
Thales Australia, the company behind Bushmaster and Hawkei protected vehicle, has been convicted and fined $450,000 for the death of a worker in 2020, the Bendigo Magistrates Court has heard.
Joe Kane, 50, was killed when a subframe of a two-door Hawkei light protected mobility vehicle fell on him on July 2, 2020.
The court heard Mr Kane had been a creative tinkerer and an "attentive and proud father".
Magistrate Trieu Huynh said the impact of his death on Mr Kane's daughter had been "profound".
Mr Huynh said he took into consideration the remorse shown by Thales and a plea of guilty at the earliest opportunity.
Thales Australia otherwise had no prior convictions and held a good safety record.
Mr Kane, the court heard, had died from chest blunt trauma and pressure asphyxia.
IN OTHER NEWS: