Mr. Ripper questions WA's refusal to fully harmonise OHS laws, prompting Premier Barnett to defend the state's position, particularly regarding the mining industry and potential impacts on state authority.

AnsweredQoN 515Legislative Assembly
Asked
31 August 2011
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY LAWS — HARMONISATION
I refer to moves through the Council of Australian Governments process to harmonise occupational health and safety laws. (1) Why will Western Australia not harmonise these laws in full? (2) Why do Western Australian workers not deserve the same level of protection as workers in other states? (3) Is it not an advantage for national businesses to have nationally harmonised occupational health and safety laws? (4) What are the costs to Western Australia should the state government continue to renege on Western Australia’s agreement as a state to these national reforms? Mr C.J. BARNETT

AnswerView source ↗

(1)–(4) I think some prior notice of that question would have been a good idea. One of the major issues in Western Australia — Mr E.S. Ripper : You actually go to COAG! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I do. The state government does cooperate through COAG. We cooperate when there is sense in having consistency across Australia. One of the prime issues for Western Australia is occupational health and safety in the mining industry. Indeed, there have been a number of fatalities in that industry. I take it, from the tone of that question, that once again the Labor Party in Western Australia would be simply willing to hand over authority, in this case mainly for our mining industry, to Canberra. The Liberal–National government is not prepared to do that. Whether it be GST — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is harmonisation, it is not a handover. It was agreed to by all the states. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The same thing. Does the Leader of the Opposition want some of the features of the New South Wales system? Does the Labor Party want directors of companies to face criminal charges? Does the Labor Party support criminal penalties against directors of companies, because that is what harmonisation would mean? If the Leader of the Opposition wants to ask a question on notice, we will provide a more detailed update on that. I am happy to do so. It is one of about 50 topics being discussed at COAG.
(1) Why will Western Australia not harmonise these laws in full? (2) Why do Western Australian workers not deserve the same level of protection as workers in other states? (3) Is it not an advantage for national businesses to have nationally harmonised occupational health and safety laws? (4) What are the costs to Western Australia should the state government continue to renege on Western Australia’s agreement as a state to these national reforms? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) I think some prior notice of that question would have been a good idea. One of the major issues in Western Australia — Mr E.S. Ripper : You actually go to COAG! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I do. The state government does cooperate through COAG. We cooperate when there is sense in having consistency across Australia. One of the prime issues for Western Australia is occupational health and safety in the mining industry. Indeed, there have been a number of fatalities in that industry. I take it, from the tone of that question, that once again the Labor Party in Western Australia would be simply willing to hand over authority, in this case mainly for our mining industry, to Canberra. The Liberal–National government is not prepared to do that. Whether it be GST — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is harmonisation, it is not a handover. It was agreed to by all the states. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The same thing. Does the Leader of the Opposition want some of the features of the New South Wales system? Does the Labor Party want directors of companies to face criminal charges? Does the Labor Party support criminal penalties against directors of companies, because that is what harmonisation would mean? If the Leader of the Opposition wants to ask a question on notice, we will provide a more detailed update on that. I am happy to do so. It is one of about 50 topics being discussed at COAG.
(2) Why do Western Australian workers not deserve the same level of protection as workers in other states? (3) Is it not an advantage for national businesses to have nationally harmonised occupational health and safety laws? (4) What are the costs to Western Australia should the state government continue to renege on Western Australia’s agreement as a state to these national reforms? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) I think some prior notice of that question would have been a good idea. One of the major issues in Western Australia — Mr E.S. Ripper : You actually go to COAG! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I do. The state government does cooperate through COAG. We cooperate when there is sense in having consistency across Australia. One of the prime issues for Western Australia is occupational health and safety in the mining industry. Indeed, there have been a number of fatalities in that industry. I take it, from the tone of that question, that once again the Labor Party in Western Australia would be simply willing to hand over authority, in this case mainly for our mining industry, to Canberra. The Liberal–National government is not prepared to do that. Whether it be GST — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is harmonisation, it is not a handover. It was agreed to by all the states. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The same thing. Does the Leader of the Opposition want some of the features of the New South Wales system? Does the Labor Party want directors of companies to face criminal charges? Does the Labor Party support criminal penalties against directors of companies, because that is what harmonisation would mean? If the Leader of the Opposition wants to ask a question on notice, we will provide a more detailed update on that. I am happy to do so. It is one of about 50 topics being discussed at COAG.
