnerable workers in the labour hire industries.
MR HANSON: A supplementary, Madam Speaker. Minister what are you doing in response to statements by the Australian Federal Police Association that their members are at breaking point? Are you doing the right thing by police?
MR GENTLEMAN: We certainly are investing each year in more police for the ACT, more resources for the police in the ACT, and ensuring their wellbeing—
Opposition members interjecting—
MR GENTLEMAN: unlike those opposite, who at each budget have voted against extra funding for ACT Policing.
Mr Barr: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.
Supplementary answer to question without notice
Government—business support
MS CHEYNE: Just on GoGet: TCCS and the NCA provided GoGet and Popcar with free designated-parking spaces within territory and NCA car parks over a trial period
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