The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA and its member companies reaffirm their unwavering commitment to eliminate all instances of sexual harassment and assault at operations around the State. and ensure workplaces are safe and inclusive for all employees.
CME Chief Executive Paul Everingham said behaviour reported in the media over the past 18 months – including Sunday’s episode of 60 Minutes – and detailed in the ongoing Parliamentary Inquiry into sexual harassment against women in the FIFO mining industry was extremely concerning and totally unacceptable.
“Any one instance of this behaviour is one too many. The health and safety of our workforce must always be the No. 1 priority for WA’s mining and resources sector” Mr Everingham said.
“I can’t speak to specific allegations and incidents that have emerged but what I can say is the types of behaviour that have been reported have no place in the workplace or, indeed, in society.
“We apologise to anyone who has experienced this type of behaviour. We are grateful for the courage of the people who have come forward to report it, and we reinforce our commitment to creating safe environments in which people can feel comfortable making such reports – particularly given there are clearly people who have not felt this way in the past.
“I can promise that each and every CME member company is absolutely dedicated to eliminating unacceptable behaviour and fostering safe and inclusive environments for all of the WA mining and resources sector’s 150,000-plus employees.”
Mr Everingham said CME and its member companies were committed to continuing to participate fully in the Parliamentary Inquiry and taking on board recommendations that may arise from it.
In parallel, a Safe and Respectful Behaviours Working Group consisting of representatives from more than 50 CME member companies continues to review current practices at WA operations and target best-practice improvements.
“We have said from the outset of the Inquiry that any recommendations that are practical and which will deliver positive outcomes are ones that we would act upon,” Mr Everingham said.
“We will continue to engage with the Inquiry as it prepares to publish its findings over the next few months.
“CME’s Safe And Respectful Behaviours Working Group has an extremely important role to play in improving what our sector does each and every day, including operationalising the Minerals Council of Australia’s code for eliminating sexual harassment and establishing an industry-wide standard for alcohol consumption in work-adjacent settings.
“Over the past 18 months, CME and its member companies have been consistent in saying that we need to do better and that resolve has only strengthened.”
