The Harmonisation of Occupational Health and Safety laws have met another obstacle now that another Parliament has decided to delay the commencement of the OHS laws. Tasmania’s decision follows that of South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia.
Tasmanian Parliament has voted to amend the OHS Harmonisation bill to delay implementation for a year. The vote was a landslide, with 11 – 3 votes in favour of the amendment. The Bill will return to the Lower House where further discussion will take place in March of 2012.
Senator Abetz stated that the Labour party should delay the commencement of the Harmonised OHS laws for an additional year in order to decide whether true harmonisation can take place. He believes this needs to be done in order to avoid rushing into anything and “implementing another Julia Gillard mess”.