The McGowan Government is working to eliminate sexual violence and drive cultural change in Western Australia’s (WA) mining sector through its Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) program.
The program, launched in 2021, has spearheaded various efforts, including the launch of a Landmark Study Worker Survey by The Centre for Transformative Work Design as part of the Future of Work Institute at Curtin University.
The survey seeks to gain a better understanding of worker experiences in WA’s mining industry and potentially improve employee mental health and well-being.
Other MARS Program initiatives will be launched in the coming months to support the McGowan Government’s response to the 2022 WA Parliamentary Inquiry into sexual harassment against women in the fly-in, fly-out mining industry.
Initiatives on track include a leadership summit that aims to educate and empower leaders to take meaningful action on safe and respectful workplaces and a Psychosocial Risk Management Program (PRMP) by FIFO Focus in partnership with the Australian Institute of Health & Safety.
MARS will also support the creation of a program run by the Mining and Energy Union to develop sexual harassment awareness training for mine workers.
Additionally, the program paved the way for the Responding to, Managing and Investigating Sexual Harassment course, also delivered by FIFO Focus and their consortium partners.
Commenting on the matter, Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston said the program will support the creation of efforts that counter inappropriate workplace behaviour.
“The McGowan Government continues to work with industry and the community to eliminate harassment, discrimination and bullying in the workplace,” Minister Johnston added.
Meanwhile, Women’s Interests Minister Sue Ellery said the initiatives show the government’s commitment to ensuring that the WA resources sector provides a friendly, accommodating and empowering workplace for women.
“We need to encourage more women to join the mining industry by treating them with respect, ensuring their safety and providing support,” Minister Ellery noted.
