Following the recent change in leadership of the Victorian Government the new Premier Ben Carroll unveiled a new cabinet of 20 ministries.
The ministry for WorkSafe and TAC, which was previously held by Ben Carroll, now passes to Steve Dimopoulos.
Mr Dimopoulos has been the member for Oakleigh since 2014, and before to this cabinet reshuffle was the Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, and Minister for Sport and Major Events. Prior to entering Parliament in 2015 Mr Dimopoulos ran a local café in Oakleigh, worked in the Department of Justice and at the Victorian Multicultural Commission, served as a councillor and mayor in the City of Monash, and worked for the former federal member for Hotham, Hon. Dr Simon Crean AC.
VTHC, on behalf of HSRs and workers across the state, look forward to meeting with Minister Dimopoulos to raise a number of outstanding workplace safety reforms, including:
- OHS Sentencing - In February 2025 the Sentencing Advisory Council released a report to the Victorian Government making 12 recommendations for reform regarding the sentencing of OHS offences in Victoria – the Victorian Government is yet to provide a response to this report.
- HSR powers and protections – The Independent Review of Employee Representatives was first commissioned in 2024 to consider whether the powers, functions and supports for HSRs and ARREOs are effective and how to deliver improved health and safety outcomes for all workers. The independent reviewer has reported back to the government with recommendations but the report has not been publicly released. We await Government’s response.
- Code of Claimant Rights - In response to a 2022 recommendation in the independent review of WorkSafe Victoria’s management of complex workers’ compensation claims, legislation was passed allowing for the creation of a code of rights for injured workers. A draft Code has been created and submissions from stakeholders invited, with both VTHC and the Injured Workers Support Network campaigning for better reflection of the core principles of dignity, respect and accountability.
- Updating notifiable incidents – The introduction of the OHS (Psychological Health) Regulations 2025 has prompted the need for s.37 (Notifiable Incidents) of the OHS Act to be reviewed to include incidents relating to mental health. It should be noted that Safe Work Australia has already published amendments to the model Work Health and Safety Act.
- Regulating AI – Premier Carroll has announced the formation of a new ministry for Artificial Intelligence to be headed up by Anthony Carbines. opening the way to addressing the urgent need for health and safety guidelines regulating the use of AI in the workplace. To be effective laws need to address both privacy considerations as well as OHS risks. We have previously written about this issue here.
Read more: Statement from the Premier – new Cabinet August 2026 | Vic.Gov