Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I do not see the merit in some of these provisions. I do not see the merit in the ministerial council being able to direct Safe Work Australia to make specified alterations to its strategic plan. This is not just about putting something in place to deal with unforeseen circumstances in the future. I would have thought you could have written that particular clause differently if that was the intent. But this is clearly designed to override the final strategic and operational plans of Safe Work Australia.

Admittedly, the Greens were planning to move stronger amendments in terms of dealing with the draft. But we thought, no, let us give the opposition their due. The opposition did not want to go as far as that, and we thought that was fair enough. On some of the amendments the opposition are making, we were prepared to not go in as hard on the draft process as we had planned. But, when it comes to these final strategic and operational plans, it is quite clear that a cosy deal has been done between the states and territories and the Commonwealth to allow the ministerial council to override Safe Work Australia whenever it feels like it. There are no riders on this particular clause. It allows for specified alterations to Safe Work Australia’s strategic plan and requires that they give the altered plan to the council within the period specified in the direction. It is quite clear about the way it overrides Safe Work Australia. We do not think that is appropriate legislation. We do not think it should be given a tick. We do not think that particular clause is merited. The coalition seem to be agreeing with us.