This week is National Farm Safety Week and never has it been more important to raise awareness of farm safety issues across Australia.
Agriculture is one of the most dangerous industries to work in and has one of the highest fatality rate of any Australian industry.
Worker fatality rates are high with 14.6 fatalities per 100,000 workers and apart from some year-on-year volatility there has been no dramatic improvement over the last 10 years.
Tragically, so far this year 21 workers have died whilst working in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry.
One workplace death is one too many. One seriously injured worker is one too many. Workplace deaths and serious injuries are unacceptable and avoidable.
Farm safety must be a top priority for farmers, their workforce and governments alike.
The 2018 National Farm Safety Week theme continues to highlight the importance of business and industry working together to increase the wellbeing of Australian farmers (and their workforce) through innovation and improved attention to health and safety outcomes.
Labor supports the right of every worker to have a safe workplace. Every worker deserves to return home safely at the end of each day.
Farm Safety Week is about making sure that everyone involved in the farm gets home safe and sound at the end of every single working day.
A Shorten Labor Government will continue to advance its workplace safety agenda (including Farm Safety) through Safe Work Australia in partnership with industry, workers, unions and the States and Territories.