SafeWork NSW v The Salvation Army (NSW) Property Trust [2024] NSWDC 608

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: SafeWork NSW v The Salvation Army (NSW) Property Trust [2024] NSWDC 608 Hearing dates: 28 November 2024 Date of orders: 20 December 2024 Decision date: 20 December 2024 Jurisdiction: Criminal Before: Strathdee DCJ Decision: (1) The Salvation Army (New South Wales) Property Trust is convicted. (2) The appropriate fine for the offence is $400,000 and that will be reduced by 25% to reflect the plea of guilty. (3) Accordingly, I order the defendant to pay a fine of $300,000. (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 agreed in the sum of $60,000 plus GST. 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 – COVID 19 Pandemic COSTS – prosecutor's costs Legislation Cited: Aged Care Act 1997 (NSW) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), ss 3A, 21A, 22 Fines Act 1996 (NSW), s122 The Salvation Army (New South Wales) Property Trust Act 1929 (NSW) Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW), ss 3, 19(2), 32 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 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 Texts Cited: Australian/New Zealand Standard ISO 10535:2011 Hoists for the Transfer of Disabled Persons – Requirements and Test Methods SafeWork NSW Managing the Risk of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice (August 2019) Category: Sentence Parties: SafeWork NSW (Prosecutor) The Salvation Army (New South Wales) Property Trust (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: T Hammond (Prosecutor) M Cahill (Defendant)