Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.

I seek leave to add to an answer.

Leave granted.

At the commencement of question time today the Leader of the Opposition asked me about occupational health and safety laws. For the further information of the House, the agreement that I struck required states and territories to have their new model laws in place by 1 January 2012. I can advise the House that New South Wales has passed its laws, Queensland has passed its laws, South Australia introduced its laws for passage on 19 May, the ACT will be introducing its laws for passage tomorrow, Western Australia will harm­onise—they have said they will do that and they have the balance of the year to do it and be on time—and Victoria has the balance of the year to do it and be on time. As for the Commonwealth government, we released an exposure draft for consultation on 26 May and the bill will be legislated in the Spring sittings this year. That means this is exactly on time, exactly as promised and occup­ational health and safety reform being delivered by this government. That eluded the Howard government for 11 long years. If you want success on streamlining our economy, look to a Labor government, not to the conservatives.

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