Victoria has lashed out at the proposed Commonwealth OH&S harmonisation laws, saying that the legislation could cost the state more than $3.4 billion over the next five years.

 

Premier Ted Baillieu said the reform would compromise the state’s productivity and adversely affect its small business sector.

 

"The proposed laws do not deliver on the intent of the COAG reform agreed to in 2008 which aimed to reduce the cost of regulation and enhance productivity and workforce mobility," Mr Baillieu said.

 

"It is estimated that it will cost Victoria $812 million to transition to the new model and $587 million a year in the first five years in ongoing costs to businesses.”

 

Assistant Treasurer Gordon Rich-Phillips said any move to harmonise OH&S laws should decrease costs for business while still delivering a safe work environment.

 

The findings come from a report released by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

 

"The PwC assessment shows only three of 20 proposed changes would have a positive impact on Victorian businesses," Mr Rich-Phillips said.

 

The report can be found here