Tasmania is now the only state without laws relating to industrial manslaughter

Labor will soon test its ability to pass legislation through the minority-governed House of Assembly with a bill many have been calling for for a long time. What they want to change.

Tasmania does not have industrial manslaughter laws which are meant to protect workers.

Labor will test its ability to progress legislation through the new House of Assembly with an industrial manslaughter Bill.

Tasmania is now the only state without industrial manslaughter laws, which have long been called for by unions who argue the laws are needed to improve worker safety.

Opposition leader Dean Winter said Labor would step up and introduce industrial manslaughter as the Liberals had not done so.

“Labor stands for well-paid, safe and secure jobs, and these can’t exist if workers aren’t protected on the job,” Mr Winter said.

“We will work closely with the union movement to ensure the legislation does what it’s intended and helps keep workers safe.”

With the Liberals governing in minority in the new 35-seat House of Assembly, the Opposition and crossbench have a greater chance of success with their own legislation.

Labor’s Bill could pass with or without support from the state government if it gained the support of enough of the crossbench which features Greens, the Jacqui Lambie Network and independents.

“There is no justification for not backing these laws to encourage all employers to provide safe workplaces and hold to account those who do not,” Mr Winter said.

“It’s beyond time Tasmania came into line with the rest of the nation and introduced these laws.”

Unions Tasmania last year launched a petition calling for industrial manslaughter laws, arguing Tasmanian workers deserved the same protections as mainland workers.

Also last year, a majority of Work Health and Safety Ministers agreed to insert industrial manslaughter laws into the national Model WHS Act.

A communique after the meeting said the model penalty for a body corporate would be $18m and 20 years’ imprisonment for an individual.

The Liberals have previously pointed out the manslaughter offence provided for in the Criminal Code Act 1924 can be used in cases of work fatalities.