HOBART - There were still lessons to be learned following the Beaconsfield mine collapse despite a decision today not to lay charges over the disaster, an Australian union heavyweight said today.
Miner Larry Knight died in the rock fall on April 25, 2006, while fellow miners Brant Webband Todd Russell were trapped underground in the northern Tasmanian mine for 14 nights.
In a statement today, a spokesman for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said the office was not about to lay charges over the Beaconsfield gold mine rockfall last Anzac Day.
The office said it did not have enough information from an independent investigation into the incident to determine if there had been a breach of Workplace Health and Safety laws.
However, it said charges could be laid at a later date if more information came to light as a result of the state-commissioned investigation by lawyer Greg Melick.
But Bill Shorten, the Australian Workers' Union national secretary, and who remained at the mine throughout the two-week rescue drama, said there was a breakdown in communications at the mine before its collapse.
"We have not seen the evidence that the DPP has, and will certainly not second-guess its decision, which was based on the diligent investigation of Mr Greg Melick," Mr Shorten said in a statement.
"But it is important to point out, however, that the fact that charges have not been laid does not mean lessons do not need to be learned.
"The AWU believes that there was poor communication at the mine prior to the rock fall, and we know that mining methods have changed since Anzac Day last year.
"There is very rarely a 'smoking gun', which could lead directly to charges in occupational health and safety incidents, but that should not take away from the fact that there are issues that need to be carefully studied and remedied in this case."
The mine's new management was committed to safety, Mr Shorten said.
