It’s now the best part of two months since I penned one of these columns – and it’s fair to say that quite a bit has transpired in that time.
Notably, we have significant community spread of COVID-19 in the WA community for the first time since the early months of the pandemic. Over the past fortnight, this spread has extended to several mine sites and resources facilities around WA, an eventuality we’d rather didn’t happen but which was inevitable as we move towards a new phase of living with the virus.
Over the past two years, the WA mining and resources sector has shown that its planning and protocols for dealing with COVID-19 are second to none. We’ve prepared painstakingly for the arrival of COVID-19 on site, including adjustments around the omicron variant, and I’m very confident that what we’ve put in place will stand up and deliver the best possible health outcomes for our workforce and the communities in which we operate.
Our sector was encouraged last week by the WA Government’s announcement of new definitions and protocols for close contacts and isolation, along with the designation of our workforce as “essential workers” once higher caseloads kick in. The position of CME and its member companies remains that these settings should be introduced sooner rather than later – as illustrated by complexities around cases currently being managed on site – and we will continue to discuss this with the WA Government, the Chief Health Officer, WA Health and other agencies.
Instances of omicron in the WA community and the expectation that cases will continue to rise have, unfortunately, resulted in the postponement of the Women In Resources Awards from its original date of April 1. WIRA is one of my favourite events each year, so this saddens me. But given the uncertainty around COVID-19 in the community and how it relates to large-scale gatherings, it was the only choice we had.
By contrast, I was absolutely delighted earlier in January to be able to announce our 18 WIRA finalists. The 14 women and one man who make up our individual finalists all have inspirational and exceptional stories to tell, while the three finalists in the outstanding company initiative category showcase our sector’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and providing career opportunities.
I’m very excited at the prospect of the WIRA winners being celebrated in style when it’s an appropriate time to do so.
The next few months will be very busy at CME, with WA’s new Aboriginal Heritage Act progressing to the implementation of the legislation, co-design of the regulations and supporting documents, and transition to a new regime; the Parliamentary Inquiry Into Sexual Harassment Against Women In The FIFO Mining Industry entering its final stages; State and Federal Budgets on the horizon, as well as a Federal Election; and the challenges of dealing with COVID-19 as community transmission becomes even greater. It also seems likely there will be a decision on the WA border situation.
We had one relatively low-profile but highly impactful policy win earlier this week, with the announcement of the appointment of a second Perth Mining Warden. This is an outcome CME has been advocating for over several years and will help ensure important mining activities can be progressed efficiently, without undue judicial delay.
I look forward to catching up and working with many of you during the weeks and months ahead. I also wish everyone the best of health during these times – there is an element of uncertainty to this new phase in dealing with COVID in WA but I’m confident CME member companies are among the best equipped to provide the support their people need.
