ARTICLE · 03 NOVEMBER 2015

Immediate right of entry restored in Queensland

Sparke Helmore Lawyers

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This Bill restores immediate entry powers for WHS permit holders to workplaces in the event of suspected safety breaches.

AustraliaEmployment and HR

Matthew Smith (Formerly With Sparke Helmore Lawyers)

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As a follow up to our alert on the introduction of the Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (the Bill) earlier this year, we wanted to advise that the Bill was passed by the Queensland Parliament on 14 October 2015.

Most importantly, the Bill—introduced by the Palaszcuk Government as part of its election promise—restores immediate entry powers for work health and safety (WHS) permit holders to workplaces in the event of suspected safety breaches. This reverses the previous Government's amendments to the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld).

The date of commencement is to be determined after proclamation.

Changes

In addition to restoring the immediate right of entry provisions, further changes include:

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