Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The critical issue in all of this—and I think we agree—is the safety of drivers. The matters that you raise are matters which may be relevant to the AIRC, which may want to hear about how driving protections should be dealt with and the particular details that might be involved. What we are talking about in this respect is that we have settled the industrial relations to the extent of allowing New South Wales to maintain an existing system which involves ensuring that it includes safe driving plans, a drug and alcohol policy, and occupational health and safety training. We are not about wiping that out as part of the Fair Work Bill. We are going to ensure that it is a matter contained to New South Wales. If it is a matter that should extend to other states, then it is a matter that the AIRC can deal with and those submissions that you make today might be entirely relevant to whether it should or should not be included.