SafeWork NSW v State of New South Wales (Department of Communities and Justice, Corrective Services NSW) [2024] NSWDC 606

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: SafeWork NSW v State of New South Wales (Department of Communities and Justice, Corrective Services NSW) [2024] NSWDC 606 Hearing dates: 20 November 2024 Date of orders: 20 December 2024 Decision date: 20 December 2024 Jurisdiction: Criminal Before: Strathdee DCJ Decision: (1) The defendant is convicted. (2) The appropriate fine for the offence is $800,000 and that will be reduced by 25% to reflect the plea of guilty. (3) Accordingly, I order the defendant to pay a fine of $600,000. (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) The defendant is to pay the prosecutors 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 VULNERABILITY- corrections officers attacked by prison inmates COSTS – prosecutor's costs Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), ss 3A, 21A, 22 Fines Act 1996 (NSW), s 122 Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW), ss 3, 19, 31, 32, 245(1) Cases Cited: Bulga Underground Operations Pty Ltd v Nash (2016) 93 NSWLR 338; [2016] NSWCCA 37 Capral Aluminium Ltd v WorkCover Authority (NSW) (2000) 49 NSWLR 610; [2000] NSWIRComm 71 Fisher v Samaras Industries Pty Ltd (1996) 82 IR 384 Haynes v CI & D Manufacturing Pty Limited (No 2); Callaghan v CI & D Industries Pty Limited (No 2) (1995) 60 IR 455 Latoudis v Casey [1990] HCA 59; (1990) 170 CLR 534 Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority (NSW) (1999) 90 IR 464 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357; [2005] HCA 25 Morrison v Powercoal Pty Ltd (No 3) (2005) 147 IR 117; [2005] NSWIRComm 61 Muldrock v The Queen (2011) 244 CLR 120; [2011] HCA 39 Nash v Silver City Drilling (NSW) Pty Ltd; Attorney General for New South Wales v Silver City Drilling (NSW) Pty Ltd [2017] NSWCCA 96 Orbit Drilling Pty Ltd v The Queen (2012) 35 VR 399; [2012] VSCA 82 R v Cage [2006] NSWCCA 304 R v MA (2004) 145 A Crim R 434; [2004] NSWCCA 92 R v Miria [2009] NSWCCA 68 R v MMK (2006) 164 A Crim R 481; [2006] NSWCCA 272 R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383; [2000] NSWCCA 309 R v Youkhana [2004] NSWCCA 412 SafeWork NSW v HCM Building Pty Ltd [2019] NSWDC 632 SafeWork NSW v Grandcity Constructions Pty Ltd; SafeWork NSW v Cai [2018] NSWDC 398 Veen v R (No 2) [1988] HCA 14; (1988) 164 CLR 465 WorkCover Authority of NSW v Sarjame Storage Pty Ltd [2015] NSWDC 151 WorkCover Authority (NSW) v Profab Industries Pty Ltd (2000) 49 NSWLR 700; [2000] NSWIRComm 142 Category: Sentence Parties: SafeWork NSW (Prosecutor) State of New South Wales (Department of Communities and Justice, Corrective Services NSW) (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: P English (Prosecutor) E Aitken (Defendant)