Finalists of the 2004 Workplace Excellence Awards were announced today by the Minister for Industrial Relations, Rob Hulls.

"The Workplace Excellence Awards, now in their third year, recognise the valuable contribution that workplace partnerships and cooperative industrial relations make to the Victorian community." Mr Hulls said.

"The awards showcase Victorian workplaces that recognise better performance relies on employees and employers working together in partnership.

"I want to congratulate all the finalists. They come from a wide variety of organisations around Victoria from private enterprise, the public sector and community groups.

"This year a new award, the Regional Workplace Excellence Award, will be on offer. It highlights that excellent workplaces are thriving all over Victoria," Mr Hulls said.

The 2004 award finalists are:

The Workplace Excellence Award for a workplace with fewer than 100 employees
Dana Australia - Campbellfield
Mercy Hospice Inc. - Sunshine
BMG Partners - Wodonga

The Workplace Excellence Award for a workplace with 100 to 250 employees
Placard Pty Ltd - Bayswater
Gippsland Water - Traralgon
Employment Support Geelong

The Workplace Excellence Award for a workplace with more than 250 employees
Alcoa World Alumina Australia Point Henry Smelter
Mercy Hospital - Werribee
Manningham City Council - Doncaster

The Workplace Excellence Award for Better Work and Family Balance
The Building Commission - Melbourne
Gippsland Water - Traralgon
Manningham City Council - Doncaster

The Regional Workplace Excellence Award is given at the discretion of the judging panel to an eligible finalist.