The backhoe at the incident scene, December 2022. Photo: SafeWork NSW

DIRECTORS of a New South Wales farming partnership have pleaded not guilty in the Industrial Court to charges over two separate fatal workplace incidents in 2022 and 2024.

The deaths occurred at properties near Carinda, south-west of Walgett, owned by P&J Harris & Sons.

In both cases charges were laid against Jane, Peter and Jack Harris as well as six companies which comprised the P & J Harris and Sons farming partnership.

On Monday, a representative acting for the defendants appeared for a mention in the case, which SafeWork NSW commenced in December 2025 over the 2024 farm death.

During the mention, pleas of not guilty were entered on behalf of each defendant.

Industrial Registrar Monique Welch set the matter down for a two-week hearing beginning on 27 April 2027, by agreement between the parties.

The Harris farming partnership previously pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the 2022 farm death, with SafeWork NSW commencing the prosecution in 2024.

The case is listed for a readiness hearing before Justice Jane Paingakulam on 20 August 2027 followed by a 15-day hearing commencing on 27 September 2027.

SafeWork NSW charges

In relation to the two incidents, SafeWork NSW has laid the following charges:

• Alleging failure of six companies, comprising the P & J Harris and Sons farming partnership, to comply with their duties under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011;

• Alleged failure of Jane Harris and Peter Harris, as directors, to ensure the companies complied with their WH&S duties under the act; and,

• Alleged failure of Jack Harris to comply with his duty as a worker under the act.

SafeWork NSW alleged the 2022 incident involved a backhoe that slid about 2m into a culvert and came to rest on its side.

The 28-year-old operator was thrown from the machine and died after becoming trapped beneath the cabin.

The 2024 incident occurred on January 1, with SafeWork NSW alleging a 30-year-old man drowned while attempting to swim to the middle of a large irrigation storage dam to measure water depth.

According to media reports, both men who died were seasonal workers, one an Estonian national, and the other from Vanuatu.

Reports say the Vanuatuan man who died in 2024 had previously worked under the PALM scheme but was not employed through the program at the time he was working on the Carinda farm.

Based in Moree, P&J Harris & Sons is one of Australia’s largest cotton operations with a portfolio including several properties in northern NSW, and the Bourke and Collymongle gins.

It also owns Gulf Coast Agricultural Co in Far North Queensland.

National Farm Safety Week

The fatal incidents highlight the risks associated with cotton farming, including the use of large machinery, remote working environments and farm work taking place during holiday periods.

National Farm Safety Week returns from 19 to 25 July with the theme Set the Standard – Show ’em how it’s done.

This year’s campaign focuses on the power of role modelling, leadership and the everyday decisions that shape what is considered “normal” on Australian farms.

Held each July, it promotes education, stronger safety culture and practical actions to reduce injuries and accidents across the agricultural industry.

This year Cotton Australia is taking part by hosting a webinar on Wednesday, July 22 titled, Fatigue on farm: what the new codes mean for growers.

Presented by Josh Ingham from Ingham & Co, the webinar will give an overview of the new fatigue Codes of Practice now in effect and explain what these changes mean for cotton businesses in day-to-day operations.

Grain Central: Get our free news straight to your inbox – Click here