A peak lawyers' body has urged the Tasmanian Government to introduce industrial manslaughter laws after a workplace was fined just AUD25,000 (USD18,415) for a fatal forklift accident involving a 16-year-old youth.

The Australian Lawyers' Alliance (ALA) says the case of Matthew Hudson is a "startling illustration of the failings of our workplace safety laws".

The Hobart Mercury reported Hudson, who worked for a contractor, was killed when the forklift he was driving toppled over at the Australian Food Group's Blue Ribbon meatworks at Killafaddy, in the state of Tasmania, last year.

Hudson did not have a forklift licence.

Launceston Magistrates' Court chief magistrate Arnold Shott imposed the AUD25,000 (USD18,415) fine on the Australian Food Group last week for two breaches of Tasmania's Workplace Health & Safety Act.

Hudson's father, Guy Hudson, leapt to his feet in court when the magistrate handed down the fine.
"Their insurance will cover AUD25,000 (USD18,415)and we're left with a life full of grief," he said.

ALA president Sandra Taglieri said other Australian states had crimes of industrial manslaughter and a wider range of penalties.

"Modest fines representing not even 20 per cent of the maximum fine available, as in this instance, send the wrong message to employers," she said. "Fines must be big enough to encourage spending on safety instead of allowing employers to pay a modest fine if caught out, charged and convicted of safety breaches."