Another "murderous" employer

The death of a 16-year-old at a meatworks involved in 
Tasmania's longest industrial dispute has led to revelations that 
Industrial manslaughter laws already exist in the state. Matthew 
Hudson, who was not being paid for his work, was killed when a 
forklift he was driving collapsed on him at Blue Ribbon 
Meats.

Officials from the Australiasian Meat Industry Employees' Union 
(AMIEU) investigating the death discovered the existence of laws 
in Tasmania's criminal code, dating back to the '20s, that make a 
crime of unlawful killing in the workplace.

"We're the only state to have industrial manslaughter 
legislation", the union's State Secretary, Grant Courtney, said.

"We want this tragedy thoroughly investigated. It's a disgrace."

Matthew, who was not supposed to be working on the site, was 
unlicensed for either a motor vehicle or a forklift. His family 
claims he came home filthy and dirty every day; it is further 
alleged the 16-year-old took instructions from Blue Ribbon Meats 
employees.

The union says the company has "washed their hands of the 
incident" by claiming he was the responsibility of a contractor.

The union understands Matthew was the son of a "mate" of the 
contractor.

"Some mate!" says Mr Courtney.

The contractor was working on a federally-funded job at Blue 
Ribbon Meats, who have locked out 20 workers since April, 2003. 
The workers are seeking award protection.

Mr Courtney contrasted federal funds being directed to a 
"murderous" Tasmanian employer, while being denied to unionised 
projects on the mainland.

Locked out Blue Ribbon workers have won their case in the 
Industrial Relations Commission and the Supreme Court. They are 
currently awaiting a decision on Blue Ribbon's appeal to the full 
bench of the Supreme Court.