Page 3425 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 17 September 2019
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the government commissioned an independent review of the ACT’s work safety compliance infrastructure, policies and procedures. That was tabled in the Assembly in October 2018. At that time the government gave in-principle support for all recommendations.
I am pleased to say that there has been substantial progress in implementing these recommendations. Legislation was introduced last month that will implement a key recommendation of the review by establishing an independent, single accountability governance model for WorkSafe. I look forward to debating this bill in the Assembly. In the meantime, WorkSafe continues to perform its functions. WorkSafe’s operational focus for this financial year includes an evidence-based compliance regime for industry areas such as construction, retail, healthcare services and accommodation and food services. It will also focus on the prevention and mitigation of work-related psychological risks that may lead to poor mental health.
With one in five Australian adults experiencing a mental health condition in any given year, this work will be an essential part of creating mentally healthy, safe and productive workplaces across the ACT. As the minister responsible for the health and safety of working people, I will be applying a particular focus to how we can continue to improve the mental health and wellbeing of Canberrans across every industry.
The asbestos response task force has made significant progress to realise the ACT government’s goal of eradicating loose-fill asbestos insulation from ACT residences. As at 31 August 2019, 967 properties had been purchased, at a total cost of $693.1 million; 980 properties had been demolished, either by the government or privately; 858 blocks had been sold, for a total value of $564.2 million; and 1,098 relocation assistance grants had been paid, to a value of $12.3 million. The task force will continue to meet with home owners and assist them through case management and targeted communication as well as working on the renewal of affected neighbourhoods.
In the area of employment, the government remains committed to maintaining the size of the ACT public service, reaching pay outcomes which maintain real wages, and to a consultative and inclusive approach to industrial relations. The government will continue to negotiate in good faith to finalise remaining enterprise agreements, and the government has recognised the significant disadvantage to workers of long-term insecure work. A task force has been established to methodically work through ACT public service employment to identify and assess roles currently in insecure work, for consideration for conversion to permanency. Early areas of focus for the task force include school cleaners, Access Canberra and graduate nursing and midwifery.
It is not just the public sector where we need to see things change. In the coming months I will be considering the development of a labour hire licensing scheme that would improve responsible practice in the industry in the ACT.
I must also mention the major work going on next door, as the government accommodation projects team continues to deliver the new ACT government office buildings in Civic, as well as in Dickson. These changes aim to enhance the ACT public service workforce capability, while ensuring that the workforce continues to
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