Kevin Andrews (Menzies, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

I am answering the questions being put to me, Mr Deputy Speaker. I will answer them and then, if there is time, I will take some more. The changes to the federal Workplace Relations Act, Work Choices, do not—that is ‘not’ in capital letters—affect an occupational health and safety rep or deputy’s right to attend an initial/refresher course of their choice, including courses run by unions or the Victorian Trades Hall Council.

To reinforce that with evidence, I have here an agreement entered into under the new system, since 27 March. One of the signatories is the Australian Workers Union assistant secretary in Victoria. Clauses which are approved include clause 26, occupational health and safety. That clause says that the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act, its regulations and associated safety legislation will apply, and it is approved by the Office of the Employment Advocate. So the Victorian legislation continues to apply. It says, ‘In support of this, all employees will participate in the following three safety training programs,’ and then clause 26(11) says: ‘Occupational health and safety representatives will be provided with five days paid training for attendance at an occupational health and safety course.’ Not only is it the law, not only is it set out in the legislation, but it is actually in agreements which are being entered into in this case by the Australian Workers Union in Victoria.

There were some other questions. The honourable member for Rankin asked me about some modelling. I will have to seek some legal advice about the matters he asked about, and I will give the member for Rankin an answer in relation to that. There were also some questions about—

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