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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 5 Hansard (9 May) . . Page.. 1508 ..

(15) In answer to Question on Notice 107, paragraph 7, the Minister cites that the General Manager of WorkCover attended two inspections - did any legal action follow from these inspections. If so, what are those actions.

Legal action followed one of these inspections. This action was taken under the Crimes Act by the Department of Public Prosecution. In that matter the manager of the premises was found guilty of assault of a female WorkCover Inspector. The person in question has since appealed the finding of guilty to the Supreme Court and the Full Bench of the Federal Court. Both appeals were dismissed.

(16) In answer to Question on Notice 107, paragraph 8, the Minister states that ACT WorkCover refers briefs to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), how many 'briefs' have been provided by WorkCover to the Director of Public Prosecutions against individuals and companies engaged in the ACT Fireworks industry.

A total of 25 briefs have been referred to the DPP for prosecution under the Dangerous Goods Act and the Dangerous Goods Regulations.

(17) Of those briefs, how many has the DPP progressed to the point of prosecution since 1 December 1999 to the present date.

Since 1 December 1999 the DPP has laid charged in relation to 18 briefs.

(18) How many briefs has the DPP declined to prosecute since 1 December 1999 to the present date.

The DPP advised WorkCover that it was not prepared to prosecute on 6 of the briefs submitted.

(19) In answer to Question on Notice 107, paragraph 10, the Minister states that no figures in relation to charges and prosecutions have been compiled. The 2000-2001 Annual Report of the Office of the Occupational Health and Safety Commissioner states the cost is $0.075m due to increased legal costs, therefore what were the actual costs in the financial year 2000-2001.

In the financial year 2000-2001 WorkCover incurred legal costs of $101,000.00 for Occupational Health and Safety, Dangerous Goods, Workers' Compensation and Labour Regulations matters.

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