Ministerial Statement

MADELEY, MR D.

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for Gambling) (14:21): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN: On 5 June 2004, an 18-year-old first-year apprentice, Mr Daniel Madeley, was operating a horizontal boring machine when his dustcoat became entangled on the rotating spindle of the borer. Mr Madeley suffered extensive injuries as a result of this incident and died shortly thereafter.

Mr Madeley was employed by the Engineering Employers Association Group Training Scheme and had been placed with Diemould Tooling Services Pty Ltd at their Edwardstown premises. SafeWork SA (then Workplace Services) investigated this matter under the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act 1986.

In May 2006, SafeWork SA charged both the Engineering Employers Association Group Training Scheme and Diemould with offences under section 19(1) of the act. On 23 April 2009, Diemould pleaded guilty to one count of breaching section 19(1) of the act. On 26 June 2009, Diemould was convicted and fined $72,000.

Any workplace death is a tragedy and is to be regretted. As a previous member of the parliamentary committee on occupational safety, rehabilitation and compensation, I know how critical it is to safeguard the wellbeing of employees in South Australian workplaces. I recall that throughout the course of the committee's work, Mr Daniel Madeley's mother, Andrea Madeley, appeared before a committee inquiry about industrial deaths, and I wish to extend my sympathies to her.

In 2010, the State Coroner, Mr Mark Johns, conducted an inquest into the death of Mr Madeley. Today, Mr Johns has handed down the findings of his inquest. I will carefully read and consider the findings of the Coroner, including his recommendations and suggestions, before making a response. I take seriously the need to avoid industrial deaths and I trust the Coroner's findings will be of assistance in this regard.