A paltry $150,000 fine handed out to international construction giant Multiplex over the death of Herman Holtz in 2016 is manifestly inadequate and an insult to workers and the families of people killed at work.
“A worker’s life is worth so much more than this miniscule fine handed out by the court,” said Zachary Smith, CFMEU ACT Assistant Branch Secretary.
“It is shameful that a worker can be killed on the job and the company with ultimate responsibility for safety on the site can walk away with such an insignificant fine.”
“Multiplex failed in their obligation to maintain a safe site and Herman Holtz lost his life and his family has been robbed of their loved one.”
“There is something deeply wrong in our legal system when union officials and workers in the construction industry can be hit with bigger fines for fighting for safety than a company receives when a worker is killed.”
“The company could have faced a fine of up to $1.5 million, but instead this international conglomerate will walk away after paying what is effectively pocket change for them.”
“This outcome reinforces the need in Australia for nationally consistent industrial manslaughter laws that properly hold companies responsible for the deaths of workers to account.”
“Construction workers deserve to have their lives valued and respected by the courts and by the laws they administer.”
