SA Greens seek industrial manslaughter laws after worker dies at Port Augusta solar plant

INDUSTRIAL manslaughter laws that will put negligent employers behind bars and fine companies up to $10 million should be introduced in SA to prevent workplace fatalities, the Greens say.

Industrial manslaughter laws that will put negligent employers behind bars and fine companies up to $10 million should be introduced in SA to prevent workplace fatalities, the Greens say.

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INDUSTRIAL manslaughter laws that will put negligent employers behind bars and fine companies up to $10 million should be introduced in SA to prevent workplace fatalities, the Greens say.

Greens MLC Tammy Franks is calling on the Labor, Liberal and SA Best parties to commit to introducing industrial manslaughter laws after the March 17 state election.

It comes after a worker died while working at a construction site near Port Augusta on Saturday.

The 49-year-old man, from Rockingham, WA, was fatally crushed by equipment at the Bungala solar farm, where 860,000 solar panels were being installed.

Union representatives had raised safety concerns with the construction site less than two weeks before the worker’s death.

Greens MLC Tammy Franks

“This tragedy is a terrible reminder that the current workplace safety laws in South Australia just aren’t up to scratch,” Ms Franks said.

“This death was completely avoidable.

“We know the union warned just weeks before this accident that someone could die, and yet nothing was done about it.

“The only was to ensure workplaces take proper action to prevent this kind of tragedy is to have robust laws that criminalise such employer negligence, including substantial deterrence measures.”

Ms Franks said the Queensland government last year announced legislative protections to deter negligent employers by introducing penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment for individuals and $10 million fines for corporate offenders.

“South Australians deserve the same sort of protections,” she said.

“I call on all parties contesting the upcoming election to commit to the same kind of laws here in South Australia, to put an end to this kind of workplace tragedy.”

The Labor Party last month committed to manslaughter laws that are at least as strong as the Queensland laws.

Opposition deputy leader Vickie Chapman said the Liberal party did not support the introduction of industrial manslaughter laws.

“To criminalise negligent death is not the answer,” she said.

“We have SafeWork SA as an agency and we have occupational work health and safety laws.

“I think there are plenty of rules there — they need to start acting on them.”

Comment has been sought from SA Best leader Nick Xenophon.