|
Issue No. 324 | 15 September 2006 |
Democracy Rules
Interview: Australia�s Most Wanted Industrial: The Fox and the Contractor Unions: Industrial Wasteland International: Two Bob's Worth Economics: National Interest Environment: The Real Dinosaur History: Only In Spain? Review: Clerk Off
Broken Down and Packaged for Export Child's Play: New Low for Spooks Buy Gum and Masticate on "Associates"
Legends The Soapbox Obituary Fiction
Labor Council of NSW |
News Judge Lashes Building Laws
Justice Tony North lashed sections of Howard's Building Industry legislation while tossing out another batch of prosecutions served up by the Prime Minister's controversial Building Industry Commission.
He dismissed charges against two CFMEU officials and builder B&P Caelli, arising from the 2003 death of a Shepparton building worker. The Building Industry Commission launched its prosecutions in response to long-standing Victorian building industry policy that sees colleagues stop work to raise funds for bereaved families, and carry out safety inspections, following workplace deaths. The Commission labelled the response to the 2003 death an illegal strike. It charged B&P Caelli with paying strike pay, and the unionists with demanding it. "If penalties are imposed on employers who pay workers for stoppages which reasonable people would see as understandable and justified ... the law itself will be seen to be out of step with reasonable community expectations," Justice North said. CFMEU legal officer, Jesse Madisson, hailed North's decision as a victory for decency. "The judge said what any decent human being would say in these circumstances," Madisson said. "That where there is a death in an industry, other people would show their concern. "Basically, he said fines in that situation would bring the law into disrepute. "It is a strange view of justice, to spend taxpayers' money on QCs to chase convictions against people who raise money for widows and kids."
|
Search All Issues | Latest Issue | Previous Issues | Print Latest Issue |
© 1999-2002 Workers Online |
|