Tasmanian workers deserve to be safe at work, Independent MP David O’Byrne says as he prepares to introduce industrial manslaughter laws to the Tasmanian state parliament.
A consultation draft of the ‘Work Health and Safety Amendment (Industrial Manslaughter) Bill 2024’ proposes a maximum penalty of 21 years imprisonment for an individual or a maximum fine of $18 million for a body corporate found guilty of the offence.
“This is an issue close to my heart and something I have been working on for a long time,” O’Byrne said.
“Employers need to be put on notice that negligent conduct endangering the lives of workers is completely unacceptable and it must end.”
O’Byrne argues that current work health and safety laws are “manifestly inadequate” for such “incredibly serious offences”, as they “do not … carry the penalties that the community would expect”.
“Tasmania is the only jurisdiction that does not have an industrial manslaughter offence, apart from New South Wales which is currently in the process of introducing it,” he said.
“This bill will bring Tasmania in line with the rest of the country and send a strong message that workers deserve to come home from their workplace alive.”
Both Labor and the government have expressed interest in passing industrial manslaughter laws to address tragic workplace fatalities.
“Whilst I believe the bill will satisfy all parties, I will be open to further consultation on this bill with unions, the business community and other stakeholders over the course of the coming weeks,” O’Byrne said.
“I look forward to introducing this bill into the Parliament this week.”
