SafeWork NSW v Akkari Group Pty Ltd [2022] NSWDC 197

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: SafeWork NSW v Akkari Group Pty Ltd [2022] NSWDC 197 Hearing dates: 22 April 2022 Date of orders: 7 June 2022 Decision date: 07 June 2022 Jurisdiction: Criminal Before: Strathdee, DCJ Decision: (1) The defendant is convicted. (2) The appropriate fine for the s 38 offence (Matter No. 2021/117708) is $50,000, and that will be reduced by 25% for the utilitarian value of the plea. (3) The defendant is therefore fined $37,500. (4) The appropriate fine for the s 19(1) offence (Matter No. 2021/117757) is $375,000 and that will be reduced by 25% for the utilitarian value of the plea. (5) The defendant is therefore fined $281,250. (6) The appropriate fine for the s 26(2) offence (Matter No. 2021/117812) is $375,000 and that will be reduced by 25% for the utilitarian value of the plea. (7) The defendant is therefore fined $281,250. (8) 50% of the fines imposed are to be paid to the prosecutor pursuant to s 133(2) of the Fines Act 1996 (NSW). (9) The defendant is to pay the prosecutor's costs as agreed or assessed pursuant to s 257B of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW). Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – prosecution – work health and safety – duty of persons undertaking business – risk of death or serious injury SENTENCE – objective seriousness – mitigating factors – aggravating factors – plea of guilty – general deterrence – specific deterrence – previous convictions - appropriate sentence – Fines Act 1996 (NSW) OTHER – s 19(1) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW) Fines Act 1996 (NSW) Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 Cases Cited: Bulga Underground Operations v Nash (2016) 93 NSWLR 338 Capral Aluminium Ltd v WorkCover Authority (NSW) (2000) 49 NSWLR 610 Director of Public Prosecutions v Dalgleish [2017] HCA 41 Environmental Protection Authority v Barnes [2006] NSWCCA 246 Fisher v Samaras Industries Pty Ltd (1996) 82 IR 384 Hay v The Queen [2009] NSWCCA 228 Johnson v The Queen [2004] HCA 15 Kirk v Industrial Court (NSW) (2010) 239 CLR 531 Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority (NSW) (1999) 90 IR 464 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357 Morrison v Powercoal Pty Ltd (No. 3) (2005) 147 IR 117 Nash v Silver City Drilling (NSW) Pty Ltd [2017] NSWCCA 96 Orbit Drilling v The Queen (2012) 35 VR 399 Postiglione v The Queen [1997] HCA 26 Postiglione v The Queen (1997) 189 CLR 295 R v Cage [2006] NSWCCA 304 R v MA [2004] NSWCCA 92 R v Miria [2009] NSWCCA 68 R v MMK [2006] NSWCCA 272 R v Thomson & Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 R v Youkhana [2004] NSWCCA 412 SafeWork NSW v Grandcity Constructions Pty Ltd [2018] NSWDC 398 SafeWork NSW v HCM Building Pty Ltd [2019] NSWDC 632 SafeWork NSW v Poletti Corporation [2019] NSWDC 491 Veen v R (No. 2) (1988) 164 CLR 465 WorkCover Authority (NSW) v Profab Industries Pty Ltd (2000) 49 NSWLR 700 WorkCover Authority (NSW) v Sarjame Storage Pty Ltd [2015] NSWDC 151 Texts Cited: Australian Standard AS3610.1:2018 – Formwork for concrete, Part 1: Specifications (16 April 2018) WorkCover Code of Practice: Formwork (1998) Category: Sentence Parties: SafeWork New South Wales (Prosecutor) Akkari Group Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr M Scott (for the Prosecutor) Mr M Shume (for the Defendant)