A memorial for workers killed on the job will be built close to where Ballarat's own Charlie Howkins and Jack Brownlee died.
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Following a massive community fundraising push, including a walk from Geelong to Ballarat and support from unions, the state government has committed another $50,000 to build a statue at the Delacombe site.
The memorial, to be designed by local artist Garry Anderson, will be a permanent honour for the two young men, who died in a trenching accident in 2018, as well as providing a space for families to reflect on their own loved ones who have been killed at work.
Jack's dad Dave said it was "amazing" to get so much community support - he and wife Janine, and Charlie's wife Dr Lana Cormie, have been tireless in fighting to change Victoria's industrial manslaughter laws, which were amended in July last year.
"It's a great honour that Jack and Charlie are being recognised," he said.
"It's three everyday people who've just been kicked in the face by something like this - they (the state government) get it, and you don't get it unless you've experienced it."
Dr Cormie said it will also signify the hope that "it doesn't always need to be this way" for workers.
"The reality is, every single day in this country, capitalism is killing our people and they are dying because profit is trumping life," she said.
"I hope that this memorial will stand to remind people of that, and help to promote workplace safety moving forward.
"There's been many, many people over many years who have known it's not good enough - it continues to happen still.
"We've come a long way but there's still a lot of work to be done."
Acting Premier James Merlino was at the Delacombe site to make the announcement, noting 65 people had lost their lives in Victorian workplaces to work-related injuries or disease in the last year.
"This was a profound catalyst for change in our state," he said.
"Every worker should come home safe and sound to their families and friends."
He was joined by Workplace Safety Minister Ingrid Stitt, who added the Brownlees and Dr Cormie had "changed (Victoria) for the better".
"Through their unimaginable grief, they have continued to advocate strongly for the laws in our state to be significantly strengthened so these sorts of tragedies can be prevented," she said.
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They continue with that advocacy in a really selfless way, both families are still involved in the reform works."
The laws make workplace manslaughter a criminal offence - with negligent employers facing tough new penalties, including fines of up to $16.5 million for companies and up to 25 years in jail for individuals, according to a state government media release.
A Workplace Incidents Consultative Committee is due to convene in mid-2021 and will provide advice to government on how to best support injured workers and their families, prevent serious workplace incidents and make Victorian workplaces safer.
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