SafeWork NSW v Edstein Creative Pty Ltd [2024] NSWDC 178

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: SafeWork NSW v Edstein Creative Pty Ltd [2024] NSWDC 178 Hearing dates: 1 May 2024 Date of orders: 17 May 2024 Decision date: 17 May 2024 Jurisdiction: Criminal Before: Strathdee DCJ Decision: (1) The defendant is convicted. (2) The appropriate fine for the offence is $500,000.00 and that will be reduced by 25% to reflect the plea of guilty. (3) Accordingly, I order the defendant to pay a fine of $375,000.00. (4) Pursuant to s 122(2) of the Fines Act 1996 (NSW), 50% of the fine imposed is to be paid to the prosecutor. (5) I reserve the question of costs and direct the parties to contact my Associate within seven days if agreement between the parties as to costs cannot be reached. (5a) The defendant is to pay the prosecutor's costs, as agreed or assessed. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – prosecution – work health and safety – duty of persons undertaking business – risk of death or serious injury – maximum penalty SENTENCE – objective seriousness – mitigating factors – aggravating factors – plea of guilty – appropriate discount for the utility of the plea – general deterrence – specific deterrence – remorse and contrition – maximum penalties COSTS – prosecutor's costs 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 2011 (NSW) Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 (NSW) Workers Compensation (Dust Diseases) Act 1942 (NSW) Cases Cited: Bulga Underground Operations v Nash (2016) 93 NSWLR 338 Capral Aluminium Ltd v WorkCover Authority (NSW) (2000) 49 NSWLR 610 Environmental Protection Authority v Barnes [2006] NSWCCA 246 Fisher v Samaras Industries Pty Ltd (1996) 82 IR 384 Haynes v CI & D Manufacturing (No 2), Callaghan v CI & D Industries Pty Limited (No 2) (1995) 60 IR 455 Latoudis v Casey (1990) 170 CLR 534 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 Muldrock v The Queen (2011) 244 CLR 120 Nash v Silver City Drilling (NSW) Pty Ltd [2017] NSWCCA 96 Orbit Drilling v The Queen (2012) 35 VR 399 Page v Walco Hoist Rentals Pty Ltd (No 2) [2000] NSWIRComm 39 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 Thompson (1975) 11 SASR 217 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 WorkCover Authority (NSW) v Profab Industries Pty Ltd (2000) 49 NSWLR 700 WorkCover Authority (NSW) v Sarjame Storage Pty Ltd [2015] NSWDC 151 Category: Sentence Parties: SafeWork NSW (Prosecutor) Edstein Creative Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr C Magee (for the Prosecutor) Mr P Barry (for the Defendant)