ACCORDING to the
National Safety Council of Australia (NCSA), the
2008 to 2009 Federal Budget is a clear indication of the government’s aim to harmonise occupational health and safety (OHS) laws.
The Budget papers explicitly claimed national approaches to OHS and workers’ compensation will “cut red tape, boost business efficiency and provide greater certainty and protections for all workplace parties”.
It also indicated plans to grow the
Comcare scheme. The premium rate needed to fund the lifetime cost of injuries will be slightly higher for 2008/2009 than for the previous year.
Financially, the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act of 1988 will be amended. The one-off lump sum death benefits will increase to $0.4m, and periodic payments for dependant children will increase to $110 per week.
Manufacturers and other industries will also benefit from the $16m commitment over four years to the Australian
Customs Service. This will increase the authority’s ability to inspect and examine containers at regional ports to detect illicit and potentially dangerous goods.
An additional $166.5m will be spent over two years to replace expiring medicines and pandemic vaccines at the National Medical Stockpile.
