NEW workplace manslaughter laws will be introduced in Victoria's parliament by the end of year as the state government promises to work with families and victims of workplace accidents.
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As revealed in The Courier yesterday, Premier Daniel Andrews was in Ballarat on Friday to announce an "implementation taskforce" which will be asked to help formulate the new law.
"It's bitter sweet, obviously it's very sad to remember lives cut short but at the same time we are pleased to have made the progress as we have to get us to this place today," Mr Andrews said.
"You can't help be impressed by the courage and bravery of these families who continue to tell their story and the story of their men and continue to call on us to do more and do better to keep people safe at work.
"We've had eight deaths at work this year, who knows, there might have even been more that aren't necessarily categorised as workplace deaths.
"We can expect about 30 people not to come home from work this year and that is an unacceptable number.
"Each and every one of those statistics is so much more than that, it's a tragedy. The victims are not just those that don't come home, the victims are also those who are forced to rebuild a life without a loved one."
Lana Cormie, who's husband Charlie was killed in a Delacombe trench collapse in March last year said she was pleased to be included in the taskforce.
"Injured workers and the families of those that have been lost know the downfalls of this system and we look forward to being able to see the government see those weaknesses more clearly," Dr Cormie said.
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