Independent Review to ensure Queensland’s hospital staff are safe at work

• The Miles Labor Government has announced a review into sexual assault policies and procedures to ensure Queensland Health remains a safe, model employer.
• The review will be independently led by Elizabeth Broderick AO, the former Sex Discrimination Commissioner.
• This review will further protect frontline health workers and will complement a range of other work underway to ensure the safety and wellbeing of employees. 

The Queensland Government has today announced a comprehensive review into the safety and wellbeing of frontline staff in Queensland’s hospitals.  

Led by Australia’s longest-serving Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick AO, and her team, the review will prioritise the wellbeing of Queensland Health frontline workers.

The review will consider the policies and procedures, and their application, in Queensland Health and Hospital and Health Services to ensure they are fit for purpose.

It is the latest step towards ensuring the safety of Queensland Health employees.

The review will complement other work that has been commenced or completed to ensure Queensland Health is a model employer.

This includes ongoing work to educate staff on the government-wide preventing and responding to workplace sexual harassment directive, and how to comply with the Positive Duty requirements under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth).

The Director-General of Queensland Health also released an updated health, Safety and Wellbeing policy last month, as well as the Queensland Health Workforce Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework in October last year that aims to prevent issues including sexual harassment.  

The independent review will be the next logical step in ensuring we foster safer, more supportive workplaces for Queensland Health’s frontline workforce.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman:

“There is no place for sexual harassment or sexual assault in our communities, our workplaces, and especially in our hospitals.

“We want all Queenslanders to feel safe in their workplace and supported appropriately when reporting harassment.

“That’s why we’re launching a thorough and transparent examination into the sexual safety of our frontline health workforce, to ensure we have the safest workforce possible.

“Elizabeth Broderick AO and her team are well placed to undertake this vitally important body of work, and I am so pleased that she will be leading this review.

“The review serves as a testament to our steadfast dedication to making sure our workplaces are not only physically secure, but also fosters the mental and emotional wellbeing of our valued workforce.

“I look forward to hearing the recommendations from Ms Broderick’s review which will assist us in providing a safe and supportive workplace for all.”

ENDS