❓ Mr. Logan questions the Minister for Commerce about low OSH training rates at WorkCover and the Department of Housing. Minister Buswell admits he doesn't know the details but will investigate, deflecting by highlighting achievements in housing and workers' compensation reform.
AnsweredQoN 91Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WORKCOVER – Department of Housing — occupational safety and health training
I refer to startling new figures that reveal that managers in the minister’s departments have failed to undertake compulsory training in occupational safety and health, and injury management. (1) Can the minister explain why only 18 per cent of managers at WorkCover are trained in occupational safety and health, and injury management responsibilities, while 95 per cent of managers at Lotterywest have completed occupational safety and health training? (2) Can the minister explain why, in contravention of a circular from the Public Sector Commissioner requiring agencies to undertake occupational safety and health training, the Department of Housing is unable to even identify how many of its staff have received occupational safety and health training? Mr T.R. BUSWELL
I refer to startling new figures that reveal that managers in the minister’s departments have failed to undertake compulsory training in occupational safety and health, and injury management. (1) Can the minister explain why only 18 per cent of managers at WorkCover are trained in occupational safety and health, and injury management responsibilities, while 95 per cent of managers at Lotterywest have completed occupational safety and health training? (2) Can the minister explain why, in contravention of a circular from the Public Sector Commissioner requiring agencies to undertake occupational safety and health training, the Department of Housing is unable to even identify how many of its staff have received occupational safety and health training? Mr T.R. BUSWELL
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) No, I cannot explain why such a small percentage of people at WorkCover have had training in occupational safety and health. I have been to WorkCover; I went there last year. It does a fantastic job, and I was warmly welcomed! I cannot explain why such a small percentage of people who work at WorkCover have received occupational safety and health training. Mr F.M. Logan : Of all agencies! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I can appreciate that it is probably pretty dangerous at WorkCover, but I cannot explain it—nor can I explain why that is the case at the Department of Housing. After question time today, I will ring Michelle Reynolds and ask her, and I will also ask Grahame Searle from the Department of Housing. With all due respect, this is not normally the sort of detail that comes across a ministerial desk. Funnily enough, I have not asked for a review of how many people have had occupational safety and health training in that department. I do not know. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re the minister responsible for occupational safety and health! You’d think you’d know! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn is talking about WorkCover. It is not the sort of detail that I regularly ring the agency and ask for. I have asked WorkCover to review the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act in Western Australia; that is going through a process and will be made public very soon. There are some great outcomes there. WorkCover has been focused on improving the compensation system for workers in Western Australia; they have been doing a good job. I am glad that the chief executive officer of WorkCover has been doing that. I am sure that when I ring her up, she will be able to answer the question—what was the question?—about what percentage of people have had OSH training. I do not know, but I hope for her sake that she is listening to this and that she will be able to do that. In relation to housing, what have we been doing? We have been delivering the biggest public housing investment program in the history of this state—2 700 public houses are being built. So, when I have my weekly meeting with the Director General of Housing, I do not ask, “Grahame, how are your stats going in relation to OSH?” I ask, “How many houses have you built this week, Grahame?” Maybe the priorities are wrong. Maybe they are. But I would rather be building houses, and I would rather be fixing the workers’ compensation system. When members opposite see what we are doing—their government had eight years to do this—they will be shaking their heads and asking, “How did that happen?”
