WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Howard) v Ronald Joseph Bezzina and Peter Butterfield [2001] NSWIRComm 328

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales in Court Session

CITATION : WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Howard) v Ronald Joseph Bezzina and Peter Butterfield [2001] NSWIRComm 328 PROSECUTOR WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Howard) PARTIES : DEFENDANTS Ronald Joseph Bezzina Peter Butterfield FILE NUMBER: 5981 - 5984 of 1999 CORAM: Peterson J CATCHWORDS : Occupational Health & Safety - prosecutions under ss16(2) and 17(1)(a) - issues of penalty and costs - worker suffered serious injuries - fall - considerations of co-operation - principle of totality - no prior convictions - proportionality - consistency of sentencing - defendant convicted - penalty imposed - each party to pay its own costs. LEGISLATION CITED : Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Howard) v General Beton Pty Ltd [2001] NSWIRComm 80 Latoudis v Casey (1991) 170 CLR 534 CASES CITED : Yanner v Eaton (1999) 168 ALR 1 Rozniak v Government Insurance Office (1997) 41 NSWLR 608

HEARING DATES: 08/24/2001 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 12/13/2001

PROSECUTOR Mr P Skinner of Counsel

SOLICITOR Moray & Agnew SYDNEY LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES: DEFENDANT Mr R Reitano of Counsel

SOLICITOR Deacons Lawyers SYDNEY