Current Issues (Issue 3)

By on July 2, 2000

Thank you for taking the time to read our third and final issue for 2000, now that you have a little spare time following a busy lead up to and from the festive season.

It was a demanding last quarter of 2000 for CMPA committees due to the need to deal with many issues including:

A/        To progress the ‘Rehabilitation Bond’ report, prepared by Dr David Prentice of Latrobe University.

B/        Provide response to the State Government’s Draft ‘Crimes [Industrial Manslaughter] Bill’, which proposes the introduction of ‘Industrial Manslaughter’ as an offence, and promotes increased penalties for breaches of health and safety regulations. This bill is scheduled for introduction during the forthcoming autumn sitting of State Parliament.

The CMPA have been invited to comment on a second issue paper from the Attorney-General’s Department, in an attempt to develop the best legislation. Receipt of this issue paper is expected late in January 2001.

C/        Provide response to the EPA’s [Environment Protection Authorities] Port Phillip ‘Draft Air Quality Improvement Plan’.

On 21st December 2000 the EPA sent the CMPA a copy of ‘Protecting Victoria’s Air Environment’, a draft variation to State environment protection policy [Air Quality Management], State environment protection policy [Ambient Air Quality], and draft Policy Impact Assessment. The EPA seeks comment from the CMPA and submissions are to be completed before 30th April 2001.  Preparation on the CMPA submission is underway.

A copy of support information is available to interested members by request through the Secretary.

D/        Provide response to the DNRE’s Native Vegetation Controls.

This issue was noted at the last EMIAB meeting as potential damaging and the CMPA has since commented via an issue paper.

E/        The CMPA was grateful to receive a request from the Honourable Candy Broad, Minister for Energy and Resources for input on high-level priorities which may impact on next years Victorian Budget. Our input is requested by the 12th of January 2001.

F/        Discussions continue with the CMPA legal representatives Nevett Ford on concerns they hold with our Articles of Association, and a meeting is scheduled for 19th January 2001 for clarification of issues including:

  • The precise categories of membership along with qualifications and rights applicable to each.
  • How the various committees are elected or appointed plus their powers and duties.
  • How membership fees are calculated and paid.
  • How the officeholders are elected or appointed.

G/        Our draft EIH/1 Employee Induction Handbook is also on the move with four geographical member consultation meetings held during December 2000.  This handbook has been passed to the DNR&E [Department of Resources and Environment] and Work Cover for review.  Whilst comment received to date is supportive and encouraging of this concept, specific comments will be forthcoming.  Further drafts will be prepared for review and refinement, and the booklet will in the near future be distributed to CMPA members as a resource in conjunction with its own training package.

Quarry Manager Qualifications

During a recent meeting between the DNR&E and representatives of the quarry and mining industries it was revealed that the new Mineral Resources Development Act allows mine managers qualifications to be replaced with the owner of the mine appointing a competent person to manage the mine.  In the future this initiative could find its way into the extractive industry.

Attendance at the next general meeting will provide an outline of courses which are a pre-requisite to attainment of industry qualifications.

Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS]

The CMPA is moving to ensure that quality data is available for the future. Some effort had been expended in review of information presently available to ascertain what if any value this provides our industry sector.  It appears that the base lines for collection of data vary from state to state, so comparable information appears to be of minimal if of any value to industry.  Information we consider as desirable to industry is being collated for further discussion with the ABS.

The ABS has also offered to contribute a future article for publication in CMPA News, on the importance of information collected.

Next Meeting

Venue:
The CMPA’s seventh [7th] general meeting will commence at 6.30 pm on the 23rd February 2001 at BP Oasis Somerton, located at the corner of Cooper Street and Hume Highway Epping. Orica Australia Pty Ltd will sponsor this meeting.  A copy of the agenda will be posted to reach members five days prior to the meeting.

Attendance:
At this meeting voting members [Processor’s], are asked to invite their family or key personnel to keep them abreast of CMPA activities, and non-voting members [Suppliers] are invited to send a key representative. Past and present employees holding Associate Membership are welcome to attend any general meeting.

Interim agenda        

6.30 to 7pm   General business

7 to 7.45pm   First Guest speaker: Mr Larry Arnost from Box Hill College of TAFE will address members on education of our senior people, on what courses are available and why we need to support Box Hill TAFE. Timeframe includes questions on this topic.

7.45 to 8.15   Interval

8.15 to 9.30   Second Guest speaker: Mr Grant Stillman, Manager of OAMPS Insurance will present a paper on how they can assist the CMPA’s and members’ understanding of what Insurance options are available, and how existing policies may be refined.  Timeframe includes questions on this topic.

We look forward to your support by attendance at this important meeting.

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