Update of Review of Work Health Act, Mining Management Act and Petroleum Act

Work health regulatory arrangements in the Northern Territory (NT) are changing. In 2006, the NT government approved the amalgamation of Department of Planning and Infrastructure (DPI) (Electrical Safety) and Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mining (DPIFM) (Mines Safety) occupational health and safety (OHS) regulatory functions into NT WorkSafe, within the Department of Employment, Education and Training (DEET). Concurrently, Minister Henderson whom is responsible for DEET also seeks to ensure that the Work Health Act, regulations and penalties are contemporary Australian practice.

To support these two initiatives, a review of the Work Health Act (WHA) and the Mining Management Act (MMA) by Shaw Idea Pty Ltd was commissioned.

Shaw Idea led a consortium of consultants with a broad range of complementary skills and knowledge and experience of the Australian OHS regulatory system. Members of the consortium were:

• Andrea Shaw, Shaw Idea Pty Ltd, Ballarat (Project leader)
• Dr Verna Blewett, New Horizon Consulting Pty Ltd, Adelaide
• Professor Neil Gunningham, Gunningham and Associates, Canberra
• Professor Richard Johnstone, Griffith University, Brisbane and Australian National University,
• Heather Baker-Goldsmith, Heather Baker-Goldsmith Safety Solutions, Ballarat

The final report details the findings of the review. It includes a desktop review of Australian state/territory OHS legislation and regulations to identify contemporary legislative practice in Australia and the findings of the stakeholder consultation undertaken for the review.

Review of Work Health Act, Mining Management Act and Petroleum Act

Friday 30 March 2007

In 2006, the Northern Territory Government approved the amalgamation of the OHS regulatory functions from the Department of Planning and Infrastructure - Electrical Safety and the Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mining - Mines Safety into the Department of Employment, Education and Training through NT WorkSafe. Concurrently, the Minister for Employment, Education and Training is seeking to ensure the Work Health Act, Regulations and penalties are contemporary Australian practice. To support these initiatives, Shaw Idea Pty Ltd has been commissioned to conduct a review of the Work Health Act, the Mining Management Act and the Petroleum Act.

Stakeholders are invited to provide input into the review. An issues paper has been developed by Shaw Idea outlining the requirements of the review and the issues to be further examined.

A Future Inquiry Workshop will be facilitated by Shaw Idea on 26 April 2007 to engage stakeholders. This workshop will aim to examine past problems and consider future directions from lessons learned. Please email debbi.rowlands@nt.gov.au if you would like to attend.