Thursday, 14 November 2019

 Ms VAGHELA (Western Metropolitan) (18:23): My adjournment matter is for the Attorney-General and Minister for Workplace Safety, the Honourable Jill Hennessy. This adjournment matter relates to her portfolio responsibilities of workplace safety. The action I seek from the minister is that she ensure that the people of Western Metropolitan Region are made aware of the Andrews Labor government’s dangerous goods awareness campaign to assist people understand the role they can play in protecting the community from the illegal stockpiling of dangerous goods.

Victorians are being asked to keep a lookout for dodgy operators storing or handling dangerous goods in a way that might put the community at risk. The Andrews Labor government has recently launched an awareness campaign urging members of the public to call WorkSafe Victoria if they suspect that dangerous goods, such as containers of flammable liquids, are being stored, handled or disposed of in a way which is unsafe. On 31 October the Dangerous Goods Amendment (Penalty Reform) Bill 2019 passed the Parliament. Stricter and tougher penalties will make sure that offenders are held responsible for their dangerous actions. Anyone concerned about the storage and handling of dangerous goods can call WorkSafe’s advisory service on 1800 136 089. I commend the minister and the Andrews Labor government for making sure that our community is safe and that we remain tough on offenders who put Victorians at risk.