13 December 2018
Member for Roe Peter Rundle has called on the new Minister responsible for ports to fix the mess created by the inaction of her predecessor.
Premier Mark McGowan announced today that Minister for Regional Development Alannah MacTiernan would take over responsibility of ports from Transport Minister Rita Saffioti.
Mr Rundle said it was evident the Premier thought Minister Saffioti had failed in her responsibilities by refusing to act on the numerous concerns regarding poor workplace culture within Southern Ports.
“Minister Saffioti had responsibility for some of our state’s biggest assets, and her legacy is now one of total mess and dysfunction,” Mr Rundle said.
“Southern Ports has been in a state of disarray, with severe cases of bullying and harassment being reported and WorkSafe issuing several improvement notices.”
“Minister Saffioti failed to support the workers in Southern Ports and improve their situation, and I call on Minister MacTiernan to step in and actually start listening to the current and past employees who are in distress.”
Member for the Agricultural Region Colin de Grussa echoed Mr Rundle’s call, but said he was concerned there would continue to be no action from the McGowan Government.
“Minister MacTiernan has continued to demonstrate her complete disdain for the industries she is meant to represent and advocate for,” Mr de Grussa said.
“She has torn regional development to shreds and she has let down our farmers.
“I urge her to step up to the plate and show leadership with her new responsibilities, but I hold grave concerns that nothing will change.”