News

Department sentenced $200,000 for Rutherford

July 11, 2007

Last week the Industrial Relations Commission handed down it’s sentence for the Department’s breach of section 15 (1) and 16(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983. The Department was sentenced two fines of $100,000 each and has been ordered to pay the Prosecutors costs.

In making his decision, Justice Boland acknowledged that the Department had taken ‘timely, comprehensive and appropriate’ steps to meet its occupational health and safety obligations, however could not excuse the seriousness of the offences and the ‘overall criminality involved’.

For an outline of the Rutherford matter members should see the Union’s notice dated 22 November 2006 or for the full decision visit www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au.

Simon Flynn
State Secretary