Legislation addressing industrial manslaughter approved by Tasmanian parliament

Tasmania recently became the final Australian state to approve industrial manslaughter legislation, with the Opposition successfully pushing for its introduction in the state parliament.

The bill, approved by the Upper House last week, permits charging both companies and individuals for negligence or failure to fulfil their duties if it results in a workplace fatality.

The legislation enforces a maximum incarceration period of 21 years, along with potential fines of up to $18 million for corporations convicted in cases of workplace deaths.

Unions Tasmania secretary Jessica Munday said the passage of the laws brought her a sense of "relief," following a lengthy campaign advocating for their approval.

"[It] actually says to the community that when manslaughter occurs in a workplace, it's just as serious as if it happens anywhere else in the state," she said.

"The people I think of most are the people who've lost loved ones at work, who've stood beside and campaigned for years for these reforms. It finally feels like a little bit of justice," she said.

For comprehensive information, please visit the ABC News website.