758. Hon ALISON XAMON to the minister representing the Minister for Commerce and Industrial Relations:
I refer to the proposed establishment of an online portal through which members of the public can lodge anonymous complaints about unsafe work practices.
(1) Is the minister supportive of this proposal?
(2) If yes to (1), has any work begun on developing such a portal?
(3) If no to (1), why not?
Hon ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member for the question. The Minister for Commerce and Industrial Relations has provided the following information.
(1)–(2) The minister supports members of the public lodging anonymous complaints about unsafe work practices to WorkSafe. Currently, any member of the public can lodge anonymous complaints about unsafe work practices to WorkSafe by telephone or in writing. Reports can also be made online 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
As advised by the WorkSafe Western Australia Commissioner in a media release issued on 5 September 2018, when lodging a complaint online, it is necessary to provide contact details—first name and email address or phone number—which will not be divulged to the employer, so that inspectors can make contact to obtain further information. WorkSafe will keep the member of the public’s details confidential and will not disclose details without their agreement. If members of the public have concerns about these services, they can contact the WorkSafe Western Australia Commissioner, who would be pleased to receive the details of these concerns.
(3) Not applicable.