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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 13 Hansard (26 November) . . Page.. 4643 ..

MS MacDONALD (continuing):

identified that, for the leadership capacity to grow in the ACT, it has to implement four key strategies. WorkCover has shown its commitment to achieving sound leadership by effectively communicating to ensure that there is common understanding of its vision and that people align to its vision; setting clear, unambiguous and challenging targets; visibly supporting people to achieve goals; challenging, motivating, inspiring and energising staff to achieve; spending the time to fully understand clients, technologies and trends; expecting uncertainty and being flexible enough to develop strategies to achieve outcomes; and celebrating breakthroughs and achievements. The OH&S awards are evidence of the celebration of amazing achievements and breakthroughs in the ACT work industry.

Again, those who were recognised at this year's awards have proven that they are worthy leaders in the ACT and, with the implementation of their innovations and solutions in other workplaces, the number of like-minded leaders in the ACT is likely to grow. This year's awards ceremony was the biggest yet but, with the continuation of increased knowledge and acceptance of occupational health and safety practices, I am sure that the 14th OH&S awards will be bigger again.

From 50 years ago, 20 years ago or even five years ago, occupational health and safety practices have improved remarkably in the ACT and across all of Australia. Work cover operates in every state and territory in Australia and, at a national level, the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission-NOHSC-provides information and advice to all governments and industries across Australia. To further highlight its commitment to improving OH&S in Australia, NOHSC developed the national occupational health and safety strategy 2002-12 which was released last May. The strategy aims at achieving Australian workplaces that are free from injury and disease and improving Australia's occupational health and safety performance. NOHSC has set a number of national targets to achieve these aims.

Several areas requiring national action, including OH&S data, OH&S research, national standards, strategic enforcement incentives, compliance support, practical guidance, OH&S awareness and OH&S skills, were also recognised within the strategy as necessary to the success of national targets. Signed by the former Minister for Industrial Relations, Mr Simon Corbell, the strategy embraces the adoption of systematic approaches for prevention by government and industry and looks at improving occupational health and safety standards through intervention, education programs, improved community and industry attention to OH&S and at developing solutions, practical guidance, assessments and regulatory approaches. A regulatory approach such as the Crimes (Industrial Manslaughter) Amendment Bill, which will be debated soon, shows this government's commitment to improving OH&S in the ACT.

In conclusion, I ask the Assembly to acknowledge ACT WorkCover for its dedication to promoting occupational health and safety in the ACT and also to give hearty congratulations to all the winners and all the highly commended ones in this year's OH&S awards. Their leadership practices ensure the continuation of high occupational health and safety standards across all industries in the ACT.

MS TUCKER (11.16): I commend Ms MacDonald's motion which recognises the important role of ACT WorkCover in providing advice and support to improve workplace health and safety throughout the ACT. Also I congratulate the winners of the

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