Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I am very pleased to say that these reforms have received almost unanimous support across the country. They were supported by state governments when we signed the COAG agreements, and they have had strong endorsement from business groups and trade unions. Those organisations recognise the absurdity of having nine different occupational health and safety laws and 400 sets of regulations. They recognise that business cannot continue to wait for this important reform and they have all called on governments to deliver by the agreed deadline of 1 January 2012. Peter Anderson, representing ACCI, is a strong supporter of harmonisation. He has called on state governments to ensure those laws are in place by January 2012. There is strong business, union and community support for getting this reform done, and we must do it.