A mid-year budget funding boost for WorkSafe ACT could allow the safety watchdog to establish itself as an independent regulator according to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Safety, Suzanne Orr.
Ms Orr said the funding of $8.7 million over four years, with $744,000 in 2019-2020, would enhance WorkSafe ACT’s ability to effectively respond to Canberra’s growing workforce needs.
“Safety is everyone’s responsibility and we must work together to create a strong safety culture so all workers can return home safe at the end of the day,” Ms Orr said.
“This funding boost will ensure Worksafe ACT can provide more inspectors, compliance activity, education programs and support staff to keep Canberra workers safe,” she said.
“Staffing will gradually increase to 12 additional full-time equivalent staff from 2020-21.”
The Minister said the funding would help deliver on the recommendations of a 2018 independent review of WorkSafe ACT and would include a new Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Commissioner position.
She said it was expected the new WHS Commissioner would be appointed following the completion of a selection process in the coming months.
“These extra resources will see the new Worksafe ACT in the strongest position ever to monitor and enforce compliance with WHS legislation and regulations,” Ms Orr said.
