In a significant milestone towards the harmonisation of Australia's occupational health and safety (OHS) laws, the Review Panel met for the first time in Melbourne on 15 April.

Chair of the Panel, Mr Robin Stewart-Crompton said that the meeting was very productive, with a commitment from Panel members to ensuring a robust, wide-ranging and transparent consultation process.

"I am pleased to announce that our initial consultation with stakeholders will begin tomorrow and continue over the next six weeks," he said.

"Barry Sherriff, Stephanie Mayman and I will be visiting every State and Territory to engage with a wide range of stakeholders who have agreed to contribute to this process.

"We anticipate meeting with business, governments, unions and other interested parties.

"A discussion paper will be developed after the initial consultation and issued at the end of May. The formal public consultation process inviting written submissions will run from June to July 2008.

"We strongly encourage all who are considering making a written submission to start thinking about the issues that they may wish to raise.

"This meeting is the first step towards recommending an optimal structure and content of a model OHS Act that promotes safe workplaces, increases certainty for duty holders, reduces compliance costs for business and provides greater clarity for regulators without compromising safety outcomes.

"Our task is substantial, but we are confident that with continuing strong tripartite support we will meet the deadlines.

"Our final recommendations will be submitted to the Workplace Relations Ministers' Council in January 2009."

Information about the review, announced by the Deputy Prime Minister on 4th April, can be found at www.nationalohsreview.gov.au

Enquiries can be made to the National OHS Review Secretariat by email at [email protected] or by phoning 1300 131 798.

The next meeting of the Review Panel took place on 22 April 2008.