Workplace safety: MP Ingrid Stitt not giving answers on telehandler course

Workplace Safety Minister Ingrid Stitt has dodged questions regarding a low-cost rural telehandler course in parliament.

Workplace Safety Minister Ingrid Stitt. Picture NCA NewsWire/Ian Currie

Questions remain unanswered over scuppered negotiations to establish a rural telehandler course in Victoria, despite regulations over on-farm licencing.

Last month, The Weekly Times revealed WorkSafe officials walked away from three years of negotiations to develop a practical, low-cost rural telehandler course.

The Victorian Farmers Federation claimed there had been a flood of telehandlers onto farms in recent years, given their versatility in moving a range of fodder and use of attachments.

After three years of negotiations, there’s still no sign of a low-cost telehandler course being approved any time soon.

Unlike every other state Victoria’s WorkSafe authority demands anyone using a telehandler weighing more than three tonnes obtains both dogger and crane licences or risk prosecution.

In a recent upper house session, opposition MP Melina Bath asked Workplace Safety Minister Ingrid Stitt how much was spent on taxpayer-funded consultants during the telehandler course negotiations.

Ms Bath also sought an assurance from the Minister that farmers would not be prosecuted by WorkSafe inspectors for the use of telehandlers, given they could not access the mandated training.

Ms Stitt's office was contacted by The Weekly Times but the questions were referred to WorkSafe

The Minister told State Parliament that WorkSafe was “looking at several options to address the licensing requirements and training available for telehandlers” and would consult with sector representatives.