Category: law

Training Alone Won’t Protect Electrical Apprentices

In August 2025, the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) released some disturbing occupational health and safety (OHS) statistics involving electrical apprentices. The story was picked up by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in October, Australia’s Safe Work Month. The focus was on improving safety training for apprentices; however, this focus is primarily on lower-order hazard controls and overlooked employer OHS obligations. I contacted the ETU and EnergySafe Victoria. The ETU didn’t get back to me but below is EnergySafe’s informative response.

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Decent Work is so 2015

Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has talked about occupational health and safety (OHS)….. a bit. On November 4, 2025, the PM addressed the IndustriALL Global Union 4th Congress. According to the congress’ website it:

‘…will bring together trade union representatives from around the world to discuss the future of work and reinforce their collective commitment to fundamental rights and social justice.”

So, it would be odd if OHS were not mentioned or discussed. (The Congress does maintain an OHS page)

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Another Step on the Long Road to Protecting Gig Workers

On October 21, 2025, the Australian Capital Territory’s Parliament debated (page P3249) expanding workers’ compensation to gig workers. Impediments to change were similar to those mentioned in various parliamentary inquires and debates ever since gig work developed into an industry sector and gig workers started to die at work. But the amendment passed so progress was made.

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What We Lose When NDAs Win

Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are a contentious device used by lawyers, often as part of the settlement of a legal dispute. These came to the fore in the context of sexual harassment several years ago. The Victorian government has proposed a bill to Parliament that, according to the Australian Financial Review (AFR), will increase transparency. This should assist in determining changes to work processes that are as low as is reasonably practicable.

NDAs have been an insidious tool, especially in relation to sexual harassment at work.

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NSW Debates Dollars While Workers Break Down

In New South Wales, reduced workers’ compensation for those workers suffering from a mental injury remains a politically hot topic. Independent Member of Parliament, Alex Greenwich, asked the Minister for Work Health and Safety, Sophie Cotsis, about maintaining “the sustainability of premiums”. This opened the door for Cotsis to inform the House and to attack the (Conservative) opposition. The debate highlighted the continuing misdirection from much more important and key occupational health and safety (OHS) reforms.

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No Excuses, No Transition – Navigating Victoria’s New Psych Safety Code

Maddocks law firm has just concluded the second part of their psychological health and safety seminars. Lawyers Catherine Dunlop and Dale McQualter have the advantage of following a seminar on the same topic held by Victoria’s occupational health and safety (OHS) regulator just the other day. The advantage with this seminar is that the lawyers feel comfortable in giving their opinions and advice in contrast to the careful words of the WorkSafe people.

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Sex Work in the New South Wales Parliament

That sex work is a legitimate occupation is far less contentious in Australia than in the past, but the reality still requires reinforcement every so often, and we can all learn things from this industry.

On October 23, 2025, Greens Member of Parliament, Abigail Boyd, asked the New South Wales Parliament to recognise

Continue reading “Sex Work in the New South Wales Parliament”
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