The Western Australian Government has released for public comment its long-awaited Work Health and Safety Bill for general industry.

Released for public comment on 23 October 2014, the “green” Bill signifies the state’s move to adopt the nationally harmonised work health and safety system along with all other states and the Commonwealth aside from Victoria.

Despite the state government’s former statements to the contrary, the Western Australian draft Bill contains the same high penalties as the model Bill that was adopted in other states and the Commonwealth.

However, in line with earlier promises it does not include the model Bill’s provisions relating to union right of entry, the powers of elected health and safety reps to order work to cease and the reverse onus of proof for discrimination claims.

Submissions on the exposure draft are due on 31 January 2015 and AREEA will be making a submission.

To get feedback on the draft Bill as well as on key issues being experienced in other states that we don’t want carried over into Western Australia, AREEA has scheduled a teleconference of its Health & Safety Environment Advisory Group (HSEAG) on Friday 28 November from 1pm to 2.30pm Eastern daylight savings time (Melbourne time).

To give us your feedback or to join the teleconference on 28 November, please contact AREEA’s senior workplace policy adviser Lisa Matthews on (03) 6270 2256 or at [email protected].

Click here for a link to the exposure draft of the Bill.