Changes to WorkSafe ACT's Prosecution Model Recommended
16 March 2023
In March 2022, the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Commissioner, Jacqueline Agius, engaged Marie Boland to undertake a review of the current legislative, policy and operational framework used in the ACT to initiate, run and manage WHS prosecutions.
The Conduct of Work Health and Safety Prosecutions Review (the Review) was provided to WorkSafe ACT in June 2022 and the recommendations released on 10 July 2022, on the 10 year anniversary of the workplace fatality of Ben Catanzariti.
Today, Commissioner Agius is releasing the Review in full, and WorkSafe ACT’s response to its recommendations.
“It is time to make positive changes to how we conduct prosecutions for WHS breaches in the ACT. While we are starting to see sentencing that better reflects the significance of breaches, more should be done by me, by WorkSafe and by the ACT Government.”
The Review contains 12 recommendations, four of which fall wholly within the remit of WorkSafe ACT. WorkSafe ACT is committed to implementing these recommendations to ensure those who breach the laws are held to account.
“Injured workers, their families, their friends and the Canberra Community are right to expect prompt justice where a duty holder has been negligent. Ms Boland found prosecutions in the ACT can be improved and how this can be achieved. We will make this commitment. We will conduct our investigations and our prosecutions in a way that does not add to the harm already done.”
“But this is a shared responsibility and I look forward to the ACT Government’s response to the Review recommendations and how we can work together to protect the health and safety of all workers in all workplaces.”
Statement ends.
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