WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY

The Hon. P.L. WHITE (Taylor) (15:10): My question is Minister for Industrial Relations. What is the government doing to promote workplace health and safety for South Australian employers and employees?

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee—Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Finance, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:11): Yesterday I had the pleasure of officially opening Safe Work 2007, South Australia's premier occupational health, safety and welfare event. I acknowledge that the members for Morialta, Unley, Ashford and Hartley were all in attendance. The Safe Work 2007 program of events runs in conjunction with National Safe Work Australia Week, meaning that all round the nation attention is being focused on workplace safety issues.

The government commits to this event each year because we are determined to deliver safer workplaces for all South Australians. By arming workers and employers with practical information and a better understanding of how to prevent accidents, we can all work together to reduce death, injury and disease at work. Safe Work 2007 brings together presenters from unions, employers and support groups who will collectively cover a broad range of occupational health and safety topics. In particular, I welcome the involvement of leading community groups such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Cancer Council of South Australia. Workers and employers will have the opportunity to learn about such things as identifying and reducing OHS risks at the workplace, achieving work/life balance, OHS for small business operators, and improving OHS standards in the mining sector.

Safe Work 2007 is a great time for everyone in the community to get quality information and advice that will put them on the path to a safer workplace. I urge all members of this house to promote the benefits of Safe Work 2007 and to work with us to deliver safer workplaces for all South Australians.