Australian safety reps get new rights

Unions in Australia's Victoria State have welcomed a new law that strengthens safety reps' rights and imposes tough penalties on employers.

The Occupational Health and Safety Bill gives unions and workers more power to stop dangerous work, and gives union officials the right of entry into workplaces.

Anyone found guilty of the new offence of "exposing a person to risk of serious injury or death" can be jailed for up to five years, and the maximum limit for fines has been almost quadrupled.