Unions across Tasmania are advocating for the implementation of ‘industrial manslaughter’ laws to hold companies and managers accountable for workplace deaths caused by negligence.
At a rally in Hobart on Wednesday, the crowd heard that Tasmania is the only state without such laws.
Unions Tasmania secretary Jessica Munday said she believes fines and criminal sanctions are necessary to prevent further workplace fatalities.
In the decade to 2022, Tasmania has seen 85 workplace fatalities and 7,500 workers compensation claims.
“I don’t want to see that number continue to grow. We do not accept that deaths at work are inevitable. There is no such thing as a workplace accident,” Munday said.
“If this government is serious about making sure employers are doing the right thing and workers are truly safe, they will implement these laws.”
The proposed laws are similar to those in Queensland, with maximum fines of up to $10 million and jail terms of up to 20 years for individuals found guilty of negligence.
The state government is yet to comment on the matter.
