Govt defends workplace laws
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The minister stands by the Workplace Health and Safety Act. (ABC News: ABC News)
The Tasmanian Government says there should be no political interference in the legal operation of the Workplace Health and Safety Act.
The Minister for Workplace Relations, Lisa Singh, has responded to a call for legislative changes by Gunns director Robin Gray.
Mr Gray says Gunns' company directors should not have been charged in relation to a workplace accident at the company's Invermay site last year.
The charges were dismissed yesterday in the Launceston Magistrates Court on a legal technicality.
Mr Gray says it is a serious problem and called on the Premier and the Attorney General to change the act.
"The act as it is, is quite unrealistic and the fact that people could be charged, directors could be charged, dragged through the courts at enormous expense is just wrong," Mr Gray said.
"It's a sad thing in this state when directors of public companies get bailed up like they have been here over these sorts of actions.
"It will damage the reputation of this state, it will be very hard to do business here in the future if directors are going to have to face those sort of charges."
The company pleaded guilty to failing to maintain a plant in a safe condition and will be sentenced today.
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