(1) Can the minister explain why only 18 per cent of managers at WorkCover are trained in occupational safety and health, and injury management responsibilities, while 95 per cent of managers at Lotterywest have completed occupational safety and health training? (2) Can the minister explain why, in contravention of a circular from the Public Sector Commissioner requiring agencies to undertake occupational safety and health training, the Department of Housing is unable to even identify how many of its staff have received occupational safety and health training? Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: (1)–(2) No, I cannot explain why such a small percentage of people at WorkCover have had training in occupational safety and health. I have been to WorkCover; I went there last year. It does a fantastic job, and I was warmly welcomed! I cannot explain why such a small percentage of people who work at WorkCover have received occupational safety and health training. Mr F.M. Logan : Of all agencies! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I can appreciate that it is probably pretty dangerous at WorkCover, but I cannot explain it—nor can I explain why that is the case at the Department of Housing. After question time today, I will ring Michelle Reynolds and ask her, and I will also ask Grahame Searle from the Department of Housing. With all due respect, this is not normally the sort of detail that comes across a ministerial desk. Funnily enough, I have not asked for a review of how many people have had occupational safety and health training in that department. I do not know. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re the minister responsible for occupational safety and health! You’d think you’d know! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn is talking about WorkCover. It is not the sort of detail that I regularly ring the agency and ask for. I have asked WorkCover to review the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act in Western Australia; that is going through a process and will be made public very soon. There are some great outcomes there. WorkCover has been focused on improving the compensation system for workers in Western Australia; they have been doing a good job. I am glad that the chief executive officer of WorkCover has been doing that. I am sure that when I ring her up, she will be able to answer the question—what was the question?—about what percentage of people have had OSH training. I do not know, but I hope for her sake that she is listening to this and that she will be able to do that. In relation to housing, what have we been doing? We have been delivering the biggest public housing investment program in the history of this state—2 700 public houses are being built. So, when I have my weekly meeting with the Director General of Housing, I do not ask, “Grahame, how are your stats going in relation to OSH?” I ask, “How many houses have you built this week, Grahame?” Maybe the priorities are wrong. Maybe they are. But I would rather be building houses, and I would rather be fixing the workers’ compensation system. When members opposite see what we are doing—their government had eight years to do this—they will be shaking their heads and asking, “How did that happen?”
(2) Can the minister explain why, in contravention of a circular from the Public Sector Commissioner requiring agencies to undertake occupational safety and health training, the Department of Housing is unable to even identify how many of its staff have received occupational safety and health training? Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: (1)–(2) No, I cannot explain why such a small percentage of people at WorkCover have had training in occupational safety and health. I have been to WorkCover; I went there last year. It does a fantastic job, and I was warmly welcomed! I cannot explain why such a small percentage of people who work at WorkCover have received occupational safety and health training. Mr F.M. Logan : Of all agencies! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I can appreciate that it is probably pretty dangerous at WorkCover, but I cannot explain it—nor can I explain why that is the case at the Department of Housing. After question time today, I will ring Michelle Reynolds and ask her, and I will also ask Grahame Searle from the Department of Housing. With all due respect, this is not normally the sort of detail that comes across a ministerial desk. Funnily enough, I have not asked for a review of how many people have had occupational safety and health training in that department. I do not know. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re the minister responsible for occupational safety and health! You’d think you’d know! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn is talking about WorkCover. It is not the sort of detail that I regularly ring the agency and ask for. I have asked WorkCover to review the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act in Western Australia; that is going through a process and will be made public very soon. There are some great outcomes there. WorkCover has been focused on improving the compensation system for workers in Western Australia; they have been doing a good job. I am glad that the chief executive officer of WorkCover has been doing that. I am sure that when I ring her up, she will be able to answer the question—what was the question?—about what percentage of people have had OSH training. I do not know, but I hope for her sake that she is listening to this and that she will be able to do that. In relation to housing, what have we been doing? We have been delivering the biggest public housing investment program in the history of this state—2 700 public houses are being built. So, when I have my weekly meeting with the Director General of Housing, I do not ask, “Grahame, how are your stats going in relation to OSH?” I ask, “How many houses have you built this week, Grahame?” Maybe the priorities are wrong. Maybe they are. But I would rather be building houses, and I would rather be fixing the workers’ compensation system. When members opposite see what we are doing—their government had eight years to do this—they will be shaking their heads and asking, “How did that happen?”
Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: (1)–(2) No, I cannot explain why such a small percentage of people at WorkCover have had training in occupational safety and health. I have been to WorkCover; I went there last year. It does a fantastic job, and I was warmly welcomed! I cannot explain why such a small percentage of people who work at WorkCover have received occupational safety and health training. Mr F.M. Logan : Of all agencies! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I can appreciate that it is probably pretty dangerous at WorkCover, but I cannot explain it—nor can I explain why that is the case at the Department of Housing. After question time today, I will ring Michelle Reynolds and ask her, and I will also ask Grahame Searle from the Department of Housing. With all due respect, this is not normally the sort of detail that comes across a ministerial desk. Funnily enough, I have not asked for a review of how many people have had occupational safety and health training in that department. I do not know. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re the minister responsible for occupational safety and health! You’d think you’d know! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn is talking about WorkCover. It is not the sort of detail that I regularly ring the agency and ask for. I have asked WorkCover to review the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act in Western Australia; that is going through a process and will be made public very soon. There are some great outcomes there. WorkCover has been focused on improving the compensation system for workers in Western Australia; they have been doing a good job. I am glad that the chief executive officer of WorkCover has been doing that. I am sure that when I ring her up, she will be able to answer the question—what was the question?—about what percentage of people have had OSH training. I do not know, but I hope for her sake that she is listening to this and that she will be able to do that. In relation to housing, what have we been doing? We have been delivering the biggest public housing investment program in the history of this state—2 700 public houses are being built. So, when I have my weekly meeting with the Director General of Housing, I do not ask, “Grahame, how are your stats going in relation to OSH?” I ask, “How many houses have you built this week, Grahame?” Maybe the priorities are wrong. Maybe they are. But I would rather be building houses, and I would rather be fixing the workers’ compensation system. When members opposite see what we are doing—their government had eight years to do this—they will be shaking their heads and asking, “How did that happen?”
(1)–(2) No, I cannot explain why such a small percentage of people at WorkCover have had training in occupational safety and health. I have been to WorkCover; I went there last year. It does a fantastic job, and I was warmly welcomed! I cannot explain why such a small percentage of people who work at WorkCover have received occupational safety and health training. Mr F.M. Logan : Of all agencies! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I can appreciate that it is probably pretty dangerous at WorkCover, but I cannot explain it—nor can I explain why that is the case at the Department of Housing. After question time today, I will ring Michelle Reynolds and ask her, and I will also ask Grahame Searle from the Department of Housing. With all due respect, this is not normally the sort of detail that comes across a ministerial desk. Funnily enough, I have not asked for a review of how many people have had occupational safety and health training in that department. I do not know. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re the minister responsible for occupational safety and health! You’d think you’d know! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn is talking about WorkCover. It is not the sort of detail that I regularly ring the agency and ask for. I have asked WorkCover to review the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act in Western Australia; that is going through a process and will be made public very soon. There are some great outcomes there. WorkCover has been focused on improving the compensation system for workers in Western Australia; they have been doing a good job. I am glad that the chief executive officer of WorkCover has been doing that. I am sure that when I ring her up, she will be able to answer the question—what was the question?—about what percentage of people have had OSH training. I do not know, but I hope for her sake that she is listening to this and that she will be able to do that. In relation to housing, what have we been doing? We have been delivering the biggest public housing investment program in the history of this state—2 700 public houses are being built. So, when I have my weekly meeting with the Director General of Housing, I do not ask, “Grahame, how are your stats going in relation to OSH?” I ask, “How many houses have you built this week, Grahame?” Maybe the priorities are wrong. Maybe they are. But I would rather be building houses, and I would rather be fixing the workers’ compensation system. When members opposite see what we are doing—their government had eight years to do this—they will be shaking their heads and asking, “How did that happen?”
