"Ai Group calls on political parties and Independents in Tasmania and the Northern Territory, and the remaining States, to complete the picture and give Australian workplaces unified safety laws for the first time in our history," Australian Industry Group Chief Executive Heather Ridout, said today.

"Tasmania and the Northern Territory in particular still have the opportunity to pass the uniform laws before the Christmas recess to allow them to have harmonised safety laws and join Qld, NSW, the ACT and the Commonwealth in time for implementation on 1 January 2012.

"More than half the Australian workforce work in jurisdictions that have passed harmonised work health and safety laws. This is a key step in creating a modern, seamless economy with a single high standard on workplace safety.

"It is critical that our federal system of Government delivers a uniform Work Health and Safety (WHS) system that all jurisdictions have previously agreed is an important step forward for Australia. While we are hopeful South Australia will pass the laws when Parliament resumes early in the new year, it is a concern that Victoria and Western Australia continue to delay, compounding the difficulties of the existing fragmented approach," Mrs Ridout said.

Further comment:
Mark Goodsell - 02 9466 5566