❓ Mr Millman asks the Premier how the government's investment in WorkSafe inspectors will improve work safety investigations, increase workplace investigations, and enhance compliance. The Premier details increased funding and inspector numbers, contrasting it with the previous government's cuts.
AnsweredQoN 674Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WORKSAFE —
INSPECTORS
674. Mr S.A. MILLMAN to the Premier:
Before
I ask my question, I acknowledge in the gallery today former students of the
member for Southern River and current councillors of Southern River
College. On behalf of my good friend the member for Swan Hills, I also
acknowledge in the gallery today students and staff from Holy Cross College.
Ms J.J. Shaw : Hear, hear!
Mr S.A. MILLMAN : Thank you.
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's commitment to protecting Western Australian workers at
work and ensuring every worker gets home safe. Can the Premier advise the house
how this government's investment in new WorkSafe inspectors will
provide better support for work safety investigations, boost the number of
workplace investigations and improve compliance on worksites?
INSPECTORS
674. Mr S.A. MILLMAN to the Premier:
Before
I ask my question, I acknowledge in the gallery today former students of the
member for Southern River and current councillors of Southern River
College. On behalf of my good friend the member for Swan Hills, I also
acknowledge in the gallery today students and staff from Holy Cross College.
Ms J.J. Shaw : Hear, hear!
Mr S.A. MILLMAN : Thank you.
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's commitment to protecting Western Australian workers at
work and ensuring every worker gets home safe. Can the Premier advise the house
how this government's investment in new WorkSafe inspectors will
provide better support for work safety investigations, boost the number of
workplace investigations and improve compliance on worksites?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Mount Lawley
for the question. Obviously, he has done a lot of work in this area over his
professional life.
For
the last 120 years, the Western Australian branch of the Australian Labor Party
has fought to ensure that workers in our community have the safest
environment possible in which to work and that they are able to go home safely
at the end of each and every day of work. That is a very important principle
that we hold. Over the term of the last government, WorkSafe was starved of
funding. Despite racking up enormous debt, the last Liberal–National
government managed to cut funding for WorkSafe, and the number of WorkSafe
inspectors was cut by 10. That means that 10 fewer WorkSafe inspectors are
inspecting workplaces across the state. As we know, we live in a state with a lot of heavy industry, a lot of
mine sites and major industrial sites, so it is very sad that the last
government did that. In March this year, we announced that we would put
in place an additional six WorkSafe inspectors. I announced on Saturday that we
would employ an additional 21 WorkSafe inspectors on top of that six. That
means that we have put in place at least a 20 per cent increase in WorkSafe
inspectors in Western Australia. This is the biggest boost to WorkSafe
inspectors in living memory, and ensures that the average number of WorkSafe
inspectors will be in line with the national average. It means that more people
will be out there inspecting to ensure that complaints are dealt with, that
there is adherence to our workplace safety laws, and provide more education and
workplace awareness and support across Western Australia. Obviously, they will
be able to keep an eye on some of those projects that have had some publicity,
in particular the Forrestfield–Airport Link. I hate hearing stories of
people dying in the workplace. On the weekend I met four families who have lost
loved ones—young sons—in the workplace. They are tragic stories
that have happened to those families. I would like to thank them for lobbying
and advocating for this initiative that we are putting in place here today. The
investment in this is $12.9 million and it includes an extra 21 WorkSafe
inspectors, 16 vehicles and, obviously, we will promote a workplace safety
campaign around Western Australia to ensure that people come home safe.
for the question. Obviously, he has done a lot of work in this area over his
professional life.
For
the last 120 years, the Western Australian branch of the Australian Labor Party
has fought to ensure that workers in our community have the safest
environment possible in which to work and that they are able to go home safely
at the end of each and every day of work. That is a very important principle
that we hold. Over the term of the last government, WorkSafe was starved of
funding. Despite racking up enormous debt, the last Liberal–National
government managed to cut funding for WorkSafe, and the number of WorkSafe
inspectors was cut by 10. That means that 10 fewer WorkSafe inspectors are
inspecting workplaces across the state. As we know, we live in a state with a lot of heavy industry, a lot of
mine sites and major industrial sites, so it is very sad that the last
government did that. In March this year, we announced that we would put
in place an additional six WorkSafe inspectors. I announced on Saturday that we
would employ an additional 21 WorkSafe inspectors on top of that six. That
means that we have put in place at least a 20 per cent increase in WorkSafe
inspectors in Western Australia. This is the biggest boost to WorkSafe
inspectors in living memory, and ensures that the average number of WorkSafe
inspectors will be in line with the national average. It means that more people
will be out there inspecting to ensure that complaints are dealt with, that
there is adherence to our workplace safety laws, and provide more education and
workplace awareness and support across Western Australia. Obviously, they will
be able to keep an eye on some of those projects that have had some publicity,
in particular the Forrestfield–Airport Link. I hate hearing stories of
people dying in the workplace. On the weekend I met four families who have lost
loved ones—young sons—in the workplace. They are tragic stories
that have happened to those families. I would like to thank them for lobbying
and advocating for this initiative that we are putting in place here today. The
investment in this is $12.9 million and it includes an extra 21 WorkSafe
inspectors, 16 vehicles and, obviously, we will promote a workplace safety
campaign around Western Australia to ensure that people come home safe.
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