Just as earlier this week the union movement devoted resources to pressure the government over OHS laws at the Workplace Relations Ministers Council (WRMC) on 18 May 2009, a major employer group has released a media statement.
In politics, approval for change is often achieved by having all the stakeholders dislike you ……. equally. If no one group is happier than another, the wheels of government can keep turning without conflict.
OHS lobbyists are largely jumping the gun on the 18 May meeting. The Ministers are well aware of the attention OHS law reform is being given as they experienced something similar prior to the April WRMC meeting.
The Federal government has made no comment on the Model OHS Law Review reports since the final report was handed in on31 January 2009. No one knows exactly what the government response will be and whatever it is there will be plenty of time to address specific concerns with the government when a specific position is given.
Perhaps the media statements are intended to reassure the union and employer groups’ member that their represntatives have not forgotten about OHS. The real test of their worth will come next Tuesday when we will see whether these groups will stick with their own interests or the broader interest of all businesses, workers and the community.