WORKER DEATHS INCREASING UNDER MORRISON

More Australians are dying in the workplace under the Morrison Government, which has failed to implement the recommendations of its own review into workplace health and safety.

Safe Work Australia has today confirmed 183 Australians died as a result of workplace accidents in 2019, up 38 on 2018’s toll – and the first rise in deaths since the Howard Government was in office.

Workers’ compensation claims for serious injuries are also up across many industries.

So far this year, deaths on construction sites, and in food and accommodation services are up even further.

The Government has spent the last seven years trying to smash unions, the very organisations that try to keep workplaces safe.

What the Government should have been doing instead is responding to the Boland Review, which concluded two years ago and recommended the introduction of national industrial manslaughter provisions, increased penalties and other changes designed to keep workers safe.

Workplace safety was not on even on the agenda for the Government’s failed industrial relations “working group” process, which broke down because business groups couldn’t agree among themselves.

In the wake of that failure Scott Morrison should resist the temptation to return to the classic Liberal IR agenda of crushing unions, dismantling workers’ rights and making it easier for employers to cut wages and sack staff.

Instead he should stop dragging his feet and do something to stop this terrible workplace death toll. Every Australian worker should be able to go to work and come home to their loved ones safely.