ANOTHER SA WORKER DIES: WHERE IS PAT CONLON'S COMMITMENT TO BETTER SAFETY ON THE JOB?

5 May 2011

The State Government has been criticised for pulling planned new worker safety legislation from Parliament just one day after another South Australian worker died while at work.

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says the Worker Health and Safety Bill has been the subject of two years worth of consultation but has now been delayed by the new Industrial Relations Minister, Patrick Conlon.

"It's been agreed to by employers, unions and the community, has been signed up to by every Premier as part of an intergovernmental agreement and agreed to by the previous South Australian IR Minister".

"This historic piece of legislation would have ensured the same safety laws applied right across the country, so businesses and unions could operate under consistent laws - making good sense for our economy and for workers' safety".

"Pulling this Bill from Parliamentary schedule will delay the passage of laws in SA that strengthen our legislation and allow for better prevention of accidents".

"We call on Minister Conlon to reintroduce the Bill into the House this week as a matter of urgency - even the NSW Liberal Government is going ahead with this legislation."

"The confusion and mess of Parliament due to the resignation of the IR Minister and the heavy workload of having just one Minister in the Legislative Council must not get in the way of improving worker safety".

Ms Giles says the tragic death of an electrician in the Riverland yesterday reinforces the need for the Government to make sure our laws are as strong as possible so we can prevent injury and death.

"Our deepest sympathies go out to this man's loved ones.  No family should have to face what they are going through".

"In the past year, another ten people have died in their workplaces and thousands more have been injured".

Ms Giles says the proposed new Act allows for clearer responsibility of employers to ensure a safe workplace, much tougher penalties for breaches of safety, and the right for union officials to inspect worksites for safety issues - a right that applies in every other state in the country.