WA poised to export occupational health services to Asia

6/5/94

Western Australia is poised to export occupational health and safety services on a commercial basis into Asia as an important component of a general push on the export of services.

In closing a two-week training program for 35 occupational health physicians from Thailand in Perth today, Labour Relations Minister Graham Kierath said WA would be aggressively pursuing the export market opportunities.

"WA has world-class occupational health and safety and rehabilitation services to meet the demands of Western Australian industry and the community, with additional capabilities for development of export services to the Asian region," Mr Kierath said.

"Western Australian Government agencies and tertiary institutions have been involved in the delivery of occupational health and safety programs in Asia for the International Labour Organisation, the Asian Productivity Organisation, and the United Nations.

"While these aid programs are important, we are keen to pursue direct income and jobs for the State by provision of services on a commercial basis."

Citing the recently opened 'Friendship Bridge' between Thailand and Laos over the Mekong River, Mr Kierath said WA construction and engineering companies had been successful in gaining major projects overseas and were keen to ensure their local contract workforce operated to WA occupational health and safety standards.

"Some of the construction projects in the Asian region are massive and the requirements for training of skilled workers to acceptable safety standards is similarly huge," he said.

Mr Kierath said the Commonwealth Government's White Paper on the Economy and Employment failed to acknowledge the strengths of Australia's health and education services and their potential for export throughout the Asia Pacific region with consequential generation of jobs and income for Australia.

"The State Government will be pursuing this job creation potential," he said.

Media contact:  Brian Coulter 222 9595 or 381 2133