Wednesday, 20 March 2019

 Ms HENNESSY (Altona—Attorney-General, Minister for Workplace Safety) (11:24): I rise to update the house on the government’s progress in respect of workplace manslaughter reform. Of course tomorrow marks the first anniversary of the Delacombe trench collapse, which tragically took the lives of Jack Brownlee and Charlie Howkins. Charlie and Jack were killed while they were laying pipes at a housing development in Ballarat on 21 March 2018. They were at the start of their lives and their careers. Charlie was the father of two beautiful children, and Jack was only 21 and at the start of his life. I want to acknowledge the very profound strength and courage and generosity of their families as they have advocated for very important law reform that we are committed to delivering on.

Since the Delacombe tragedy, Lana, Dave and Janine have been tirelessly advocating and campaigning on behalf of their families, but also on behalf of all working people and on behalf of the Ballarat community that is very, very supportive of their work, for the introduction of laws that hold people accountable when it comes to workplace accidents. I also would like to acknowledge the member for Wendouree and of course the member for Buninyong, who have been strong advocates, and the incredible work that the Ballarat community have done to back and support people whilst they are making the very important need for these reforms understood.

As Lana, who lost her beautiful husband in this accident, makes the point very, very poignantly, that no-one should go to work and not come home. That is a burden that she and her family now have to bear—making the point that one life lost is one life too many.

I would like to advise the house that a workplace manslaughter task force has been established. The member for Sydenham has very kindly agreed to chair that task force. Jack and Charlie’s families will be a part of that task force as we develop reforms to introduce these very important workplace changes. I know that the hearts and minds of this chamber will be with those families as they deal with the unbearable grief and recollection that tomorrow will inevitably bring.