❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding bullying and harassment allegations at the Kalgoorlie Superpit, focusing on the conduct of a specific employee, Tony Brown, and the responses of KCGM and the Department of Mines and Petroleum. The Minister provides limited direct comment, citing ongoing investigations.
AnsweredQoN 2287Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines Pty Ltd (KCGM) operations, owned by Barrick Gold and Newmont, commonly known as ‘the superpit’ in the Kalgoorlie Boulder region, and the ‘Superpit Employees’ Facebook site available at,
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=65173434672#!/group.php?gid=65173434672&v=wall
, and I ask -
(1) Is it true that Tony Brown is currently employed as the pit two (or assistant supervisor) of C Crew in the open pits operation at the abovementioned operations?
(2) In light of the complaints raised concerning bullying, victimisation, harassment and intimidation of the workers at the abovementioned operations by management staff, does the Minister support the comment posted by Tony Brown on the ‘Superpit Employees’ Facebook site on 18 April 2010 at 8.47pm?
(3) If yes to (2), why?
(4) If no to (2), why not?
(5) Will the Minister state whether or not complaints have been made, either to the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP), or internally within KCGM that either accuse or implicate Tony Brown in conduct reflective of bullying, victimisation, harassment or intimidation, either overtly or covertly?
(6) If yes to (5),have these complaints been investigated by the DMP?
(7) If yes to (6), will the Minister state the specific nature of these complaints and the outcome of such investigations?
(8) If no to (7) why not?
(9) Does the Minister believe that the above statements by Tony Brown are conducive to good management worker relations, in one of the State’s premier mining companies?
(10) If yes to (9), why?
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=65173434672#!/group.php?gid=65173434672&v=wall
, and I ask -
(1) Is it true that Tony Brown is currently employed as the pit two (or assistant supervisor) of C Crew in the open pits operation at the abovementioned operations?
(2) In light of the complaints raised concerning bullying, victimisation, harassment and intimidation of the workers at the abovementioned operations by management staff, does the Minister support the comment posted by Tony Brown on the ‘Superpit Employees’ Facebook site on 18 April 2010 at 8.47pm?
(3) If yes to (2), why?
(4) If no to (2), why not?
(5) Will the Minister state whether or not complaints have been made, either to the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP), or internally within KCGM that either accuse or implicate Tony Brown in conduct reflective of bullying, victimisation, harassment or intimidation, either overtly or covertly?
(6) If yes to (5),have these complaints been investigated by the DMP?
(7) If yes to (6), will the Minister state the specific nature of these complaints and the outcome of such investigations?
(8) If no to (7) why not?
(9) Does the Minister believe that the above statements by Tony Brown are conducive to good management worker relations, in one of the State’s premier mining companies?
(10) If yes to (9), why?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
25 May 2010
Responded by
Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
34 days
1. I am advised that Mr Brown is employed as a leading hand on the 'C' crew at the open pit operations of KCGM.
2. I do not intend to comment on Facebook entries made by any person.
3-4 See response (2) above.
5. Two of the three complaints received by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP), in November 2009, contain allegations against Mr Brown in his capacity as a supervisor. The first complaint mentioned that the employee was disciplined by Mr Brown with regard to safety breaches. The second complaint contains allegations against Mr Brown as part of a general complaint lodged against KCGM.
6. Both complaints have been investigated by DMP inspectors.
7. Details of the complaints are as follows:
i. A complaint was made on 20 November 2009
ii. The complaint related to the relationship with the supervisor
iii. Allegations of bullying were also made
iv. DMP inspectors attended a meeting on site between the complainant and site personnel
v. A resolution was attained at this meeting
vi. A second complaint was made on 27 November 2009
vii. The investigation into this is ongoing
viii. The process involves both the inspectorate and union representatives
ix. There are issues with a medical opinion
x. The complainant is currently undergoing a work rehabilitation program
xi. There are issues relating to the duties allocated to the complainant during the rehabilitation program
xii. The company has agreed to put the complainant back to her original duties upon getting full medical clearance
xiii. KCGM staff involved in the alleged bullying have been disciplined
8. Not applicable.
9. See response (2) above.
10. Not applicable
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2. I do not intend to comment on Facebook entries made by any person.
3-4 See response (2) above.
5. Two of the three complaints received by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP), in November 2009, contain allegations against Mr Brown in his capacity as a supervisor. The first complaint mentioned that the employee was disciplined by Mr Brown with regard to safety breaches. The second complaint contains allegations against Mr Brown as part of a general complaint lodged against KCGM.
6. Both complaints have been investigated by DMP inspectors.
7. Details of the complaints are as follows:
i. A complaint was made on 20 November 2009
ii. The complaint related to the relationship with the supervisor
iii. Allegations of bullying were also made
iv. DMP inspectors attended a meeting on site between the complainant and site personnel
v. A resolution was attained at this meeting
vi. A second complaint was made on 27 November 2009
vii. The investigation into this is ongoing
viii. The process involves both the inspectorate and union representatives
ix. There are issues with a medical opinion
x. The complainant is currently undergoing a work rehabilitation program
xi. There are issues relating to the duties allocated to the complainant during the rehabilitation program
xii. The company has agreed to put the complainant back to her original duties upon getting full medical clearance
xiii. KCGM staff involved in the alleged bullying have been disciplined
8. Not applicable.
9. See response (2) above.
10. Not applicable
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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