WHS Act update
Earlier this year, the Queensland Government accepted all 31 recommendations of an independent review of the state’s Work Health and Safety Act 2011. These are largely related to three key areas:
- elevating the role of health and safety representatives (HSRs)
- clarifying the rights of HSRs and worker representatives
- streamlining dispute resolution processes.
Work on implementing these recommendations is underway with legislation anticipated to be introduced into Parliament later this year.
Also developing on the legislative front is the progression of nine amendments to Australia’s model Work Health and Safety Act 2011. These were recommended during the earlier national Boland Review. Work on these recommendations relate to enhancements for HSRs, offences under the model WHS Act, regulatory improvements to obtain and share information, and technical amendments to provide greater clarity, consistency, and operation of the model WHS laws.