Released 05/08/2021
Today the ACT Legislative Assembly passed legislation to establish industrial manslaughter as an offence under ACT work health and safety laws.
Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Mick Gentleman said the new offence will provide a strong deterrent against unsafe work practices.
“Every workplace fatality is a preventable tragedy that devastates families, friends, co-workers and the wider community,” Minister Gentleman said.
“Everyone has the right to return home safely and employers have an important role to play in this. Workplace safety is a right that must be protected at all costs.”
“The new offence carries an imprisonment penalty of up to 20 years for individuals and $16,500,000 for corporations who cause the death of a worker through the continued disregard of safe work practices and breaches of work safety obligations. These penalties reflect the extreme serious of the offence.
“These laws will provide more avenues to address poor workplace safety practices and systemic non-compliance.
“We are delivering on the Government’s commitment to strengthen workplace safety across the ACT and standing up for the rights of workers.”
Industrial manslaughter offence provisions will be transferred from the Crimes Act 1900 into the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
- Statement ends -
Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases