Inspector Vierow v Rail Infrastructure Corporation [2002] NSWIRComm 80

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales in Court Session

CITATION : Inspector Vierow v Rail Infrastructure Corporation [2002] NSWIRComm 80 PARTIES : Inspector Maurice Vierow v Rail Infrastructure Corporation. Prosecution under s15(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 FILE NUMBER: IRC 3458 of 2000 CORAM: Haylen J CATCHWORDS : Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 - s 15(1) - plea of guilty after set down for trial - relevant factors to be considered in deciding whether or not an "early plea" - relevance of statutory reorganisation and removal of a chief executive officer as equating with a penalty already imposed on defendant - prior convictions - discount allowed - conviction recorded - penalty imposed with moiety to prosecuting authority LEGISLATION CITED : Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 s 15(1) Transport and Administration Act 1988 Cameron v The Queen (2002) HCA 6, 14 February 2002. Capral Aluminium Limited v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Mayo-Ramsay)(2000) 99 AR 29 at 48 Department of Mineral Resources (Chief Inspector McKensey) v Berrima Coal Pty Ltd (2001) 105 IR 348 Fisher v Samaras Industries Pty Ltd (1996) 82 IR 384 at 388. Fletcher Constructions Australia Limited v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Fisher) (1999) 91 IR 66 at 77-81 Inspector Barnard v Rail Infrastructure Corporation [2001] NSWIRComm 255 at paras 26-28 Inspector Belley v Rail Infrastructure Corporation [2001] NSWIRComm 323 Inspector Viewrow v Rail Services Australia [2001] NSWIRComm 153 Lawrenson Diecasting v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ch'ng) (1999) 90 IR 464 at 474 CASES CITED : R v Thomson R v Houlton (2000) 115 A Crim R 104 at 138 R v Winchester (1992) 58 A Crim R 345 at 350). Siganto v The Queen (1998) 194 CLR 656 (at 663 - 664) Tyler v Sydney Electricity (1993) 47 IR 1 at 5, WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ankucic) v McDonald's Australia Ltd and anor (2000) 95 IR 383 at 450. WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Dawson) v Waugh & Thora Sawmilling Pty Ltd (1995) 59 IR 89 at 100. WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Farrell) v MIM Tansport Pty Ltd [2002] NSWIRComm 58, [124] - [128]. WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Gilbert) v Energy Australia - formerly Sydney Electricity) (1998) 85 IR 99. WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Page) v Walco Hoists Rentals Pty Ltd and anor (No 2) (2000) 99 IR 163 at 185 - 187 WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Sheppard) v State Rail Authority of New South Wales (2000) NSWIRComm 179 at para 40. HEARING DATES: 03/15/2002 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 04/23/2002