One of the reasons I quite like having a State Government.... sometimes.THE nation's foremost business and industry organisations have told Kristina Keneally they are ''appalled'' at her decision to back away from a deal with the federal government to implement a national set of workplace safety laws.
In a letter to the Premier, the five organisations said NSW risked losing investment, jobs and credibility ''if it walks away from its commitment to the agreed national laws''.
''We are on the verge of a once-in-a-generation opportunity to end frustration for businesses across the country and to allow companies to concentrate on safety outcomes rather than drowning under legal opinions,'' the letter said.
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It was co-signed by the heads of the Australian Industry Group, the Australian Constructors Association, the Business Council of Australia, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Australia Federation of Employers and Industry.
Last December, after lengthy negotiations, all states and territories except Western Australia agreed to adopt a uniform set of occupational health and safety laws.
Last week Ms Keneally, with the support of Unions NSW and the ACTU, backed out of the deal, with the demand that two union-friendly provisions be included - the right of unions to prosecute for a safety breach, and a reversal of the onus of proof.
The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, who is threatening to withhold $144 million in funds to NSW if it does not abide by the agreement, is not interested in negotiating with Ms Keneally because a deal had already been struck.
It is understood Ms Gillard is prepared to wait the matter out, given NSW Labor is expected to lose power at the March 26 election and the Liberal leader, Barry O'Farrell, supports the national laws.
Ms Gillard told Parliament yesterday that the universal workplace safety laws were ''at the core'' of the uniform business reforms achieved through the Council of Australian Governments process. She said implementing the laws were in the best interests of business and workers in NSW.
I wish there was a little more information on what "uniform workplace safety laws" were but I don't much like the sound of those.