Hansard debates

Steve DIMOPOULOS (Oakleigh – Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Sport, Minister for Equality) (11:35): Under the Statewide Treaty Act 2025, I table a statement of treaty compatibility:

1. In accordance with section 66 of the Statewide Treaty Act 2025, I table a statement of Treaty compatibility for the Workplace Legislation Amendment (Accident Compensation and Other Matters Bill 2026 (the Bill).

2. In my opinion, the Bill is compatible with the matters set out in section 66(3)(d) of the Statewide Treaty Act 2025. I base my opinion on the reasons outlined in this statement.

Overview of the Bill

3. The Bill makes various amendments to the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act ‍2013, the Accident Compensation Act 1985, the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Dangerous Goods) Act 2026 (OHS (DG) Act) and the Transport Accident Act 1986 to:

(a) expand the forms of security self-insurers and non-WorkCover employers under the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 may use to fulfill their financial guarantee requirements;

(b) enhance the ability of Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) and Authorised Representatives of Registered Employee Organisations (ARREOs) to identify and resolve occupational health and safety (OHS) issues;

(c) safeguard against conduct that undermines the effectiveness and integrity of the OHS representation framework;

(d) make administrative improvements to the OHS representation framework;

(e) enable the OHS Act amendments to survive the later commencement of the OHS (DG) Act and ensure amendments made to the same sections are not in conflict;

(f) clarify that the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and WorkSafe Victoria (WorkSafe) are not liable to fund the accommodation costs associated with specialist disability accommodation;

(g) align approval of the terms and conditions of the Chair of the WorkSafe Board with that of Directors of WorkSafe; and

(h) clarify how Medical Panels fees are set.

Consultation with the First Peoples’ Assembly of Gellung Warl

4. Based on my understanding that the Bill is unlikely to have a significant effect on First Peoples or Statewide Treaty, the First Peoples’ Assembly of Gellung Warl was not given the opportunity to advise on, and did not make representations on, the Bill.

Compatibility of the Bill with each of the objects in section 66(3)(d) of the Statewide Treaty Act 2025

5. I have considered whether the Bill is compatible with the objects at section 66(3)(d) of the Statewide Treaty Act 2025:

a. advancing the inherent rights and self‑determination of First Peoples; and

b. addressing the unacceptable disadvantage inflicted on First Peoples by the historic wrongs and ongoing injustices of colonisation; and

c. ensuring the equal enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by First Peoples.

6. In my opinion, the Bill does not in its terms deal with First Peoples, nor is it expected that any aspects of the Bill will, in practice, have a differential effect on First Peoples.

Conclusion

7. Accordingly, in my opinion, for the reasons stated above, the Bill is compatible with each of the objects in in section 66(3)(d)(i)–(iii) of the Statewide Treaty Act 2025.

Steve Dimopoulos MP

Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC

Minister for Sport

Minister for Equality