A Griffith woman’s calls for a senate inquiry into construction deaths is gathering steam with the federal opposition getting on board.
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After charges over the workplace death of her son were dropped, Kay Catanzariti warned it would happen again if something didn’t change.
Within weeks of her fateful prediction, a Sydney man was killed in similar circumstances to Mrs Catanzariti’s son.
Last week, NewsCorp reported a 17-year-old apprentice died after a timber frame fell on him at an Adelaide construction site.
Earlier this year, Mrs Catanzariti met with Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce and Shadow Employment Minister Brendan O’Connor to push for a senate inquiry into deaths on industrial sites around Australia.
“Barnaby Joyce and Brendan O’Connor promised an inquiry, we need to get the ball rolling and get the law changed,” Mrs Catanzariti said.
“Why wait for yet another death?”
Brendan O’Connor, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, said in a statement he would work with the senate to establish an inquiry into workplace health and safety with a particular reference to the construction industry.
“Labor has held a consistent position in making workplace health and safety a priority, unlike the government which is doing anything it can to strip workers’ of their rights,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Labor is concerned the government’s attempts to reintroduce the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) will increase workplace deaths and injuries.
“According to Safe Work Australia, instances of fatalities and injuries in the construction industry actually rose under the ABCC.”
Barnaby Joyce’s office was contacted for comment but were unable to respond at the time of printing.
Mrs Catanzariti said she was thankful the ABCC bill didn’t pass, but she wondered when the government would listen to families affected by workplace deaths.
“I’m just a mum from the country, what would I know?” she asked.
“Well, I’ve walked this journey, I’m not dumb, I’ve got common sense and initiative and someone’s got to speak out about this.
“It’s common sense to change the law so that the authorities have as much power as the defence in workplace death matters.
“Dead men don’t have a voice.”
Stephen Mudd
Stephen Mudd is a journalist for Fairfax Media west of the great divide. He loves music, dogs and travel.
Stephen Mudd is a journalist for Fairfax Media west of the great divide. He loves music, dogs and travel.
