Tuesday, 31 March 2026

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC) (12:12): I move:

That I introduce a bill for an act to amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 to regulate the handling, and activities involving the handling, of dangerous goods including security-sensitive ammonium nitrate and explosives at workplaces and other places and for other purposes.

Motion agreed to.

 Cindy McLEISH (Eildon) (12:12): I request that we also have a brief explanation of this bill.

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC) (12:13): The Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Dangerous Goods) Bill 2026 modernises the regulation of dangerous goods by incorporating them into the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, strengthens the enforcement of dangerous goods duties and strengthens WorkSafe’s powers to address serious risks from dangerous goods. The bill also delivers on the Victorian government’s commitment to improving the regulation of dangerous goods in Victoria by implementing accepted recommendations and associated regulations from the independent review of the Dangerous Goods Act 1985.

Read first time.

Ordered to be read second time tomorrow.