Mr F.M. Logan : Of all agencies! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I can appreciate that it is probably pretty dangerous at WorkCover, but I cannot explain it—nor can I explain why that is the case at the Department of Housing. After question time today, I will ring Michelle Reynolds and ask her, and I will also ask Grahame Searle from the Department of Housing. With all due respect, this is not normally the sort of detail that comes across a ministerial desk. Funnily enough, I have not asked for a review of how many people have had occupational safety and health training in that department. I do not know. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re the minister responsible for occupational safety and health! You’d think you’d know! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn is talking about WorkCover. It is not the sort of detail that I regularly ring the agency and ask for. I have asked WorkCover to review the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act in Western Australia; that is going through a process and will be made public very soon. There are some great outcomes there. WorkCover has been focused on improving the compensation system for workers in Western Australia; they have been doing a good job. I am glad that the chief executive officer of WorkCover has been doing that. I am sure that when I ring her up, she will be able to answer the question—what was the question?—about what percentage of people have had OSH training. I do not know, but I hope for her sake that she is listening to this and that she will be able to do that. In relation to housing, what have we been doing? We have been delivering the biggest public housing investment program in the history of this state—2 700 public houses are being built. So, when I have my weekly meeting with the Director General of Housing, I do not ask, “Grahame, how are your stats going in relation to OSH?” I ask, “How many houses have you built this week, Grahame?” Maybe the priorities are wrong. Maybe they are. But I would rather be building houses, and I would rather be fixing the workers’ compensation system. When members opposite see what we are doing—their government had eight years to do this—they will be shaking their heads and asking, “How did that happen?”
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I can appreciate that it is probably pretty dangerous at WorkCover, but I cannot explain it—nor can I explain why that is the case at the Department of Housing. After question time today, I will ring Michelle Reynolds and ask her, and I will also ask Grahame Searle from the Department of Housing. With all due respect, this is not normally the sort of detail that comes across a ministerial desk. Funnily enough, I have not asked for a review of how many people have had occupational safety and health training in that department. I do not know. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re the minister responsible for occupational safety and health! You’d think you’d know! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn is talking about WorkCover. It is not the sort of detail that I regularly ring the agency and ask for. I have asked WorkCover to review the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act in Western Australia; that is going through a process and will be made public very soon. There are some great outcomes there. WorkCover has been focused on improving the compensation system for workers in Western Australia; they have been doing a good job. I am glad that the chief executive officer of WorkCover has been doing that. I am sure that when I ring her up, she will be able to answer the question—what was the question?—about what percentage of people have had OSH training. I do not know, but I hope for her sake that she is listening to this and that she will be able to do that. In relation to housing, what have we been doing? We have been delivering the biggest public housing investment program in the history of this state—2 700 public houses are being built. So, when I have my weekly meeting with the Director General of Housing, I do not ask, “Grahame, how are your stats going in relation to OSH?” I ask, “How many houses have you built this week, Grahame?” Maybe the priorities are wrong. Maybe they are. But I would rather be building houses, and I would rather be fixing the workers’ compensation system. When members opposite see what we are doing—their government had eight years to do this—they will be shaking their heads and asking, “How did that happen?”
Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re the minister responsible for occupational safety and health! You’d think you’d know! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn is talking about WorkCover. It is not the sort of detail that I regularly ring the agency and ask for. I have asked WorkCover to review the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act in Western Australia; that is going through a process and will be made public very soon. There are some great outcomes there. WorkCover has been focused on improving the compensation system for workers in Western Australia; they have been doing a good job. I am glad that the chief executive officer of WorkCover has been doing that. I am sure that when I ring her up, she will be able to answer the question—what was the question?—about what percentage of people have had OSH training. I do not know, but I hope for her sake that she is listening to this and that she will be able to do that. In relation to housing, what have we been doing? We have been delivering the biggest public housing investment program in the history of this state—2 700 public houses are being built. So, when I have my weekly meeting with the Director General of Housing, I do not ask, “Grahame, how are your stats going in relation to OSH?” I ask, “How many houses have you built this week, Grahame?” Maybe the priorities are wrong. Maybe they are. But I would rather be building houses, and I would rather be fixing the workers’ compensation system. When members opposite see what we are doing—their government had eight years to do this—they will be shaking their heads and asking, “How did that happen?”
