6Act binds the Crown

6 Act binds the Crown S. 6(1) amended by No. 48/2017 s. 9. (1) This Act and the regulations bind the Crown— (a) in right of the State of Victoria; and (b) to the extent that the legislative power of the Parliament permits, in all its other capacities. (2) To avoid doubt, the Crown is a body corporate for the purposes of this Act and the regulations. Part 2—The Authority Division 1—General functions and powers 7 Functions of the Authority (1) The Authority has the following functions— (a) to enquire into and report to the Minister on any matters referred to the Authority by the Minister (within the time specified by the Minister); (b) to make recommendations to the Minister with respect to— (i) the operation and administration of this Act and the regulations; and (ii) regulations or compliance codes that the Minister or the Authority proposes should be made or approved under this Act; and (iii) the establishment of public inquiries (if appropriate) into any matter relating to occupational health, safety and welfare; (c) to monitor and enforce compliance with this Act and the regulations; (d) to administer, examine, review and make recommendations concerning existing or proposed registration or licensing schemes relating to occupational health, safety and welfare; (e) to co‑operate with, and give advice and information to the following persons in relation to occupational health, safety and welfare— (i) corresponding Authorities; (ii) registered employee organisations (within the meaning of Part 8) and other organisations representing employers or employees; (iii) other interested persons; (f) to disseminate information about the duties, obligations and rights of persons under this Act or the regulations and to formulate standards, specifications or other forms of guidance for the purpose of assisting persons to comply with their duties and obligations; (g) to promote education and training by— (i) devising, in co-operation with educational and other bodies, courses in occupational health, safety and welfare; and (ii) approving courses in occupational health, safety and welfare (whether or not devised in co-operation with another body); and (iii) facilitating access to those courses; and (iv) initiating or promoting events such as conferences and forums, and the publication of information, relating to occupational health, safety and welfare; (h) to foster a co-operative, consultative relationship between employers and their employees in relation to the health, safety and welfare of those employees; (i) to engage in, promote and co‑ordinate the sharing of information to achieve the objects of this Act; (j) to promote public awareness and discussion of occupational health, safety and welfare issues and an understanding and acceptance of the principles of health and safety protection set out in section 4; (k) to develop and implement programs to provide incentives for employers— (i) to implement measures to eliminate or reduce risks to health or safety; and (ii) to otherwise improve occupational health, safety and welfare; (l) to monitor the operation of measures taken and arrangements put in place to ensure occupational health, safety and welfare; (m) to initiate and encourage research to identify efficient and effective strategies for improving occupational health, safety and welfare; (n) to collect and publish statistics relating to occupational health, safety and welfare. Note to s. 7(1) amended by No. 67/2013 s. 649(Sch. 9 item 25(2)). The **Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013** also confers functions on the Authority relating to occupational health, safety and welfare. (2) The Authority also has such other functions as are conferred on it by or under this Act. (3) Before the Authority makes a recommendation to the Minister under subsection (1)(b)(ii) concerning a proposed compliance code, it must issue the proposed compliance code for public review and comment. (4) However, the Authority need not comply with subsection (3) if the Minister considers that it is in the public interest that the proposed compliance code be made as soon as practicable. (5) The Authority must ensure, as far as possible, that information it gives is in a form and in such languages as is appropriate for the persons to whom it is directed.