Labor govt deal downgrades NSW workplace safety, sidelines unions

"The Work Health and Safety proposal backed by Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard and now supported by all state Labor workplace ministers is a bad compromise that would downgrade job safety in NSW," Ms Rhiannon said.

"The Greens support the criticism of the Gillard plan voiced by the ACTU.

"Unions and their peak bodies have been sidelined in this rush by the federal and state Labor governments to sign off on their harmonisation plan.

"It is revealing that business groups are applauding Ms Gillard's work while a number of union leaders have voiced their concerns.

"We are not against attempts to bring consistency to the many occupational health and safety laws and regulations across the different states and territories, but the aim always has to be to raise standards, not to leave workers worse off.

"Existing occupational health and safety laws have come about through the struggle and sacrifice of working people over many decades.

"No one has the right to water down these conditions.

"Harmonisation is not an end in itself. The process of building consistency across different jurisdictions needs to have the objective that it is about improving conditions for all, not doing trade offs so some workers are worse off.

"The Greens support retaining the obligation on employers to prove that their workplace is safe, and retaining the ability of community groups, unions or any third party to prosecute employers. 

"There should be no backing away from the right of union representatives to access workplaces to inspect suspected breaches of work safety.

"The Greens will be campaigning with unions to ensure that the higher workplace safety standards in NSW are not compromised," Ms Rhiannon said.

Contact:    Greens MP Lee Rhiannon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568