(3) Is it not an advantage for national businesses to have nationally harmonised occupational health and safety laws? (4) What are the costs to Western Australia should the state government continue to renege on Western Australia’s agreement as a state to these national reforms? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) I think some prior notice of that question would have been a good idea. One of the major issues in Western Australia — Mr E.S. Ripper : You actually go to COAG! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I do. The state government does cooperate through COAG. We cooperate when there is sense in having consistency across Australia. One of the prime issues for Western Australia is occupational health and safety in the mining industry. Indeed, there have been a number of fatalities in that industry. I take it, from the tone of that question, that once again the Labor Party in Western Australia would be simply willing to hand over authority, in this case mainly for our mining industry, to Canberra. The Liberal–National government is not prepared to do that. Whether it be GST — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is harmonisation, it is not a handover. It was agreed to by all the states. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The same thing. Does the Leader of the Opposition want some of the features of the New South Wales system? Does the Labor Party want directors of companies to face criminal charges? Does the Labor Party support criminal penalties against directors of companies, because that is what harmonisation would mean? If the Leader of the Opposition wants to ask a question on notice, we will provide a more detailed update on that. I am happy to do so. It is one of about 50 topics being discussed at COAG.
(4) What are the costs to Western Australia should the state government continue to renege on Western Australia’s agreement as a state to these national reforms? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) I think some prior notice of that question would have been a good idea. One of the major issues in Western Australia — Mr E.S. Ripper : You actually go to COAG! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I do. The state government does cooperate through COAG. We cooperate when there is sense in having consistency across Australia. One of the prime issues for Western Australia is occupational health and safety in the mining industry. Indeed, there have been a number of fatalities in that industry. I take it, from the tone of that question, that once again the Labor Party in Western Australia would be simply willing to hand over authority, in this case mainly for our mining industry, to Canberra. The Liberal–National government is not prepared to do that. Whether it be GST — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is harmonisation, it is not a handover. It was agreed to by all the states. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The same thing. Does the Leader of the Opposition want some of the features of the New South Wales system? Does the Labor Party want directors of companies to face criminal charges? Does the Labor Party support criminal penalties against directors of companies, because that is what harmonisation would mean? If the Leader of the Opposition wants to ask a question on notice, we will provide a more detailed update on that. I am happy to do so. It is one of about 50 topics being discussed at COAG.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) I think some prior notice of that question would have been a good idea. One of the major issues in Western Australia — Mr E.S. Ripper : You actually go to COAG! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I do. The state government does cooperate through COAG. We cooperate when there is sense in having consistency across Australia. One of the prime issues for Western Australia is occupational health and safety in the mining industry. Indeed, there have been a number of fatalities in that industry. I take it, from the tone of that question, that once again the Labor Party in Western Australia would be simply willing to hand over authority, in this case mainly for our mining industry, to Canberra. The Liberal–National government is not prepared to do that. Whether it be GST — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is harmonisation, it is not a handover. It was agreed to by all the states. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The same thing. Does the Leader of the Opposition want some of the features of the New South Wales system? Does the Labor Party want directors of companies to face criminal charges? Does the Labor Party support criminal penalties against directors of companies, because that is what harmonisation would mean? If the Leader of the Opposition wants to ask a question on notice, we will provide a more detailed update on that. I am happy to do so. It is one of about 50 topics being discussed at COAG.
