I would like to pay tribute to the life and mourn the death of Mr Anthony Attard, a Taylors Hill resident, who died in a workplace accident on board the Tasmanian Achiever, a ship docked at the Toll Shipping facility in Port Melbourne. He was loading cargo in the company of his brother and best friend at about 1.45 p.m. on Tuesday, 20 May, when the accident occurred. Ambulance Victoria treated him at the scene, but he could not be saved. Anthony leaves behind his wife, Sandra, three children and many loving family members.

Members of Mr Attard’s extended family have asked me to remind the house that he was someone’s husband, father, brother and son. He was not just a number or statistic. He should have been able to go to work and come home safely to his family. He was loved. He also loved life and had so many more plans for the future that now cannot be fulfilled.His avoidable death has affected not just his immediate family but an entire community – the community I represent in this Parliament. Everyone who knew him loved him.

I also want to read some of the tributes paid to him by some of his friends and colleagues. The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) said that Anthony was well liked by all and was a staunch member and delegate of the Victorian branch of the MUA. High school friend Michelle Renda remembered a funny, charming man with a heart of gold. A member of his extended family, Deborah Clowes, said that Anthony was the most beautiful husband, father, brother, uncle and friend.