Fix the Health and Safety law - Pike Families

The Government has today betrayed its promise to the families of workers killed at Pike, and in hundreds of other workplaces, by pushing weakened health and safety law through its second reading.

Family members of workers killed at Pike River Mine and in the forestry industry were in Parliament today for the second reading of the government’s health and safety legislation, and are calling for the Bill to be changed before it is passed into law.

Anna Osborne, whose husband Milton was killed in the Pike River disaster, says “These weaker laws are a betrayal.”

“John Key stood there after Pike and promised us he would fix the law. He hasn’t, but other MPs can if they stand up for what’s right.”

Sonya Rockhouse lost her 21-year-old son, Ben, at Pike River. She says, "The government’s Bill is broken. I don’t expect much from them but I’m hoping other parties will act to protect workers properly before it becomes law.”

Deborah McMillan, whose husband Shane was killing in a forestry accident says, “This Bill is a kick in the guts.”

“They’ve learned nothing from Shane’s death or from the hundreds of deaths at work since his. It’s just wrong.”

“I hope all of the MPs I saw in there today have a good think about who they stand for before they vote for this law.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media