AALARA supports new Queensland safety legislation but asks for improved consultation on changes

The Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association Inc (AALARA) has welcomed the Best Practice Review of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland’s focus on the safety of amusement facilities but says industry consultation is necessary to ensure effective implementation of safety improvements for both workers and the public.

The body responsible for representing the amusement, leisure and recreation industries in Australia highlighted concerns with the report particularly around industry consultation.

AALARA President, Dax Eddy, stated that the peak body whole-heartedly supports changes that improve public safety as a priority for the industry.

However, Eddy expressed concerns at the lack of industry consultation undertaken to date and welcomed Queensland Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace’s commitment to work with industry around implementation of any new arrangements.

Eddy (pictured) explained “as the peak body representing the amusement, leisure and recreation industries across Australia, we have a key role to play in providing an operator perspective to the changes, and also assisting with any implementation.

“We don’t believe we have been adequately consulted to this point and we think for these changes to work industry absolutely needs to play a part in any implementation planning.”

“The leisure industry is a key plank in the tourism market in Australia, employs tens of thousands of people nationally and is worth more than $47.5 billion annually.

“Safety is priority number one and must be a focus, we absolutely agree on that.

“So let’s work collaboratively with regulators, industry and the relevant bodies to ensure we get an outcome that is both safe and sustainable.”

AALARA has officially requested a briefing from the Queensland Department of Employment and Industrial Relations on the recommendations and the implications for industry across regulatory, compliance and training requirements.

Eddy added “there can be no doubt – for these changes to be effective industry will need to be adequately consulted on the implementation of this review.”

Earlier this week, the Queensland Government announced that it plans to implement all 58 recommendations from an audit following the Dreamworld theme park ride accident that killed four people in October last year.

Under sweeping changes to protect theme park and amusement attraction guests, as well people in other workplaces, the Queensland Government announced that industrial manslaughter laws will be introduced while safety around amusement rides will also be tightened, including increased inspections and record keeping by operators, and possible licensing of people operating rides.

In the wake of the announcement there has been speculation that many older rides in theme parks and at travelling shows will have to be decommissioned.

AALARA is the peak national body representing the amusement, leisure and recreation industry of Australia and has particular responsibilities in the areas of safety, operations and management within these industries.

For more information visit www.aalara.com.au

23rd August 2017 - QUEENSLAND TO IMPLEMENT NEW SAFETY LAWS FOLLOWING DREAMWORLD TRAGEDY REPORT

10th August 2017 - QUEENSLAND AUTHORITIES FOCUS ON EKKA SAFETY

20th July 2017 - SUMMIT DELEGATES TO BE EQUIPPED WITH SKILLS TO COMMUNICATE IN A CRISIS

17th July 2017 - REPORT SHOW MULTIPLE WORKSAFE VICTORIA SAFETY IMPROVEMENT NOTICES SLAPPED ON CARNIVAL RIDES

29th June 2017 - INDUSTRY SUMMIT TO EQUIP PROFESSIONALS WITH ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS 

17th May 2017 - DAX EDDY TAKES ON AALARA PRESIDENCY

3rd May 2017 - AALARA 2017 TO FEATURE KEY SESSIONS ON CRITICAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT

16th April 2017 - CONSULTING ENGINEER REBUTS AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY RIDE SAFETY ‘INVESTIGATION’

6th April 2017 - AALARA 2017 CONFERENCE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON ATTRACTIONS SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE 

4th April 2017 - ARDENT LEISURE CHIEF EXECUTIVE ‘APPEARED TO BE DUCKING FOR COVER’ FOLLOWING DREAMWORLD FATALITIES 

14th March 2017 - VILLAGE ROADSHOW THEME PARKS HIGHLIGHTS SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE SYSTEMS

13th March 2017 - PARKZ WEBSITE LAUNCHES SUPPORT OUR THEME PARKS CAMPAIGN 

14th December 2016 - NON-COMPLIANCE IN ATTRACTIONS AND ENTERTAINMENT HAS ITS COSTS

29th October 2016 - QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT TO UNDERTAKE ‘SAFETY BLITZ’ ON THEME PARKS

25th October 2016 - 

FOUR KILLED IN TRAGIC INCIDENT ON DREAMWORLD’S THUNDER RIVER RAPIDS RIDE

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.