❓ Hon. Sally Talbot questions the Minister for Commerce regarding the transport of Alcoa workers through the Yarloop bushfire zone and the accuracy of initial advice received about DFES involvement. WorkSafe has commenced an investigation into the matter.
AnsweredQoN 125Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
YARLOOP BUSHFIRES — ALCOA WORKER TRANSPORT
125. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the Minister for
Commerce:
I refer to the minister's
advice in question time on 17 February 2016 that WorkSafe would make contact
with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and the Department of Mines
and Petroleum to determine whether an investigation was necessary into reports
that Alcoa workers were driven by bus from Pinjarra and Bunbury to Wagerup
through the firegrounds of the Yarloop bushfires in January.
(1) Who advised the minister that
buses taking workers in and out were escorted by DFES personnel?
(2) Is the minister now aware that
this advice is wrong?
(3) Has WorkSafe made a decision
about whether to conduct an investigation?
(4) If so, when will it start and
how long will it take?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
125. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the Minister for
Commerce:
I refer to the minister's
advice in question time on 17 February 2016 that WorkSafe would make contact
with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and the Department of Mines
and Petroleum to determine whether an investigation was necessary into reports
that Alcoa workers were driven by bus from Pinjarra and Bunbury to Wagerup
through the firegrounds of the Yarloop bushfires in January.
(1) Who advised the minister that
buses taking workers in and out were escorted by DFES personnel?
(2) Is the minister now aware that
this advice is wrong?
(3) Has WorkSafe made a decision
about whether to conduct an investigation?
(4) If so, when will it start and
how long will it take?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of this question.
(1) I was advised
by the WorkSafe division of the Department of Commerce. As I indicated during
question time on 17 February, WorkSafe based this advice on media reports of
the incident as no complaint had been made to WorkSafe.
(2) The detail of
what occurred is still being established and as such I am not in a position to
comment at this point in time.
(3) Yes.
(4) WorkSafe has
commenced an investigation. The duration of the investigation will depend upon
the information received and how long it takes for the issues to be examined.
(5) Not applicable.
some notice of this question.
(1) I was advised
by the WorkSafe division of the Department of Commerce. As I indicated during
question time on 17 February, WorkSafe based this advice on media reports of
the incident as no complaint had been made to WorkSafe.
(2) The detail of
what occurred is still being established and as such I am not in a position to
comment at this point in time.
(3) Yes.
(4) WorkSafe has
commenced an investigation. The duration of the investigation will depend upon
the information received and how long it takes for the issues to be examined.
(5) Not applicable.
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