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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 12 Hansard (24 November) . . Page.. 3587 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

Although Labor is not happy with the way that we have performed, Mr Speaker, it is important to reiterate that the coroner commended the Government and the civil servants for the work that they had done. He was pleased with it. I am not surprised that those opposite were not.

Mr Speaker, these improvements are wide-ranging but, importantly, the job is not finished. Substantial detail about these improvements was provided in two written submissions to the coroner, and these are both on the public record. The submissions were provided during 1998 and the reform has continued since that date. A new senior management structure has been appointed. This includes a full-time general manager to drive the changes required, ensure the clarity of roles and responsibility for all staff, including the dangerous goods and OH&S inspectors, as well as to advocate for improvements in all areas administered through WorkCover.

An experienced manager of OH&S and dangerous goods has been appointed to an upgraded position which also includes the role of chief inspector. A manager of prevention strategies has been appointed to implement targeted and strategic education campaigns and support programs, as well as a manager of development projects to oversight the management of funding and to deliver internal improvement programs.

Mr Speaker, when the review commenced WorkCover had 18 positions delivering occupational health and safety as well as workers compensation regulation services. WorkCover now has 43 staff and draws on a range of contracted services as well. This increase has been through a combination of increased overall funding, together with the transfer to WorkCover of functions including dangerous goods, gas safety regulation and public sector workers compensation functions.

The key improvements include the integration of the dangerous goods unit with ACT WorkCover. This ensured that inspectors were able to discuss and facilitate safety outcomes, using the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Dangerous Goods Act and any other related legislation, in a way that cannot be achieved when staff are in separate agencies and locations. This was, of course, a recommendation of the coroner.

Other improvements include the establishment of the regulators forum, with the specific goal of being able to do pre-planning for major events or projects with all regulating agencies, and in relation, particularly, to construction contracts; establishment of the panel of experts to provide advice on matters, including the use of explosives, boilers and pressure vessels; and the establishment of much closer ties with other jurisdictions to draw on and share in their expertise and research, as well as the integration of the public sector and private sector occupational health and safety prevention services. Previously these were in two separate departments and in different locations. Now the activities can be better targeted at key areas for both sectors.

Mr Quinlan entered the fray and asked the question, "Where were you on the day?". I, like many Canberrans, was there with my children. I was on the back verandah with Friends of the National Library. What we got after Mr Quinlan's introduction was yet more selective quoting from Labor. That is all they are good for, Mr Speaker, just more selective quoting. What we did not get was the full picture. We are willing to discuss the

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