Labor leader Bryan Green today accused the Liberal Government of compromising the safety of Tasmanian workers after cutting the number of workplace inspectors and refusing to rule out axing more jobs.
“Sadly, 11 Tasmanians died as a result of workplace accidents last year representing a quarter of all the deaths at work around Australia,” Mr Green said.
“At the same time the Government got rid of 11 WorkSafe Tasmania inspectors to meet its cost cutting targets.
“These are frontline jobs that the Liberals promised never to cut.
“The Government has a responsibility to ensure all Tasmanians are safe at work and workplace inspectors play a crucial role.
“For Peter Gutwein to focus on a reduction in workers’ compensation claims to defend cutting the number of inspectors is deliberately misleading.
“Mr Gutwein needs to understand there is a difference between workers’ compensation and workers’ safety.
“There is no substitute for having inspectors on the ground in workplaces, not only to make sure employers are doing the right thing, but to educate employees to ensure their safety.
“Mr Gutwein needs to put the safety of workers first and rule out any further cuts to the number of inspectors.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader
