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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-09-15 Daily Xml
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SAFEWORK SA

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (14:44): My question is to the Minister for Industrial Relations. Will the minister provide the chamber with details of the report by Mr Robin Stewart-Crompton, following his review into SafeWork SA's inspection practices?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:45): I thank the honourable member for his very appropriate question. I would like to acknowledge that it is the honourable member's first question, and I congratulate him.

A core Labor value is to protect the health and safety of all workers. Any workplace injury is unacceptable; any workplace death is a tragedy. It is a fundamental right of all South Australians to expect that their loved ones—whether it is a father, mother, husband, wife, son or daughter—return each day from work safe from harm. That is why the functions of SafeWork SA are of such importance to the community, and it is why the work undertaken by this agency needs to be of a very high standard.

State Coroner Mark Johns conducted an inquest into the death of Mr Daniel Madeley due to an accident at Diemould Tooling Services Pty Ltd in 2004 and made several recommendations regarding SafeWork SA. My heart goes out to not only the family of Mr Daniel Madeley but all families in South Australia who have lost a loved one simply in the act of going to work.

In light of the recommendations of the Coroner, the government initiated the review into SafeWork SA's inspection practices. The review was managed by the SafeWork SA Advisory Committee which is comprised of representatives from both employee and employer associations. The advisory committee established a steering group to coordinate the review. This process was completely independent of SafeWork SA.

This independent team engaged Mr Robin Stewart-Crompton to conduct a review consistent with the Coroner's recommendation. Mr Stewart-Crompton is a highly regarded occupational health and safety expert who has been involved in the field for many years. He was one of the authors of the National Review into Model Occupational Health and Safety Laws, which provided the foundation for the development of the nationally harmonised model work, health and safety laws which are currently implemented across Australia.

Generally, Mr Stewart-Crompton found that SafeWork SA is comparable in its operations, organisation and performance with most other Australian occupational health and safety regulators. In fact, Mr Stewart-Crompton pointed out that South Australia is one of only two states whose performance has improved sufficiently to meet the national target of reducing workplace injury rates. However, the report highlights key areas in SafeWork SA's inspection regime and preparation of prosecution briefs that need attention.

Some of the recommendations contained in the report include: SafeWork SA to collaborate with WorkCoverSA on a three-year data improvement plan; SafeWork SA to upgrade its internal data management system; SafeWork SA to prosecute lower-level offences rather than the Crown Solicitor's Office; SafeWork SA to upgrade a number of internal procedures, including those for compiling prosecution briefs; and SafeWork SA to collaborate with WorkCoverSA on programs to assist those bereaved after a workplace fatality.

I accept and welcome this sound advice from the independent reviewer. The recommendations to improve operations have also been embraced by SafeWork SA and the SafeWork SA Advisory Committee, and planning is well underway to deliver those recommendations. This review provides a long-term improvement plan for SafeWork SA, incorporating the very significant impact of national harmonisation of safety laws.

The SafeWork SA Advisory Committee will monitor progress with implementing the review recommendations, and this will be reported to the government on a regular basis. It is important that we grasp every opportunity to improve the effectiveness of SafeWork SA as the lead agency for ensuring standards of occupational health and safety.

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