A mother whose son died in a jumping castle tragedy in Tasmania two years ago has joined calls for harsher penalties for workplace deaths in the state. Tasmania is the only jurisdiction in Australia that doesn't have industrial manslaughter laws - or a timeframe to introduce them.
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00:00 It's been two years since Georgie Burt's son Zane was killed in a tragedy that horrified
00:07 the nation. Zane Mellor was one of six children who died after a jumping castle became airborne
00:13 during an end of school event in Devonport.
00:19 How do I do it? I don't know. I actually, I do not know how I live each day, but I do
00:26 somehow and my children give me strength, my husband gives me strength and Zane gives
00:31 me strength.
00:33 Taz Zorb, the operator of the jumping castle, was charged in November with health and safety
00:38 breaches that exposed the children to a risk of death or serious injury. The maximum penalties
00:44 are a $1.5 million fine for a corporation and $150,000 fine for an individual.
00:50 I was extremely disappointed that these were the maximum penalties in Tasmania. I personally
00:59 feel they are not enough.
01:01 While we can't talk about this case because it's before the courts, there are questions
01:05 about whether Tasmania needs stronger workplace laws to protect staff and others who engage
01:11 with the business.
01:13 Back in February, the federal, state and territory governments agreed to amend the model work
01:17 health and safety laws to introduce the crime of industrial manslaughter, where the action
01:22 or inaction of an employer results in the death of an employee. The model penalties
01:27 are $18 million for a corporation and 20 years jail for an individual.
01:32 South Australia is the latest state to fall in line passing its laws at the end of November,
01:38 while the New South Wales government says it will introduce a bill to parliament within
01:42 the next six months. Commonwealth laws are set to be in effect by July.
01:47 Tasmania's workplace safety minister says she's seeking advice.
01:51 In relation to hearing from people about what they think we ought to be looking at.
01:57 There's the model law, it's set out for you, you don't even have to think too hard about
02:02 it. You've got that there and we should have it now.
02:06 Georgie Burt hopes the Tasmanian government moves quickly.
02:10 It is being torturous and I really, really hope there is change.
02:17 I'm going to.
02:19 [BLANK_AUDIO]