There are fears the New South Wales Government has abandoned its promise to businesses to overhaul the state's workplace health and safety laws.
The laws impose an absolute duty of care on employers - a demand that business groups have branded unrealistic and the biggest disincentive to investment in the state.
The other states require businesses to do what is "reasonably practical" to protect their employees.
Acting Industrial Relations Minister Tony Kelly says no decision has been made on the findings of a review of the state's system, even though Premier Morris Iemma promised the rules would be overhauled by the end of last year.
A report in The Australian newspaper says the Government has ditched its reform agenda to avoid a further clash with unions, which are furious about plans to privatise the state's power sector.
Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell says he has had the report confirmed by the department overseeing the process.
"This is another broken promise, with Morris Iemma now refusing to overhaul the state's workplace safety laws, despite his promise to do so at last year's state election and despite a Government review recommending reforms," he said.
"This is a betrayal of both the state's workers and employers.
"Reform is needed of workplace safety. We lead the nation in the number of workplace safety accidents."
Mr Kelly says the Government remains committed to harmonising the laws at a national level.
He says Cabinet is considering the findings of the review of the state's system.- Source: By Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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