SafeWork SA

Ms WORTLEY (Torrens) (14:45): My question is to the Minister for Industrial Relations. Minister, how is the transformation of SafeWork SA improving safety in workplaces?

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Child Protection Reform, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for Consumer and Business Services, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (14:46): As it happens, I do have an answer. As members would be aware, in 2015 I announced details of a new operating model for SafeWork SA that essentially split SafeWork SA into two separate operational units—a regulator and an educator. This was following very strong feedback from employer and employee groups that they wanted to see stronger compliance and enforcement, as well as more help, so that people can meet their work health safety obligations and make workplaces safe.

It is very interesting in all this area to get identical feedback virtually from both employer groups and employee groups, where they are saying that it is very hard for somebody to be, metaphorically speaking, the black hat and the white hat at the same time. What they want to know is who they are talking to.

In any event, this model took effect in an administrative form from 1 July last year, and I am very pleased to inform the house that recent data shows that the restructured organisation is delivering very positive results. Very positive feedback has been received from many quarters. In just eight months, SafeWork SA has received over 500 requests for help from business. These requests have come across all types of industries especially high-risk industries, including construction, agriculture and manufacturing.

What is more pleasing is that an overwhelming majority of people who have used this service—over 98 per cent—have rated the service as very useful. Some of the customer feedback received has said that 'the information and friendly advice will be able to be put in place easily', that they have received 'outstanding advice' and that the advice was 'amazingly helpful in getting our business up to scratch'.

I encourage any business in need of help to contact SafeWork SA and to engage this free service. Can I add that industry organisations and industry groups would also be encouraged to see how they can work with SafeWork SA to use their connections with their own industry participants to develop programs to reach particular industry sectors.

I would like to take a moment at this stage to thank Marie Boland. In her role as executive director of SafeWork SA, which she held for the last couple of years, she has done an outstanding job and she was instrumental in leading the implementation of this restructure. It is fair to say that Marie is universally well regarded. All the people with whom she worked, whether they be employer groups or employee groups to whom I have spoken, have all had nothing but praise for her in terms of the way she has discharged her duties. She has made a tremendous contribution to South Australia.

She recently resigned from the position to take on other activities for her own personal reasons. I personally am very sad to see Marie go. She has done an outstanding job, and I wish her well in whatever she chooses to do in the future. Obviously, she leaves very large shoes to fill, and for the time being we have Mr Soulio acting as a pro tem acting executive director whilst the recruitment process is undertaken.