Right of Entry Laws Passed
In today’s changing industrial relations world it’s good to see that there there is still some support for the ordinary worker and some checks on those employers who want to be un-Australian and not give a man a fair go.
The Beattie Government today passed laws allowing unions the right to enter workplaces on health and safety grounds.
Industrial Relations Minister Tom Barton said this was a good result for the Queensland workforce.
“This legislation will assist in keeping workplaces safe,” he said.
He said the legislation will bring Queensland into line with the current rights existing in NSW, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory.
“This legislation will not give unions unfettered access to Queensland workplaces on the pretext of worker safety,” he said.
“Authorised representatives will still have to meet some strict conditions, such as providing 24 hours notice where they wish to inspect employment records for fatigue and associated issues, and will require a Federal permit to enter premises.
“There are strong penalties under WorkChoices for entering a workplace on health and safety grounds and for intervening in another matter.”
Mr Barton said other amendments included moving the protection of injured workers from the Industrial Relations Act 1999 to the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003.
He said the debate over the legislation had exposed further division with the Queensland Nationals, who expressed widely varying views during the debate on the legislation.
