"A number of recommendations of the Government's recent review of occupational health and safety legislation could affect the business investment climate and will need to be carefully assessed", says VECCI Chief Executive Officer, Mr Neil Coulson.

"Best-practice OH&S is about employers and employees taking a shared responsibility to prevent accidents, and Maxwell Report recommendations which strengthen this approach will be viewed favourably.

"We will be equally wary of recommendations which seek the easy way out and promote legislation as a quick fix.

"At the end of the day, a balance must be achieved between an effective regulatory framework and the need to attract and retain business investment in a dynamic, competitive and fast-changing global economy", says Mr Coulson