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn is talking about WorkCover. It is not the sort of detail that I regularly ring the agency and ask for. I have asked WorkCover to review the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act in Western Australia; that is going through a process and will be made public very soon. There are some great outcomes there. WorkCover has been focused on improving the compensation system for workers in Western Australia; they have been doing a good job. I am glad that the chief executive officer of WorkCover has been doing that. I am sure that when I ring her up, she will be able to answer the question—what was the question?—about what percentage of people have had OSH training. I do not know, but I hope for her sake that she is listening to this and that she will be able to do that. In relation to housing, what have we been doing? We have been delivering the biggest public housing investment program in the history of this state—2 700 public houses are being built. So, when I have my weekly meeting with the Director General of Housing, I do not ask, “Grahame, how are your stats going in relation to OSH?” I ask, “How many houses have you built this week, Grahame?” Maybe the priorities are wrong. Maybe they are. But I would rather be building houses, and I would rather be fixing the workers’ compensation system. When members opposite see what we are doing—their government had eight years to do this—they will be shaking their heads and asking, “How did that happen?”
In relation to housing, what have we been doing? We have been delivering the biggest public housing investment program in the history of this state—2 700 public houses are being built. So, when I have my weekly meeting with the Director General of Housing, I do not ask, “Grahame, how are your stats going in relation to OSH?” I ask, “How many houses have you built this week, Grahame?” Maybe the priorities are wrong. Maybe they are. But I would rather be building houses, and I would rather be fixing the workers’ compensation system. When members opposite see what we are doing—their government had eight years to do this—they will be shaking their heads and asking, “How did that happen?”
(1) Can the minister explain why only 18 per cent of managers at WorkCover are trained in occupational safety and health, and injury management responsibilities, while 95 per cent of managers at Lotterywest have completed occupational safety and health training? (2) Can the minister explain why, in contravention of a circular from the Public Sector Commissioner requiring agencies to undertake occupational safety and health training, the Department of Housing is unable to even identify how many of its staff have received occupational safety and health training? Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: (1)–(2) No, I cannot explain why such a small percentage of people at WorkCover have had training in occupational safety and health. I have been to WorkCover; I went there last year. It does a fantastic job, and I was warmly welcomed! I cannot explain why such a small percentage of people who work at WorkCover have received occupational safety and health training. Mr F.M. Logan : Of all agencies! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I can appreciate that it is probably pretty dangerous at WorkCover, but I cannot explain it—nor can I explain why that is the case at the Department of Housing. After question time today, I will ring Michelle Reynolds and ask her, and I will also ask Grahame Searle from the Department of Housing. With all due respect, this is not normally the sort of detail that comes across a ministerial desk. Funnily enough, I have not asked for a review of how many people have had occupational safety and health training in that department. I do not know. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re the minister responsible for occupational safety and health! You’d think you’d know! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn is talking about WorkCover. It is not the sort of detail that I regularly ring the agency and ask for. I have asked WorkCover to review the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act in Western Australia; that is going through a process and will be made public very soon. There are some great outcomes there. WorkCover has been focused on improving the compensation system for workers in Western Australia; they have been doing a good job. I am glad that the chief executive officer of WorkCover has been doing that. I am sure that when I ring her up, she will be able to answer the question—what was the question?—about what percentage of people have had OSH training. I do not know, but I hope for her sake that she is listening to this and that she will be able to do that. In relation to housing, what have we been doing? We have been delivering the biggest public housing investment program in the history of this state—2 700 public houses are being built. So, when I have my weekly meeting with the Director General of Housing, I do not ask, “Grahame, how are your stats going in relation to OSH?” I ask, “How many houses have you built this week, Grahame?” Maybe the priorities are wrong. Maybe they are. But I would rather be building houses, and I would rather be fixing the workers’ compensation system. When members opposite see what we are doing—their government had eight years to do this—they will be shaking their heads and asking, “How did that happen?”
