Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

The government opposes these amendments as well. To put it another way, it is another example of boiling the frog. The proposed amendments of themselves do not appear exceptionally onerous. However, in the wider scheme of things, they are out of step with the government’s intention to redirect effort from rule making and record shuffling towards practical arrangements that improve workplace safety. The bill does require that the employer has available for inspection an up-to-date list of designated work groups and health and safety representatives, and the lists must be available for inspection by employees and investigators at all reasonable times.

The proposal that an employee representative have an enforceable right to demand a copy is a potentially backward step as it seeks to give union officials a special role. Because the lists must be available for inspection by employees at all reasonable times, it is therefore not necessary. One of the primary purposes of the bill is to encourage direct negotiation between employees and employers without the intervening presence of unions.