NSW Government plans to implement industrial manslaughter laws

The NSW Government has announced plans to present a bill in parliament that aims to establish the crime of industrial manslaughter. The offence will carry severe consequences, with individuals facing a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment, while body corporates may be subject to fines of up to $20 million.

The government has stated that it extensively consulted various stakeholders within the community, such as ‘work health and safety experts, business groups, unions, legal stakeholders and families’ of those who have suffered fatal workplace incidents. This feedback has been carefully considered and integrated into the development of the new offence and penalties.

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said the bill will enhance safety conditions in the workplace.

“Every worker deserves to go home to their loved ones at the end of the day,” Ms Cotsis said

“No government should ever want to have to use these laws.”

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