First WHS prosecutor appointed in Qld

The first independent Work Health and Safety Prosecutor has just been appointed in Queensland.

The state government announced that Aaron Guilfoyle would be stepping into the role.

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said Guilfoyle would lead a new independent statutory office focused on workplace health and safety and electrical safety prosecutions.

“Mr Guilfoyle as the former Assistant Director for the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) has extensive experience in high-profile and complex regulatory prosecutions,” Grace said.

“He is eminently qualified to become Queensland’s first Work Health and Safety Prosecutor and to provide expert workplace health and safety legal advice to government.”

Grace said the new statutory office and the appointment of a Work Health and Safety Prosecutor delivered on a key recommendation of a best practice review of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.

“The best practice review followed the Dreamworld tragedy and two workplace deaths in 2016 at Eagle Farm racecourse, which shocked and saddened us all,” she said.

“We’ve put in place a stronger framework to deliver an independent and robust workplace prosecution system that Queenslanders can have confidence in.

“The appointment of Mr Guilfoyle coincides with tougher, best practice safety requirements for Queensland amusement rides and theme parks from May.”

Guilfoyle has been appointed to a five-year term, starting in the role this week.

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