(2) Can the minister explain why, in contravention of a circular from the Public Sector Commissioner requiring agencies to undertake occupational safety and health training, the Department of Housing is unable to even identify how many of its staff have received occupational safety and health training? Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: (1)–(2) No, I cannot explain why such a small percentage of people at WorkCover have had training in occupational safety and health. I have been to WorkCover; I went there last year. It does a fantastic job, and I was warmly welcomed! I cannot explain why such a small percentage of people who work at WorkCover have received occupational safety and health training. Mr F.M. Logan : Of all agencies! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I can appreciate that it is probably pretty dangerous at WorkCover, but I cannot explain it—nor can I explain why that is the case at the Department of Housing. After question time today, I will ring Michelle Reynolds and ask her, and I will also ask Grahame Searle from the Department of Housing. With all due respect, this is not normally the sort of detail that comes across a ministerial desk. Funnily enough, I have not asked for a review of how many people have had occupational safety and health training in that department. I do not know. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re the minister responsible for occupational safety and health! You’d think you’d know! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn is talking about WorkCover. It is not the sort of detail that I regularly ring the agency and ask for. I have asked WorkCover to review the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act in Western Australia; that is going through a process and will be made public very soon. There are some great outcomes there. WorkCover has been focused on improving the compensation system for workers in Western Australia; they have been doing a good job. I am glad that the chief executive officer of WorkCover has been doing that. I am sure that when I ring her up, she will be able to answer the question—what was the question?—about what percentage of people have had OSH training. I do not know, but I hope for her sake that she is listening to this and that she will be able to do that. In relation to housing, what have we been doing? We have been delivering the biggest public housing investment program in the history of this state—2 700 public houses are being built. So, when I have my weekly meeting with the Director General of Housing, I do not ask, “Grahame, how are your stats going in relation to OSH?” I ask, “How many houses have you built this week, Grahame?” Maybe the priorities are wrong. Maybe they are. But I would rather be building houses, and I would rather be fixing the workers’ compensation system. When members opposite see what we are doing—their government had eight years to do this—they will be shaking their heads and asking, “How did that happen?”
Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: (1)–(2) No, I cannot explain why such a small percentage of people at WorkCover have had training in occupational safety and health. I have been to WorkCover; I went there last year. It does a fantastic job, and I was warmly welcomed! I cannot explain why such a small percentage of people who work at WorkCover have received occupational safety and health training. Mr F.M. Logan : Of all agencies! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I can appreciate that it is probably pretty dangerous at WorkCover, but I cannot explain it—nor can I explain why that is the case at the Department of Housing. After question time today, I will ring Michelle Reynolds and ask her, and I will also ask Grahame Searle from the Department of Housing. With all due respect, this is not normally the sort of detail that comes across a ministerial desk. Funnily enough, I have not asked for a review of how many people have had occupational safety and health training in that department. I do not know. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re the minister responsible for occupational safety and health! You’d think you’d know! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn is talking about WorkCover. It is not the sort of detail that I regularly ring the agency and ask for. I have asked WorkCover to review the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act in Western Australia; that is going through a process and will be made public very soon. There are some great outcomes there. WorkCover has been focused on improving the compensation system for workers in Western Australia; they have been doing a good job. I am glad that the chief executive officer of WorkCover has been doing that. I am sure that when I ring her up, she will be able to answer the question—what was the question?—about what percentage of people have had OSH training. I do not know, but I hope for her sake that she is listening to this and that she will be able to do that. In relation to housing, what have we been doing? We have been delivering the biggest public housing investment program in the history of this state—2 700 public houses are being built. So, when I have my weekly meeting with the Director General of Housing, I do not ask, “Grahame, how are your stats going in relation to OSH?” I ask, “How many houses have you built this week, Grahame?” Maybe the priorities are wrong. Maybe they are. But I would rather be building houses, and I would rather be fixing the workers’ compensation system. When members opposite see what we are doing—their government had eight years to do this—they will be shaking their heads and asking, “How did that happen?”
