Workplace manslaughter: New Victorian laws passed despite farmer concerns

New workplace manslaughter laws have passed Victorian Parliament, despite employer groups including the Victorian Farmers Federation raising concerns.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Workplace Safety Minister Jill Hennessy see new workplace laws as a government achievement. Picture: AAP

VICTORIA’S peak farmers group says new workplace manslaughter laws will result in “peverse safety outcomes.”

The new laws mean employers who cause a workplace death will face fines of up to $16.5 million and individuals will face up to 20 years in jail.

Victorian Farmers Federation vice president Emma Germano said it was disappointing the government ignored calls for amendments to the bill by several employee organisations.

“Workplace safety is a priority for every farming business; however the legislation that has passed through the parliament may lead to perverse safety outcomes,” she said.

Ms Germano dismissed government assurances that the Department of Public Prosecutions has prosecutorial discretion over workplace manslaughter case.

“This offered little confidence to agricultural community who remain fearful of being subjected to a long, expensive and emotional legal process when a family are mourning the tragic loss of a loved one,” she said.

Workplace Safety Minister Jill Hennessy said the new legislation showed the government was “standing up for working people.”

“We promised we’d make workplace manslaughter a criminal offence and that’s exactly what we’ve done – because there is nothing more important than every worker coming home safe every day,” Ms Hennessy said.

“I can’t begin to imagine the pain felt by the families who have lost a loved one at work. I don’t want any families to suffer that type of trauma.”

Premier Daniel Andrews lauded the new workplace laws as one of several achievements notched up by his government, one year on from his November 2018 election victory.

The VFF was one of five signatories to a letter earlier this month, calling for the Andrews Government to alter the proposed laws, which could result in the spouse of a deceased farmer being jailed for an on-farm death.