Victoria’s “seriously flawed” WorkSafe processes have come under fire from The Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, who highlighted the case of a young Latrobe Valley resident being failed by the system.
Byron Foley was a 20-year-old fitter and turner apprentice when he suffered a catastrophic workplace injury in 2021 after a steel pipe struck his head. Byron spent more than five months in hospital and underwent surgery to be fitted with a titanium skull.
Four years on, Byron and his family are still battling a the WorkSafe system they describe as “fundamentally broken”.
“Despite the severity of Byron’s injuries, and despite the fact he will never work again, his family has faced endless barriers in accessing the support and compensation he deserves,” Mr Cameron said.
“Byron’s family has not received family assistance, transport vouchers or home modifications from WorkSafe.
“Byron’s benefits have been reduced, so has his access to vital physiotherapy treatment, and his family is constantly battling with the insurer to secure the bare minimum.
“Recent amendments to the Workplace Industry Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 were intended to improve fairness and dignity for injured workers, yet Byron’s experience shows this is not happening.
“Fortunately, Byron has a strong family support system around him, but this should not be the only safety net. This family is exhausted.
“They are calling for urgent legislative reform, a streamlined one-stop shop for injured workers and their families, fairer compensation and better support services.
“How do we have a system where a young apprentice suffers a catastrophic, life-changing injury and the scheme designed to protect him fails?
“In 2023–24 Victorian businesses will face dramatic WorkCover premium hikes, generating $1.7 billion in revenue, yet this money is not reaching the injured workers who need it most.
“The Minister for WorkSafe knows this is not an isolated case and must act to fix this system which is failing Victorians in need.”
