SOUTH Australia is likely to miss out on a $33 million "reward" payment it would have received as a result of passing new workplace safety laws, the Government has revealed.

The Upper House voted on Tuesday to block the controversial Work Health and Safety Bill which was aimed at harmonising national occupational health and safety legislation.

The Government had wanted the proposed legislation passed this week so it could come into effect from January 1, but the Bill will now be delayed until February next year.

Industry groups had warned the new laws would add up to $20,000 to the cost of a new house and would give unions more powers to enter worksites for health and safety reasons.

Industrial Relations Minister Russell Wortley and the unions have rubbished the claims.

Mr Wortley told The Advertiser that as a result of the delay, a $33 million incentive payment that would have returned to general revenue was now in jeopardy.

"The Inter-Governmental Agreement signed by the Council of Australian Governments lists national harmonisation of occupational health and safety laws as one of the top 10 priority reforms that states and territories must deliver in order to receive reward payments," he said.

"For South Australia, enacting the Work Health and Safety Bill by 1 January, 2012, was part of the agreement to receive $33 million in COAG payments."

"As this reform has not been delivered the Commonwealth must now consider whether the reward payment can be delivered to South Australia."

Opposition frontbencher Rob Lucas, who moved to delay the Bill, has accused the Government of ignoring the concerns from industry organisations.

SA Unions has campaigned strongly for the new laws, saying they are needed to prevent serious and fatal workplace injuries.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/safety-bill-may-cost-south-australia-33m/story-e6frea6u-1226211767084