Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

I also introduce this morning into the parliament the Safe Work Australia (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill. The bill will repeal the Australian Workplace Safety Standards Act 2005. This will abolish the current framework provided by that act for the declaration of occupational health and safety national standards and codes of practice by the Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC). However, the bill will preserve existing national standards and codes of practice. The bill will also enable Safe Work Australia to declare national standards and codes of practice relating to occupational health and safety on an interim basis until 1 January 2011, unless regulations prescribe an earlier or later date.

It is anticipated that, over time, national standards and codes of practice will be replaced by model regulations and model codes of practice that will be approved by the Workplace Relations Ministers Council.

The bill will also provide for a number of other consequential amendments arising from the repeal of the Australian Workplace Safety Standards Act and from the enactment of the Safe Work Australia Bill 2008.

I commend the bill to the House.

Debate (on motion by Mrs Markus) adjourned.

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