Labor
will always fight for the rights of all workers to a safe workplace.
Labor welcomes
the fact that Minister Barnett has finally been forced to abandon his
standalone draconian and unconstitutional legislation and instead adopt Labor’s
proposed approach of strengthening offences in the Police Offences Act.
After
six years of Minister Barnett using worker’s safety in a political game, we
finally have legislation on the table that could see improved protection for
workers against radical green protests.
Labor
will always support the right to protest, but we don’t support any action that
places workers at risk.
While
we will be seeking to amend parts of the Bill before the Parliament to address
what appear to be unintended consequences that go beyond the aim of protecting
workers, we will support provisions that protect workers put at risk by radical
green protests.
However, if the Rockliff-Ferguson Government were genuine about worker safety they would also provide additional resources to the critically underfunded WorkSafe and implement all recommendations of the independent Boland Report, including legislating for Industrial Manslaughter.
Sarah Lovell
Shadow Minister for Workplace Relations
