In imposing the penalties, Judge Stewart Brown found that the affected worker was vulnerable and remained “out of pocket” despite direct requests to the cleaning operator.
“This process shows the right checks and balances are in place to protect groundwater, however, anti-coal activists have begun a misinformation campaign to twist the truth."
The cleaners were Sri Lankan and Nepalese nationals, aged between 19 and their early 20s at the time. They were in Australia on student visas and post-study work visas.
During the hearing, Roberts asked whether particular nationalities or ethnic groups appeared more frequently in reports involving unlicensed or untrained drivers.
Lady Chief Justice Carr said the original sentence had understated the “deliberate cruelty, additional suffering and obstruction” that followed the attack.