Page 659 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 22 February 2012
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MS BRESNAN (Brindabella) (4.55): I will be opposing this clause, as there was a consequential amendment that is now unnecessary.
Clause 5 negatived.
Proposed new clauses 5A and 5B.
MS BRESNAN (Brindabella) (4.56): I move amendment No 3 circulated in my name [see schedule 1 at page 698].
This amendment inserts new sections 2.2(1)(a)(iii) and 2.2(1)(b)(iii) in schedule 2 of the act. This amendment makes it a function of the Work Safety Council to advise the minister on bullying in the workplace and other workplace psychosocial issues. It also makes bullying in the workplace and other workplace psychosocial issues a matter that the council must inquire into and report to the minister on if the minister refers such a matter.
DR BOURKE (Ginninderra—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Corrections) (4.57): I rise to support the amendment. As members would be aware, the ACT Work Safety Council is a tripartite body established under the Work Health and Safety Act. It represents the interests of workers, employers and the general community in providing advice to the government on workplace safety and workers compensation matters.
The council provides me, as the Minister for Industrial Relations, with recommendations on a range of health and safety issues across industries. For some time this has encompassed bullying and other psychosocial hazards in the workplace.
As amended, the bill provides renewed emphasis on bullying as a work safety issue. For those who may have been unsure, the bill would have then put the role of the council beyond doubt. For those reasons, we support the amendment.
Proposed new clauses 5A and 5B agreed to.
Clause 6.
MS BRESNAN (Brindabella) (4.58): I move amendment No 4 circulated in my name [see schedule 1 at page 698].
This amendment allows the Work Safety Council to appoint an expert committee on workplace bullying and workplace psychosocial issues. Formerly the council had been required to appoint the committee. The purpose of the original bill is still achieved, as the previous amendment makes it a function of the Work Safety Council itself to advise the minister on workplace bullying and workplace psychosocial issues.
The amendment also makes it a requirement that any expert committee that is appointed must contain one member nominated by an entity the council considers
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