❓ A parliamentary question regarding safety concerns at the Norseman OKAY mine, specifically addressing the refusal of a DMP inspector to take a complaint from an AWU representative and the subsequent mine closure due to communication issues. The Minister confirms the inspector acted according to procedure and the mine was closed due to safety regulations.
AnsweredQoN 2432Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to a conversation between Mr Alan Holmes District Inspector of the Department of Minerals and Petroleum (DMP), and Mr Shaun Maddock Goldfields organiser of the Australian Workers Union (AWU), delegated to the mining industry, which occurred on Thursday 13 May 2010, at approximately 2.08pm in which Mr Maddock attempted to raise serious safety concerns about the Norseman OKAY mine. I refer the Minister to my adjournment of 19 May 2010 pertaining to a list of concerns raised by workers and concerns previously raised in questions on notice pertaining to the OKAY Norseman mine, and I ask -
(1) Did Mr Alan Holmes specifically state, that he was refusing to take a complaint from an Australian Workers Union representative, despite Mr Maddock raising serious safety concerns with Mr Holmes about the Norseman OKAY mine?
(2) If no to (1), what did Mr Holmes specifically state in relation to this matter?
(3) If yes to (1), why did Mr Holmes refuse to take a complaint from an Australian Workers Union representative?
(4) Has Mr Jim Boucaut Regional Mining Engineer of the Kalgoorlie Inspectorate, instructed or indicated to any or all of his inspectors, that they are not to take complaints from the Australian Workers Union, other Unions, members of the public or Members of Parliamentarians on behalf of their constituents?
(5) If yes to (4), why
(6) If no to (4), on what authority did Mr Alan Holmes act by stating he was refusing to take a complaint from an Australian Workers Union representative?
(7) Has the Minister or any of his staff instructed or indicated to any DMP staff, that they are not to take complaints from the Australian Workers Union, other Unions, members of the public or Members of Parliamentarians on behalf of their constituents?
(8) If yes to (7), what was the rationale for the Minister doing this?
(9) Whilst no action is being taken in respect of the safety complaints raised by Mr Shaun Maddock, are these safety concerns recorded with the Department for future reference?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) Does the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
, preclude a constituent raising a safety issue with his or her member of parliament?
(12) Is it permissible under clause 11(4) of the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
, for a person/constituent who contravenes subsection (1), (2) or (3) of clause 11, for fear of persecution, to report dangerous situations or occurrences to his or her member of parliament?
(13) Is it correct that as a result of concerns raised by myself with respect to question on notice No. 2319, regarding communications or telephones, that the OKAY mine at Norseman was closed by the mines inspector J Watson, for a period on Wednesday 12 May whilst underground communications were re-established?
(14) What were the reasons for the closure of the OKAY mine on Wednesday 12 May?
(15) Will the Minister table the Mines inspectors report into the closure of the OK mine on Wednesday 12 May?
(1) Did Mr Alan Holmes specifically state, that he was refusing to take a complaint from an Australian Workers Union representative, despite Mr Maddock raising serious safety concerns with Mr Holmes about the Norseman OKAY mine?
(2) If no to (1), what did Mr Holmes specifically state in relation to this matter?
(3) If yes to (1), why did Mr Holmes refuse to take a complaint from an Australian Workers Union representative?
(4) Has Mr Jim Boucaut Regional Mining Engineer of the Kalgoorlie Inspectorate, instructed or indicated to any or all of his inspectors, that they are not to take complaints from the Australian Workers Union, other Unions, members of the public or Members of Parliamentarians on behalf of their constituents?
(5) If yes to (4), why
(6) If no to (4), on what authority did Mr Alan Holmes act by stating he was refusing to take a complaint from an Australian Workers Union representative?
(7) Has the Minister or any of his staff instructed or indicated to any DMP staff, that they are not to take complaints from the Australian Workers Union, other Unions, members of the public or Members of Parliamentarians on behalf of their constituents?
(8) If yes to (7), what was the rationale for the Minister doing this?
(9) Whilst no action is being taken in respect of the safety complaints raised by Mr Shaun Maddock, are these safety concerns recorded with the Department for future reference?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) Does the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
, preclude a constituent raising a safety issue with his or her member of parliament?
(12) Is it permissible under clause 11(4) of the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
, for a person/constituent who contravenes subsection (1), (2) or (3) of clause 11, for fear of persecution, to report dangerous situations or occurrences to his or her member of parliament?
(13) Is it correct that as a result of concerns raised by myself with respect to question on notice No. 2319, regarding communications or telephones, that the OKAY mine at Norseman was closed by the mines inspector J Watson, for a period on Wednesday 12 May whilst underground communications were re-established?
(14) What were the reasons for the closure of the OKAY mine on Wednesday 12 May?
(15) Will the Minister table the Mines inspectors report into the closure of the OK mine on Wednesday 12 May?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
24 June 2010
Responded by
Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
35 days
Yes. Mr Maddock, who is not an employee at a mine, was advised by Mr Holmes as to the correct procedure for the resolution of occupational health and safety issues as prescribed under Section 70 of the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994.
Not applicable
Refer to response to question (1).
No
Not applicable
Mr Holmes is appointed under the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
as a District Inspector of Mines.
No
Not applicable
Yes, the issues have been recorded and actions have been taken.
Not applicable
No
Section 11 of the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
prescribes the duty of persons working at a mine to report dangerous situations or occurrences. It is silent on the issue of an individual's fear of persecution or the reporting of such issues to a Member of Parliament.
Yes
There was no functional communications system between the surface and underground workings in contravention of Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 regulation 10.15
Yes. The Prohibition Notice is attached [see tabled paper]
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994.
Not applicable
Refer to response to question (1).
No
Not applicable
Mr Holmes is appointed under the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
as a District Inspector of Mines.
No
Not applicable
Yes, the issues have been recorded and actions have been taken.
Not applicable
No
Section 11 of the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
prescribes the duty of persons working at a mine to report dangerous situations or occurrences. It is silent on the issue of an individual's fear of persecution or the reporting of such issues to a Member of Parliament.
Yes
There was no functional communications system between the surface and underground workings in contravention of Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 regulation 10.15
Yes. The Prohibition Notice is attached [see tabled paper]
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