Page 246 - Week 01 - Thursday, 15 February 1990
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He said to me, at the conclusion of that debate, that the BWIU had to be placed on probation for a short time because of its alleged activities in the building industry. I think the time that was discussed was around six weeks. The six weeks has long gone, and there has been no evidence that would suggest that the BWIU has not behaved itself in the terms Mr Collaery would want it to. As a result of this debate I would want to see some support from Mr Collaery for this change in the designated work groups. I think an indication in that respect would mean a lot in terms of providing protection for all workers. It would not provide it to all workers, but it would provide it to an increased number of workers.
The amendment that I move today attempts to overcome one of the major flaws of the Bill passed by the Assembly, and that is the Act's failure to cover a greater proportion of the Territory's workplaces. As the Act now stands, about 95 per cent of employers are exempt under it - that is from the speech made by Mr Duby, incidentally. In my view, it is outrageous that 95 per cent of employers are exempt under the Act. As I said, it was identified by Mr Duby in this Assembly, when speaking against the amendment to increase the threshold from 10 to 20.
The effect of decreasing the number of designated work groups from 20 to 10 will be to reduce the number of employers who are exempt to about 85 per cent. That is still unacceptable, but it is much better than would be the case if 95 per cent of employers were allowed to continue being exempt.
I expect that at some time in the future there will be pressure again to expand the influence of this legislation to cover all workers. The Labor party will be looking forward to participating in the process to ensure that the size of these designated work groups is reduced.
Workplace apathy and ignorance have been identified as causes of poor occupational health and safety practices. Unless the vast majority of workplaces is covered by legislation the community cannot expect that much will change in that respect. One of the principal aims of the legislation is to involve workers in the process of providing safety in the work place.
If this Assembly is of a mind to decrease the size of the designated work groups the opportunity for that sort of involvement will present itself to a larger number of workers. I am quite confident that would be a reduced accident rate in the workplace, a reduced cost to the community, and in particular that the quality of life for many of the workers who would otherwise have been injured will be improved and their families will be able to enjoy a better role in society as a result.
As I have said, these benefits will come in the form of improved health for workers in the ACT, as well as - and
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