SAFE WORK AWARDS

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:54): I seek leave to make a long explanation before asking the Minister for Industrial Relations a question about Safe Work Awards.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Recently I had the pleasure of attending the Safe Work Awards with a number of my colleagues in this house, including you, Mr President, and the Hons Mr Gazzola, Mr Finnigan and Mr Darley, and the Hon. Mr Lucas was sitting there by himself. It was a real pleasure to catch up with many of our comrades from the trade union movement—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: It was the last thing on their mind—not even on their mind. We also caught up with many employers we had worked with over many years on various committees. It was a great pleasure to watch the awards and see how employers and employees work together to make their workplaces safe. I recall the very enthusiastic applause for the honourable minister as he went up to the stage to hand out these awards. What I would like the minister to do is share with this chamber the details of the annual Safe Work Awards that were presented there.

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister Assisting the Premier in Public Sector Management) (14:55): Yes, there were a number of members there. I think the Hon. Mr Darley was there, if I recall, as well as yourself and Mr Lucas. Through the efforts of SafeWork SA, the government remains strongly committed to ensuring that South Australian workers come home safely from work.

That is why it is important to highlight and reward the efforts of those employers and individuals who lead by example in demonstrating their commitment to workplace safety. Indeed, I think it is important to have an event such as the Safe Work Awards, which was held on Friday 29 October, to publicly recognise those employers and individuals who have done just that. As members would be aware, our state's major occupational health and safety event, Safe Work Week 2010, concluded with the annual South Australian Safe Work Awards, which also corresponded with the national Safe Work Week.

The Safe Work Awards highlight examples of commitment and innovation to workplace safety and honour those who have made the most significant contribution to improving occupational health and safety in the state. A panel of judges, comprised of senior representatives from SafeWork SA, Business SA, WorkCover SA and SA Unions, worked together to assess all the entries. There were some outstanding entries this year; however, it was the Health Safety and Environment (HSE) Australia's ambient asbestos fibres testing system that won the Best Solution to an Identified Workplace Health and Safety Issue Award.

The high standard of entries also made it difficult for this year's judges, resulting in a tie between automotive interior manufacturer, Futuris, and OneSteel contractor, Harsco Metals, for the Private Sector Employer of the Year Award. While both employers operate in two different industries, both were recognised for their proactive efforts towards educating and protecting their workers.

This government is also leading by example on workplace safety with two of our agencies—the Courts Administration Authority and Events South Australia—picking up three awards in total. Events South Australia won the award for Best Public Events Safety for the 2010 Santos Tour Down Under. The Courts Administration Authority won two awards—one award for the redesign of the magistrates' and clerks' work area and another for its health and safety management system.

Three Augusta Zadow scholarships totalling $20,000 were also awarded to encourage and support initiatives made by, or for the benefit of, women to improve occupational health and safety outcomes. The winners of four categories will automatically become finalists in the National Safe Work Australia Awards ceremony, which will be held in April 2011. If I can remind the council that South Australia has a proud history of achievement at the national level, having won three out of six awards in Canberra this year.

So, on behalf of the members who attended, I wish all the finalists every success at the national awards next year. There is a full list of winners of the 2010 Safe Work Awards on the SafeWork SA website. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the 2010 Safe Work Awards winners and entrants for their outstanding contribution to workplace safety. Their efforts and motivation are an example to the entire South Australian community, and we are well on our way to creating a culture of safety.