❓ Hon. Kate Doust questions the Minister for Commerce regarding a WorkSafe investigation into worker safety on Barrow Island during Cyclone Olwyn. The Minister's response indicates the investigation is stalled due to lack of witness statements.
AnsweredQoN 426Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CHEVRON WORKERS — BARROW ISLAND
426. Hon KATE DOUST to the
Minister for Commerce:
I refer to the
minister's response to question without notice 232 regarding workers on
Barrow Island during the category 3 cyclone Olwyn last month.
(1) When did WorkSafe visit the site to investigate the complaints?
(2) How many WorkSafe investigators participated in the site visit?
(3) Where were the WorkSafe investigators based?
(4) Has the WorkSafe investigation been
completed; and, if not, when will the investigation be completed?
(5) If yes to (4) —
(a) what were the findings of the investigation; and
(b) will the minister table the
investigation report?
426. Hon KATE DOUST to the
Minister for Commerce:
I refer to the
minister's response to question without notice 232 regarding workers on
Barrow Island during the category 3 cyclone Olwyn last month.
(1) When did WorkSafe visit the site to investigate the complaints?
(2) How many WorkSafe investigators participated in the site visit?
(3) Where were the WorkSafe investigators based?
(4) Has the WorkSafe investigation been
completed; and, if not, when will the investigation be completed?
(5) If yes to (4) —
(a) what were the findings of the investigation; and
(b) will the minister table the
investigation report?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of this question.
(1) WorkSafe has made a number of inquiries
to identify witnesses who could provide information relevant to the matter.
These initial inquiries were made by telephone and email. A WorkSafe inspector
visited Barrow Island from 25 to 27 March 2015 and as part of that visit
collected information relevant to the matter.
(2) One investigator
participated.
(3) The WorkSafe
investigator is Perth based.
(4) No. In response to a letter from three
unions requesting an investigation into the matter, WorkSafe contacted one of
the unions on at least three occasions and advised that the names and contact
numbers of complaining witnesses would be required so that statements could be
taken. These details have not been forthcoming. In the absence of any witness
statements, the investigation cannot proceed.
(5) Not applicable.
honourable member for some notice of this question.
(1) WorkSafe has made a number of inquiries
to identify witnesses who could provide information relevant to the matter.
These initial inquiries were made by telephone and email. A WorkSafe inspector
visited Barrow Island from 25 to 27 March 2015 and as part of that visit
collected information relevant to the matter.
(2) One investigator
participated.
(3) The WorkSafe
investigator is Perth based.
(4) No. In response to a letter from three
unions requesting an investigation into the matter, WorkSafe contacted one of
the unions on at least three occasions and advised that the names and contact
numbers of complaining witnesses would be required so that statements could be
taken. These details have not been forthcoming. In the absence of any witness
statements, the investigation cannot proceed.
(5) Not applicable.
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