Bulletin

Safety Bulletin - July 2023

Australia – Bill to create respiratory disease registry introduced

The Australian Government has introduced a Bill to Parliament that, if passed, will establish a National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry. The legislation will require medical practitioners that diagnose silicosis to notify it, and allow for consensual notification of other occupational respiratory diseases. The information from the registry will assist in detecting trends and emerging respiratory health risks, as well as how interventions and preventions are operating.

Australia – Labour hire regulation to become national

The Australian Government has consulted on creating national labour hire regulation, which would replace the existing licensing schemes in certain states and territories. The proposal within the consultation paper outlines that a licensing scheme would be regulated by the Fair Work Ombudsman, requiring labour hire providers in any industry in Australia to hold a licence that would need to be renewed annually.

Australia – International convention for workplace violence and harassment ratified

The Australian Government has ratified an international treaty, the Violence and Harassment Convention, which commits Australia to ensuring laws have a suitable framework that prevents and eliminates violence and harassment in the workplace, including gender-based violence. The Convention applies to all workers, job seekers and employers, requires privacy and confidentiality of those involved, covers the right to equality and non-discrimination of women and vulnerable groups, and will support domestic violence leave entitlements to mitigate workplace impacts. The Convention will come into force in June 2024.