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WORK HEALTH AMENDMENT (ADVISORY COUNCIL) BILL (Serial 36) Bill presented and read a first time. Mr STIRLING (Employment, Education and Training): Madam Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time. The bill incorporates provisions for an independent chairperson of the Work Health Advisory Council and, in addition, mandates that one of the 10 positions on the council allows for the appointment of the chief executive or delegate as a member of the council. The council presently consists of the chief executive officer as the chairperson and not more than 10 other members who are ministerial appointments. The Acting Deputy Chief Executive Education Services from the Department of Employment, Education and Training has undertaken the role of chairperson of the council at the delegation of the chief executive. The issue of the appointment of an independent chairperson to this council has been considered by Work Health Advisory Council members and industry stakeholders including employers, unions, the Insurance Council of Australia and legal representatives and all expressed a strong preference to appoint an independent chairperson of the council. In his consultancy report on the review and redesign of the Office of Work Health 2003, Mr David Lee also recommended the appointment of an independent chairperson of the Work Health Advisory Council. The Work Health Advisory Council's strategic direction is to forge partnerships with the business sector and work collaboratively for a safer working environment. This appointment of an independent chairperson would allow for a person from within Northern Territory industry and outside of government to lead our diverse professional and experienced Work Health Advisory Council membership to provide advice to the minister and to assist the progress of the key objective of keeping Territory workplaces free of injury, death and disease. The benefits of an independent chairperson of this council appointed by the minister are that the appointment will, by nature, infer a more transparent, equitable and industry-driven process for the provision of advice to the minister. The bill will allow the minister to choose an independent chairperson of high status who has qualifications and experience relevant to the position, thus raising the status and profile of the Work Health Advisory Council. The appointment would be perceived to be more independent of government, although government will still have representation on the council. Furthermore, the bill may be perceived by some sectors to make provision for a more impartial reflection of matters concerning occupational health and safety issues in the Northern Territory, and should result in improved participation levels from industry if the council is seen to be chaired by a person from the broader community. Madam Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members. Debate adjourned. |