Howard’s Razor Taken to OHS

Workplace safety has been added to John Howard’s Senate majority hit list, following the announcement of a business-led taskforce to cut regulations.

The Prime Minister and Treasurer Peter Costello revealed plans to set up the taskforce to review and remove regulation in areas such as health and safety and the environment.

The taskforce will look and suggest changes to regulations that are "unnecessarily burdensome" and look at options for business self-regulation.

Members of the taskforce include chairman of the Productivity Commission, Gary Banks, former managing director of the Australian Stock Exchange, corporate law expert Rod Halstead, and chairwoman of the Independent Contractors Association of Australia, Angela MacRae.

Unions NSW John Robertson said the move proved the Howard Government only interests were aligned with those of big business.

"Not content with laws that will rip away all basic rights from workers, the business lobby is now trying to free itself of any obligations on safety as well," Robertson said.

The move follows the Howard Government's unveiling of its workplace relations package, which clamps down on the right of entry of unions to workplaces and the ability of workers to take industrial action.

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Last modified: Tuesday, 15-Nov-2005 20:37:34 EST