(1)–(2) No, I cannot explain why such a small percentage of people at WorkCover have had training in occupational safety and health. I have been to WorkCover; I went there last year. It does a fantastic job, and I was warmly welcomed! I cannot explain why such a small percentage of people who work at WorkCover have received occupational safety and health training. Mr F.M. Logan : Of all agencies! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I can appreciate that it is probably pretty dangerous at WorkCover, but I cannot explain it—nor can I explain why that is the case at the Department of Housing. After question time today, I will ring Michelle Reynolds and ask her, and I will also ask Grahame Searle from the Department of Housing. With all due respect, this is not normally the sort of detail that comes across a ministerial desk. Funnily enough, I have not asked for a review of how many people have had occupational safety and health training in that department. I do not know. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re the minister responsible for occupational safety and health! You’d think you’d know! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn is talking about WorkCover. It is not the sort of detail that I regularly ring the agency and ask for. I have asked WorkCover to review the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act in Western Australia; that is going through a process and will be made public very soon. There are some great outcomes there. WorkCover has been focused on improving the compensation system for workers in Western Australia; they have been doing a good job. I am glad that the chief executive officer of WorkCover has been doing that. I am sure that when I ring her up, she will be able to answer the question—what was the question?—about what percentage of people have had OSH training. I do not know, but I hope for her sake that she is listening to this and that she will be able to do that. In relation to housing, what have we been doing? We have been delivering the biggest public housing investment program in the history of this state—2 700 public houses are being built. So, when I have my weekly meeting with the Director General of Housing, I do not ask, “Grahame, how are your stats going in relation to OSH?” I ask, “How many houses have you built this week, Grahame?” Maybe the priorities are wrong. Maybe they are. But I would rather be building houses, and I would rather be fixing the workers’ compensation system. When members opposite see what we are doing—their government had eight years to do this—they will be shaking their heads and asking, “How did that happen?”
Mr F.M. Logan : Of all agencies! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I can appreciate that it is probably pretty dangerous at WorkCover, but I cannot explain it—nor can I explain why that is the case at the Department of Housing. After question time today, I will ring Michelle Reynolds and ask her, and I will also ask Grahame Searle from the Department of Housing. With all due respect, this is not normally the sort of detail that comes across a ministerial desk. Funnily enough, I have not asked for a review of how many people have had occupational safety and health training in that department. I do not know. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re the minister responsible for occupational safety and health! You’d think you’d know! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn is talking about WorkCover. It is not the sort of detail that I regularly ring the agency and ask for. I have asked WorkCover to review the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act in Western Australia; that is going through a process and will be made public very soon. There are some great outcomes there. WorkCover has been focused on improving the compensation system for workers in Western Australia; they have been doing a good job. I am glad that the chief executive officer of WorkCover has been doing that. I am sure that when I ring her up, she will be able to answer the question—what was the question?—about what percentage of people have had OSH training. I do not know, but I hope for her sake that she is listening to this and that she will be able to do that. In relation to housing, what have we been doing? We have been delivering the biggest public housing investment program in the history of this state—2 700 public houses are being built. So, when I have my weekly meeting with the Director General of Housing, I do not ask, “Grahame, how are your stats going in relation to OSH?” I ask, “How many houses have you built this week, Grahame?” Maybe the priorities are wrong. Maybe they are. But I would rather be building houses, and I would rather be fixing the workers’ compensation system. When members opposite see what we are doing—their government had eight years to do this—they will be shaking their heads and asking, “How did that happen?”
