Labor stands for safe, secure, and well-paid jobs, and that means protecting workers on the job.

Labor is pleased and proud that Tasmania has joined the rest of the country in passing industrial manslaughter laws. These laws are a win for workers, and they are long overdue.

We have seen too many deaths in the workplace over the last 20 years – the laws passed yesterday will start to change that.

Tasmania has become the last state or territory to pass industrial manslaughter protections for workers, and Labor would like to pay tribute to the fierce advocates who have been fighting for these changes for decades.

The laws will increase protections for Tasmanian workers while they are on the job, helping to make sure that every Tasmanian worker can come home after a day’s work. It also sends a clear message that workplace safety is a critically important issue, and appropriate safety protocols must be implemented and followed to prevent any deaths in the workplace.

Tasmanian Labor has consulted widely with the union movement and throughout the business community in developing these laws, we would like to thank and acknowledge stakeholders for their contributions which have informed our reforms.

It is disappointing that the Liberals continued their opposition to the laws, they have again demonstrated their contempt for working people.

We look forward to the new laws being enacted so they can begin to protect workers.

Dean Winter MP
Labor Leader
Shadow Minister for Jobs, Workplace Relations & Safety

Sarah Lovell MLC
Leader of Opposition Business in the Legislative Council