“Suitably qualified” looks dead

In many submissions to the Australian Government’s development of a Model OHS Act, there was a request, sometimes passionately made, for the inclusion of a legislative provision for “suitably qualified” OHS advisers.

This week’s Communique from the Australian, State, Territory And New Zealand Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council (WRMC) included no mention of “suitably qualified”.  So where does this leave the safety professionals?  What is the future of the WorkSafe-promoted Health & Safety Professionals Association?

For those safety professionals who wish to pursue the “suitably qualified” matter below is a list of the members and attendees of the latest WRMC meeting  (taken from the Communique) for you to follow-up.  However, it may be quicker to accept the reality and plan for professional credibility with the legislative crutch.

Kevin Jones

• The Deputy Prime Minister the Hon Julia Gillard MP, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations (Cth)
• The Hon John Robertson MLC, Minister for Industrial Relations (NSW)
• The Hon Michael Daley MP, Minister for Finance (NSW)
• The Hon Tim Holding MP, Minister for WorkCover (VIC)
• The Hon Cameron Dick MP, Minister for Industrial Relations (QLD)
• The Hon Paul Caica MP, Minister for Industrial Relations (SA)
• The Hon Troy Buswell MLA, Minister for Commerce (WA)
• The Hon Lisa Singh MP, Minister for Workplace Relations (TAS)
• Ms Katy Gallagher MLA, Minister for Industrial Relations (ACT)
• Ms Laurene Hull, Executive Director, NT WorkSafe (NT proxy)
• Mr Simon Finn MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Industrial Relations (QLD)

Apologies:

• The Hon Martin Pakula MP, Minister for Industrial Relations (VIC)
• Dr Christopher Burns MLA, Minister for Public Employment (NT)
• The Hon Kate Wilkinson MP, Minister of Labour (NZ)