The modest penalty has led to demands for the re-education of Judges. But as Luisa Saccotelli reports, the Judge at the centre of the outcry says that the young workers were let down by the entire workplace safety system, which is now largely self-regulated. I am absolutely dead set disgusted. He was killed when a 5.5 tonne concrete slab resting unsecured against the side of the shed toppled onto him, seriously injuring another teenage workmate. Companies have to know that they can't get away with this.
Workers have to know that they are safe.
Allowing judgements like this is just an absolute joke - an absolute joke. Jan Carrick was also upset that apart from the company, the two individuals brought to book were also dealt fines a fraction of the legislated maximums. Both admitted in court they had no trade qualifications. The General Manager was a book-binder by trade. The penalties, in the face of the company's negligence, has also antagonised the Victorian safety authority, Workcover.