Issue Date:  -  Friday, 7 November 1997

Prosecution policy

Labour Relations Minister Graham Kierath has asked Crown Counsel to provide further help to up-date WorkSafe's prosecution policy.

The move comes after Mr Kierath sought independent advice from Crown Counsel following concerns raised by the farming industry over recent prosecutions.

"Crown Counsel has reviewed WorkSafe's prosecution policy after I requested urgent advice on Wednesday as to whether there could be improvements made to its policy," Mr Kierath said.

"The advice I have back is the policy does not recognise the relevance of the public interest when deciding to prosecute or not.

"It also found that the decision to continue a prosecution was at least as important as the decision to change.

"I have asked Crown Counsel to help develop a more current prosecution policy for WorkSafe as soon as possible.

"Other Government agencies, which have the power to prosecute, have a clause in their prosecution policy that takes into account the relevance of the public interest when deciding whether or not to prosecute.

"I am confident that WorkSafe will cooperate by implementing the necessary improvements to ensure that we have the best possible prosecution policy for WorkSafe."