The peak Victorian union has called an employer group's rejection of the proposed industrial manslaughter laws immoral.
The Victorian Trade Halls Council blasted the Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI)
comments that employers do not agree with the increased penalties proposed by the
Crimes (Workplace Deaths and Serious Injuries) Bill.
VECCI chief executive Neil Coulson says the reduction in workplace deaths and injuries in the past few years shows existing legislation focusing on prevention rather than punishment is working.
But VTHC secretary Leigh Hubbard says the comments have misled VECCI's members by failing to inform them of the full impact of the Bill's provisions.
"The VECCI rejection of this legislation will inadvertently protect grossly negligent employers in large organisations," Hubbard says.
"Smaller employers – who are also VECCI members – are already subject to existing manslaughter provisions in the
Crimes Act in some circumstances where an employer is killed at work.
"VECCI would better spend their members' money by advising them of the existing situation rather than stirring up a climate of fear.
"This legislation does not only apply to deaths in the workplace. It also potentially applies to gross negligence in any of the 3,500 serious workplaces injuries each year."
The Beattie government is looking at introducing similar legislation in Queensland.