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I can appreciate that it is probably pretty dangerous at WorkCover, but I cannot explain it—nor can I explain why that is the case at the Department of Housing. After question time today, I will ring Michelle Reynolds and ask her, and I will also ask Grahame Searle from the Department of Housing. With all due respect, this is not normally the sort of detail that comes across a ministerial desk. Funnily enough, I have not asked for a review of how many people have had occupational safety and health training in that department. I do not know. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re the minister responsible for occupational safety and health! You’d think you’d know! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn is talking about WorkCover. It is not the sort of detail that I regularly ring the agency and ask for. I have asked WorkCover to review the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act in Western Australia; that is going through a process and will be made public very soon. There are some great outcomes there. WorkCover has been focused on improving the compensation system for workers in Western Australia; they have been doing a good job. I am glad that the chief executive officer of WorkCover has been doing that. I am sure that when I ring her up, she will be able to answer the question—what was the question?—about what percentage of people have had OSH training. I do not know, but I hope for her sake that she is listening to this and that she will be able to do that. In relation to housing, what have we been doing? We have been delivering the biggest public housing investment program in the history of this state—2 700 public houses are being built. So, when I have my weekly meeting with the Director General of Housing, I do not ask, “Grahame, how are your stats going in relation to OSH?” I ask, “How many houses have you built this week, Grahame?” Maybe the priorities are wrong. Maybe they are. But I would rather be building houses, and I would rather be fixing the workers’ compensation system. When members opposite see what we are doing—their government had eight years to do this—they will be shaking their heads and asking, “How did that happen?”
Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re the minister responsible for occupational safety and health! You’d think you’d know! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn is talking about WorkCover. It is not the sort of detail that I regularly ring the agency and ask for. I have asked WorkCover to review the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act in Western Australia; that is going through a process and will be made public very soon. There are some great outcomes there. WorkCover has been focused on improving the compensation system for workers in Western Australia; they have been doing a good job. I am glad that the chief executive officer of WorkCover has been doing that. I am sure that when I ring her up, she will be able to answer the question—what was the question?—about what percentage of people have had OSH training. I do not know, but I hope for her sake that she is listening to this and that she will be able to do that. In relation to housing, what have we been doing? We have been delivering the biggest public housing investment program in the history of this state—2 700 public houses are being built. So, when I have my weekly meeting with the Director General of Housing, I do not ask, “Grahame, how are your stats going in relation to OSH?” I ask, “How many houses have you built this week, Grahame?” Maybe the priorities are wrong. Maybe they are. But I would rather be building houses, and I would rather be fixing the workers’ compensation system. When members opposite see what we are doing—their government had eight years to do this—they will be shaking their heads and asking, “How did that happen?”
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn is talking about WorkCover. It is not the sort of detail that I regularly ring the agency and ask for. I have asked WorkCover to review the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act in Western Australia; that is going through a process and will be made public very soon. There are some great outcomes there. WorkCover has been focused on improving the compensation system for workers in Western Australia; they have been doing a good job. I am glad that the chief executive officer of WorkCover has been doing that. I am sure that when I ring her up, she will be able to answer the question—what was the question?—about what percentage of people have had OSH training. I do not know, but I hope for her sake that she is listening to this and that she will be able to do that. In relation to housing, what have we been doing? We have been delivering the biggest public housing investment program in the history of this state—2 700 public houses are being built. So, when I have my weekly meeting with the Director General of Housing, I do not ask, “Grahame, how are your stats going in relation to OSH?” I ask, “How many houses have you built this week, Grahame?” Maybe the priorities are wrong. Maybe they are. But I would rather be building houses, and I would rather be fixing the workers’ compensation system. When members opposite see what we are doing—their government had eight years to do this—they will be shaking their heads and asking, “How did that happen?”
In relation to housing, what have we been doing? We have been delivering the biggest public housing investment program in the history of this state—2 700 public houses are being built. So, when I have my weekly meeting with the Director General of Housing, I do not ask, “Grahame, how are your stats going in relation to OSH?” I ask, “How many houses have you built this week, Grahame?” Maybe the priorities are wrong. Maybe they are. But I would rather be building houses, and I would rather be fixing the workers’ compensation system. When members opposite see what we are doing—their government had eight years to do this—they will be shaking their heads and asking, “How did that happen?”
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.