Victorian Premier pledges workplace death crackdown

Daniel Andrews has announced a $4 mil package to support the families of Victorians who die at work. The Premier revealed the funding at Labor’s annual state conference in Melbourne.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews speaks during the Victorian Labor State Conference. Picture: James Ross/AAP.

Premier Daniel Andrews has pledged a crackdown on workplace deaths with a new specialist investigations team.

Speaking at Labor’s annual state conference, Mr Andrews announced a $10 million package to support the government’s industrial manslaughter legislation.

A new division will be set up within WorkSafe to investigate and prosecute workplace manslaughter cases in depth.

Reforms to the way authorities handle deaths and serious injuries to ensure accident sites are treated as serious crime scenes.

Grief counselling will be expanded and clear systems put in place to ensure families are notified of serious injuries or deaths as quickly as possible.

A dedicated “Families Fund” will receive $4 million to support Victorians who lose a loved one at work.

Mr Andrews said the government was focused on delivering its industrial manslaughter legislation by the end of the year.

The laws passed the lower house this week but are yet to pass through the Legislative Council.

“We still have a fight on our hands,” he said.

“Fundamentally our reforms are about saving lives.

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“But if someone does tragically die at work we’ll make sure their family gets the support they need.”

In 2020, truck drivers who are die on the job will be counted among workplace deaths for the first time.

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