Wayne Berry MLA

ACT Legislative Assembly Member for Ginninderra

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Occupational Health and Safety

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During the Hospital Implosion Inquest the Coroner raised concerns that the ability to prosecute under OH&S legislation was about to lapse due to the length of the coronial inquiry into the death of Katie Bender.

Following the Liberal government’s failure to move on the Coroner’s concerns the Assembly backed Wayne’s moves to remedy the situation. The legislation allowed prosecution to be commenced within one year of the conclusion of a coronial inquiry ensuring the people of Canberra can be confident that the full extent of the law can be carried out.

Later the Assembly again agreed with Wayne and extended the period to three years allowing prosecutions to be pursued in the courts.

The recommendations of the Coroner arising from the inquiry into the tragic hospital implosion made it clear that there was a need for statutory independence of occupational health and safety authorities in the Territory.

This arose because of evidence suggesting the possibility of interference in the work of inspectors before the implosion.

Wayne succeeded with a bill which creates an Occupational Health and Safety Commissioner with statutory independence to ensure these difficulties would be avoided in the future.

He intends to continue with his work on making workplaces safer.

Legislation

Occupational Health and Safety (Amendment) Bill 1995, prin, 899
Occupational Health and Safety (Amendment) Bill 1997, prin, 2716; detail, 2780
Occupational Health and Safety (Amendment) Bill 1999, prin, 182, 784, 1029; detail, 1030, 1036
Occupational Health and Safety (Amendment) Bill (No. 2) 1999, prin, 1889
Occupational Health and Safety (Amendment) Bill 2000, prin, 1013; detail, 1863
Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2000 (No 2), prin, 1848
Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2000 (No 3), prin, 2886, 3200
Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2000 (No. 4), prin, 3350
Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2000 (No 4), prin, 1106; detail, 1111
WorkCover Authority Bill 1999, prin, 3908, 3916, 3921

Hansard Statements

1995 Week 9, 2279q, 2356q
1996 Week 4, 899
1997 Week 9, 2716, 2780

Occupational health and safety, 182, 1889
Occupational health and safety, 1013, 1239, 1848, 1863, 2886, 3350
Occupational health and safety, 1106, 1111, 1115

Media Statments

18 October 2001 Labor's Plan for Workers - Workers will Win Under Labor
18 October 2001 Workplace Safety - On the Spot Fines in Train
20 September 2001 Criminal Sanctions for Workplace Injuries and Deaths
18 October 2000 Berry Extends Occupational Health And Safety Provisions - Again
6 September 2000 Berry Moves To Extend Occupational Health And Safety Provisions - Again
29 March 2000 Berry Moves To Guarantee Independence Of WorkCover
8 December 1999 Assembly Passes Berry's Occupational Health And Safety Bill
5 November 1999 Occupational Health And Safety Bill Set To Go - Berry
1 July 1999 Occupational Health And Safety Legislation To Be Strengthened