Work health and safety legislation 

The Queensland Parliament has passed the Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017, establishing an independent statutory office for work health and safety prosecutions, introducing an offence of industrial manslaughter, and amending right-of-entry provisions.

Industry concerns were voiced by the Property Council that the amendments may result in a shift to reactive compliance, as opposed to supporting preventative safe work practices through improvements in education, advice and awareness. The Property Council’s submission can be accessed below.

The amendments contained in the Bill were the result of a Government review of the work health and safety laws following the fatalities at Dreamworld and Eagle Farm.