NSW: Mine owners, operators guilty of safety breach = 2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-09-2004
NSW: Mine owners, operators guilty of safety breach = 2

CFMEU mining and energy division general president Tony Maher said the judgment would
be a relief for the miners' families.

"(It's) a great relief for the families of the four miners who have had to endure a
protracted seven-and-a-half year ordeal in their search for justice," he said.

"It is the first time in the 200-year history of the NSW coal industry that anyone
has been convicted for the loss of life despite more than 3,000 miners being killed in
the state's coal mines, some in the biggest disasters in the history of mining."

Hearings into the safety breaches were held in the IRC last year.

The NSW state government was forced to introduce special legislation late last year
to ensure the prosecutions continued.

The companies had wanted the safety breaches thrown out on a technicality after the
wrong minister signed the authorisation for the case.

Mr Maher said today's judgment, of more than 600 pages, came at an important time as
unions fought for industrial manslaughter laws to be introduced.

He said the convictions should serve as a warning to all mining companies and individuals
responsible for health and safety in the coal industry that they would now be held to
account.

"For far too long companies and management have literally gotten away with murder.

"Today's convictions show that will no longer be the case.

"Companies and management will be held to account for the health and safety of their
employees and our union will continue to vigorously pursue those who endanger workers
lives."

Sentences against the companies and individuals will be handed down at a later date.

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KEYWORD: GRETLEY 2 SYDNEY (REOPENS)

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