LIBS WALK AWAY FROM INJURED SOUTH AUSTRALIANS

15 September 2011

SA Unions says the Liberal Party is abandoning working South Australians by not supporting planned new worker safety legislation.

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says the Worker Health and Safety Bill has been the subject of consultation for three years and has been agreed to by employers, unions and the community.

"Every Premier in the country has agreed to go ahead with this legislation as part of an intergovernmental agreement - even the New South Wales Liberal government is going ahead with it.

"These planned new nationally consistent laws will cut red tape by ensuring the same safety laws apply right across the country, so businesses and unions can operate under consistent laws - making good sense for our economy and for our workers' safety."

"We want safer workplaces, and every possible measure taken to prevent injury and death in the workplace."

Ms Giles says that in the past year, ten people have died in their workplaces in South Australia and thousands more have been injured.

"What we want is simple - safer workplaces - so that no family ever has to go through the terrible tragedy of losing someone they love in a workplace accident."

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.