NEWS
WORKPLACE MANSLAUGHTER LAWS NOW IN EFFECT IN VICTORIA Workplace manslaughter is now a criminal offence in Victoria, with laws introduced by the state government coming into effect. Employers found to be negligent will face fines of up to $16.5 million and individuals face up to 25 years in jail. So far this year 25 people across Victoria have lost their lives in workplace incidents. WorkSafe Victoria will investigate new offences of workplace manslaughter using the powers under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. The offence applies to employers, self-employed people and ‘officers’ of the employer. It also applies when an employer’s negligent conduct causes the death of a member of the public. State Government has also broadened the criteria that defines a workplace death. From now this includes fatalities that occur on the road while working, suicides attributable to a workplace health and safety failure, deaths from industrial diseases such as silicosis, and workplace deaths resulting from a criminal act. All of these will be recognised in the WorkSafe toll. Changes mean more Victorians will be entitled to WorkSafe family support
services following the death of a loved one at work and broader reporting is hoped to bring increased focus to workplace health and safety issues. To help small and medium sized businesses prepare, the State Government has rolled out a wide ranging education campaign. The laws are supported by a $10 million package to improve investigation and enforcement of workplace safety laws, including a specialist WorkSafe team to lead investigations and prosecutions, and two additional WorkSafe Victoria Family Liaison Officers to give families more support. A Workplace Incidents Consultative Committee will be established to develop further reforms to provide support to those affected by workplace fatalities and serious incidents. This will be supported with $4 million in funding and include people who have lost a family member at work or have suffered a serious workplace injury or illness. Minister for Workplace Safety Jill Hennessy said if an employer’s negligence costs someone their life, they will be prosecuted and may go to jail – that’s now the law. “We’re increasing the support available to
State Government has also broadened the criteria that defines a workplace death.
families who have lost someone at work, as well as establishing a new committee led by families who know the pain of such a tragic event, to drive further reforms,” she says. “Broadening the definition of a workplace fatality will help better identify and address the true extent of workplace health and safety issues in Victoria.”
$382M FOR READY-TO-GO JOBS IN NSW’S FIXING LOCAL ROADS PROGRAM
$382 million to be made avalible for ready-to-go projects.
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ROADS AUGUST 2020
The Federal Government has committed $191 million on top of the NSW Government‘s $500 million Fixing Local Roads program. Funding will see $382 million be made available for ready-togo projects able to start in the next 12 months. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack and NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole met in Yass, NSW to announce the package. Mr. McCormack said the Australian Government’s funding injection is about generating jobs, encouraging spending and stimulating local economies. “This is money for small projects which
make a big difference in people’s everyday lives right across regional NSW,” he said. Mr. Toole said the NSW Government was also accelerating its funding for the program to get more projects to seal, maintain and repair local roads under way faster. “It means communities right across the State will see work starting on the local roads in their area as soon as next month.” He said the first round of the program would see $250 million of funding for 258 projects in 83 Local Government Areas. Applications for round two of the program will open later this year. Projects are required to be delivered within two years of receiving funding. 3500 jobs are expected to be created.
