1184. Hon Alison Xamon to the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to the Education and Health Standing Committee report, The Impact of FIFO work practices on mental health, and I ask:
(a) is the Mental Health Commission funding or undertaking any research into the mental health impacts of FIFO as recommended by the committee;
(b) if yes to (a), will the Minister please provide information on any research currently being funded or undertaken, including:
(i) who is conducting the research;
(ii) the sample size;
(iii) the number of companies involved;
(iv) whether workers’ families are involved;
(v) the cost; and
(vi) when it is anticipated the research will be concluded; and
(c) if no to (a), why not?
Hon Alanna Clohesy replied:
I am advised that:
(a) Yes.
(b) (i) The University of Western Australia (UWA) Centre for Transformative Work Design.
(ii) UWA researchers included a targeted sample size of 1,500 survey responses in the initial research proposal. This target has since been exceeded.
(iii) The project is guided by a research reference group which includes both employer and employee representatives. Mental health and alcohol and other drug peak bodies are also represented.
(iv) The research reference group includes a FIFO family member.
(v) The total cost is $588,711.21.
(vi) The research is scheduled to be completed at the end of 2018.
(c) Not applicable.