News Articles

ARA Applauds Gillard move to review national OH&S laws

Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) applauds the Rudd Government’s announcement to commence a national review into Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) laws.

According to the ARA’s Executive Director Richard Evans, the retail sector would see any move to standardise complex OH&S laws across the country as a move in the right direction.

“We have been seeking this move from the Federal Government for many years and this is a positive development. We look forward to working with the Government to maximise outcomes,“ Evans said.

“The ARA wholeheartedly agrees with the sentiment of the review and the need to cut red tape, boost business efficiency and provide greater certainty and protections for all workplace parties.

“Further, in this time of economic uncertainty - with interest rate instability and drops in consumer confidence and retail spend - any streamlining of regulations and bureaucratic process is welcomed. We also ask that the Rudd Government not stop with OH&S but also look at nationalising retail leasing laws which is a huge regulatory burden on retailers in this country,” Evans said.

OH&S affects every workplace in Australia. At present, the Australian States, Territories and the Commonwealth all have differing OH&S laws that aim to prevent workplace death, injury and disease.

For over 104 years, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body in Australia's $292 billion retail sector which employs over 1.2 million people. As an incorporated employer body under the Workplace Relations Act and with a range of member services including business consulting, policy development, advocacy and education, the ARA promotes and protects over 5000 independent and national retailers throughout Australia. Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

Download

Options:

View Archives