Incentives are part of the capitalist economic and social system in which we operate but this does not mean proposals should not be questioned. I think your ruminations have merit and could be expanded.

The biggest incentive of all is to comply or pay and to make that work, authorities have to enforce without fear or favour. If industry or worker organisations have a problem with the law then they have the facility to effect change via representation to government on a number of levels.

Nothing beats the pain of significant financial consequence for failure to comply with law than best practice compliance with that law, simple but true.

There are no competing interests in OHSW, the law is the law, comply and everyone is happy, our unfunded liability reduces dramatically and best of all, we have a significant reduction in worker injury and the consequent ongoing costs to the community, let alone the misery for the worker and families.

Enforcement is cash positive for the regulating and policing authority and when it becomes cash negative then either the inspectors are not doing their job or the job has been done well and compliance is looking very good indeed.

All the OHSW people want to hear is how good they are at doing their job, any one who dares to stand and question is painted as a heretic and a naysayer.

People who have an interest in the industrial industry do have a great deal of information on many aspects but we are never asked for information nor when we speak up are we welcomed.