Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee, , 6:06:47 to 6:10:13
Examination of reform work in Victoria, including the weaponisation of WHS matters and legal representation policies for former officials.
Topics: Workplace relations, Public safety, Royal commissions
Speakers: Murray Furlong, Senator Maria Kovacic, Senator Marielle Smith
Thank you. And just quickly, if you're able to, at the last estimates, you told the committee in a letter that you sent Mr. Crosby that you asked him to focus on reform work in Victoria because a significant amount of work still needed to be done in that branch. And I note the things that you've just commented on that I've just asked you about. But are you able to point to anything specifically that has changed or has been improved in the Victorian branch since that letter? I can neglect progress recorded anywhere, and if so, are you able to table that for us?
I can. There's a number of things. I neglected to respond to your question about the weaponisation of WHS matters. I received correspondence communications from employer interests in the industry and on receiving that information, I wrote to Houser, and that's a health um work safety agencies and with information and I asked them that group, so that's made up of the CEOs of the regulators across the country, including the Commonwealth Regulator to meet with these senior, uh very senior, the the most senior leaders of the employer interest to discuss elements of weaponisation in WHS. I've also discussed this in quite a significant detail with Mr. Crosby as well.
Thank you.
And in terms of Victoria, there's this information in the biannual report that was recently tabled uh in Parliament. In addition to that, I'm aware of operational activities that are underway, investigations and other um actions that are underway in in Victoria that I do not want to sort of disclose too much information because I may disturb the operation.
And the um and it's just read the report, but I was just curious as to whether there was anything more specific than what was contained.
And there is the report. Well, there's there is in terms of the there's a memorandum that's been issued by the administrator to staff, former staff, former officers, and other relevant persons from the VicTAS branch in relation to the Victorian Royal Commission.
Are you able to table that for us?
I can. I can table it for you. But it sets out very clearly who the union will assist with and assist through uh if they're called to to give evidence and who they will not assist. And category one people who they will not provide representation for, and it's outlined in this document. Former senior office holders who exercise substantial leadership responsibility, including persons occupying positions such as divisional branch secretary, assistant secretary, president, vice president, other positions involved substantial governance and industrial leadership responsibilities, and there is a presumption against representation. Um in relation to that, the there is there's going to be presumption against providing representation where there is credible information to the administrator that a person is engaged in misconduct for. Or enabled misconduct or obstructed reform efforts of the administration. That relates to officials in Victoria.
Thank you.
And other people associate with the Union.
I'll come back.
Thank you, Senator Payman.