(1)–(4) I think some prior notice of that question would have been a good idea. One of the major issues in Western Australia — Mr E.S. Ripper : You actually go to COAG! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I do. The state government does cooperate through COAG. We cooperate when there is sense in having consistency across Australia. One of the prime issues for Western Australia is occupational health and safety in the mining industry. Indeed, there have been a number of fatalities in that industry. I take it, from the tone of that question, that once again the Labor Party in Western Australia would be simply willing to hand over authority, in this case mainly for our mining industry, to Canberra. The Liberal–National government is not prepared to do that. Whether it be GST — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is harmonisation, it is not a handover. It was agreed to by all the states. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The same thing. Does the Leader of the Opposition want some of the features of the New South Wales system? Does the Labor Party want directors of companies to face criminal charges? Does the Labor Party support criminal penalties against directors of companies, because that is what harmonisation would mean? If the Leader of the Opposition wants to ask a question on notice, we will provide a more detailed update on that. I am happy to do so. It is one of about 50 topics being discussed at COAG.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You actually go to COAG! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I do. The state government does cooperate through COAG. We cooperate when there is sense in having consistency across Australia. One of the prime issues for Western Australia is occupational health and safety in the mining industry. Indeed, there have been a number of fatalities in that industry. I take it, from the tone of that question, that once again the Labor Party in Western Australia would be simply willing to hand over authority, in this case mainly for our mining industry, to Canberra. The Liberal–National government is not prepared to do that. Whether it be GST — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is harmonisation, it is not a handover. It was agreed to by all the states. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The same thing. Does the Leader of the Opposition want some of the features of the New South Wales system? Does the Labor Party want directors of companies to face criminal charges? Does the Labor Party support criminal penalties against directors of companies, because that is what harmonisation would mean? If the Leader of the Opposition wants to ask a question on notice, we will provide a more detailed update on that. I am happy to do so. It is one of about 50 topics being discussed at COAG.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I do. The state government does cooperate through COAG. We cooperate when there is sense in having consistency across Australia. One of the prime issues for Western Australia is occupational health and safety in the mining industry. Indeed, there have been a number of fatalities in that industry. I take it, from the tone of that question, that once again the Labor Party in Western Australia would be simply willing to hand over authority, in this case mainly for our mining industry, to Canberra. The Liberal–National government is not prepared to do that. Whether it be GST — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is harmonisation, it is not a handover. It was agreed to by all the states. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The same thing. Does the Leader of the Opposition want some of the features of the New South Wales system? Does the Labor Party want directors of companies to face criminal charges? Does the Labor Party support criminal penalties against directors of companies, because that is what harmonisation would mean? If the Leader of the Opposition wants to ask a question on notice, we will provide a more detailed update on that. I am happy to do so. It is one of about 50 topics being discussed at COAG.
The state government does cooperate through COAG. We cooperate when there is sense in having consistency across Australia. One of the prime issues for Western Australia is occupational health and safety in the mining industry. Indeed, there have been a number of fatalities in that industry. I take it, from the tone of that question, that once again the Labor Party in Western Australia would be simply willing to hand over authority, in this case mainly for our mining industry, to Canberra. The Liberal–National government is not prepared to do that. Whether it be GST — Mr E.S. Ripper : It is harmonisation, it is not a handover. It was agreed to by all the states. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The same thing. Does the Leader of the Opposition want some of the features of the New South Wales system? Does the Labor Party want directors of companies to face criminal charges? Does the Labor Party support criminal penalties against directors of companies, because that is what harmonisation would mean? If the Leader of the Opposition wants to ask a question on notice, we will provide a more detailed update on that. I am happy to do so. It is one of about 50 topics being discussed at COAG.
Mr E.S. Ripper : It is harmonisation, it is not a handover. It was agreed to by all the states. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The same thing. Does the Leader of the Opposition want some of the features of the New South Wales system? Does the Labor Party want directors of companies to face criminal charges? Does the Labor Party support criminal penalties against directors of companies, because that is what harmonisation would mean? If the Leader of the Opposition wants to ask a question on notice, we will provide a more detailed update on that. I am happy to do so. It is one of about 50 topics being discussed at COAG.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The same thing. Does the Leader of the Opposition want some of the features of the New South Wales system? Does the Labor Party want directors of companies to face criminal charges? Does the Labor Party support criminal penalties against directors of companies, because that is what harmonisation would mean? If the Leader of the Opposition wants to ask a question on notice, we will provide a more detailed update on that. I am happy to do so. It is one of about 50 topics being discussed at COAG.

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