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"Save the OHS commission in Australia"

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20 July, 2000A high profile campaign is underway in Australia to save the National OHS Commission from decimation by the conservative government.

AUSTRALIA: Workplace Relations Minister in Australia, Peter Reith, has decided to arbitrarily move the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) from Sydney to Canberra. Reith also wants to outsource the NOHSC library and end the close working relationship between NOHSC and the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme.
NOHSC is the tripartite national body that coordinates and leads national occupational health and safety efforts and programs to prevent workplace death and injury in Australia.
The Commission consists of representatives from all Australian governments, and the peak workers and employers organisations - the ACTU and ACCI. It maintains technical expertise about chemicals and other hazardous substances.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is represented on the Commission and has been vocal in its support for NOHSC, particularly expressing concern about the fate of the library collection. Massive job losses are also anticipated and a number of services have been identified for outsourcing.