Question Without Notice No. 19 asked in the Legislative Council on 13 March 2018 by Hon Colin De Grussa
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
SOUTHERN PORTS AUTHORITY — BULLYING ALLEGATIONS
19. Hon COLIN de GRUSSA to the minister representing the Minister for Transport:
I refer to statements made by Mr Peter Watson, MLA, on ABC Great Southern on 22 February 2018 and further comments from Hon Laurie Graham, MLC, on ABC Goldfields–Esperance on 28 February 2018 with regard to claims of harassment and bullying at Southern Ports Authority in Esperance and Albany.
(1) When was the minister or her office first made aware of issues of bullying and harassment at these ports?
(2) Will the minister commit to holding a public inquiry into these matters?
(3) When will the minister visit Esperance and Albany to discuss these matters with staff of Southern Ports Authority?
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) A broad range of concerns concerning Southern Ports Authority arising from the 2014 amalgamation were raised with the minister's office from June 2017, including contentions of increased operational risks relating to marine operations, port security, organisational structure, finances and management, as well as cost increases. In August 2017, the minister established a post-implementation review of the Southern Ports Authority, chaired by Hon Laurie Graham, MLC, to report on the outcomes of the 2014 amalgamation of the Albany, Bunbury and Esperance port authorities. Examination of grievance and complaint processes and systems implemented by the port authority were within the scope of the review, but individual complaints or grievances that have been or were being addressed by the port authority were not within scope, except where warranted as case studies to illustrate a specific matter. The review panel found that issues exist in the organisational culture of Southern Ports Authority, but that they are isolated rather than systemic and that the authority should continue to implement its cultural change action plan.
(2)–(3) The minister has visited the port of Albany. A number of investigations have been undertaken or are underway. The minister notes that independent WorkSafe investigations have been initiated into some claims, and will await the outcome of those investigations with interest. The challenge for Southern Ports' board now is to work with all employees to create a better future.