WORKPLACE SAFETY

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (14:53): My question is to the Minister for Industrial Relations. Can the minister provide the house with details of the workplace safety television campaign 'Homecomings'?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:54): I thank the honourable member for his very important question and note the many years the honourable member has served working people as a union official. As part of our ongoing efforts to keep South Australian workplaces safe and productive, the government is currently conducting a television advertising campaign called 'Homecomings'. This television campaign highlights the impact that workplace harm can have on families. The advertisement focuses on that dreaded moment a family faces when a loved one fails to come home because of an incident at their workplace.

'Homecomings' is designed to remind us that the most important reason for workplace safety is not work at all but rather those we leave behind each day when we head off to work. These incidents of harm, both emotionally and financially, affect family, friends and other loved ones, often for a lifetime.

The 'Homecomings' campaign is designed to show what is at stake for South Australians if workplace safety standards are not maintained. It tells a compelling human story of a situation no worker would ever want their family to go through. 'Homecomings' originated in Victoria, but it has been used with great success in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.

This government is doing its part for workplace safety by establishing a strong regulatory foundation and framework, through new and improved laws and the compliance efforts of the regulator, SafeWork SA. However, the appropriate level of safety is ultimately determined by decisions made every day at tens of thousands of workplaces where hazardous tasks are performed.

What we expect from 'Homecomings' is a higher level of awareness of the consequences of letting safety standards slip and, through that awareness, we encourage that safety be factored into every workplace task before it begins, not after the event, when often it is too late.