Parliamentary Committees

Parliamentary Committee on Occupational Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation: Annual Report 2017-18

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins:

That the 2017-18 report of the committee be noted.

(Continued from 13 February 2019.)

The Hon. T.T. NGO (17:27): I rise to support the motion on the 2017-18 Annual Report of the Parliamentary Committee on Occupational Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation. Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the work of the committee of the Fifty-Third Parliament during the second session, namely, the former member for Ashford and presiding member of the committee, the Hon. Steph Key MP; the member for Hurtle Vale, Ms Nat Cook MP; the member for Schubert, the Hon. Stephan Knoll MP; the former member for Wright, the Hon. Jennifer Rankine MP; the Hon. Justin Hanson MLC; the Hon. John Dawkins MLC; and the Hon. John Darley MLC. I thank them for their tireless work during that session.

During the reporting period of that session, there were three reports tabled to both houses of parliament. There were also three reports that received responses from the relevant ministers, with one report going from the Treasurer to the committee. I commend the previous work of the committee.

The new committee consists of the member for Morphett, Mr Stephen Patterson MP, the current Presiding Member of the committee; the member for Davenport, Mr Steve Murray MP; the member for Taylor, Mr Jon Gee MP; the Hon. Tammy Franks MLC; the Hon. John Dawkins MLC; and myself. I hope to continue the good work of the previous committee.

We are currently undertaking a wideranging Inquiry into Workplace Fatigue and Bullying in South Australian Hospitals and Health Services. The committee has received 55 submissions so far. As such, the inquiry has been extended to the end of May to deal with the volume of submissions. I look forward to considering all the submissions and tabling the report.

The new committee has also considered a referral from the Legislative Council from November 2017 regarding SafeWork SA prosecutions into workplace fatalities, largely focusing on the death of Jorge Castillo-Riffo. At its last meeting, the previous committee proposed that the incoming committee be assisted by the Coroner's finding into Mr Castillo-Riffo's death. The current committee decided it should wait for the Coroner's finding before deciding what to do next. The current committee also noted that the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption was evaluating SafeWork SA activities and that this should be considered before proceeding with such an inquiry.

I also thank our parliamentary officer, Simon, and research officer, Eugene, and all previous staff members who worked tirelessly in terms of preparing the work for elected members. I commend the motion to the house.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (17:32): I thank the Hon. Tung Ngo for those words in noting the report. I know that current and past members of the committee are supportive of this motion, so I commend the motion to the council.

Motion carried.