Page 962 - Week 03 - Thursday, 21 March 2019
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Of great concern was that 12% of staff indicated they had been subjected to physical harm, sexual harassment or abuse at work. Of these staff, 46% indicated it was by someone they worked with and 37% was by a member of the public.
What are the consequences for people found to have perpetrated these serious infringements?
MS FITZHARRIS: If they are found to have perpetrated this sort of behaviour, they should be reported to the relevant authorities including, of course, to the police and those matters will be followed up.
MISS C BURCH: How many former ACT Health employees are no longer employed by the ACT public service as a result of disciplinary action relating to physical harm, sexual harassment or abuse at work?
MS FITZHARRIS: I will take that question on notice.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, what action is taken against members of the public who assault, sexually harass or abuse public health workers?
MS FITZHARRIS: Again I refer to my previous answer: they should be referred to the relevant authorities, including police. I am aware of some instances where that has occurred. What was also instituted very soon after the new CEO of Canberra Health Services started was the establishment of a working group on occupational violence. That complements the work we have been doing with nurses and midwives and their representative through the ANMF on the nurse safety strategy.
Extensive work is underway broadly across ACT Health, Canberra Health Services and Calvary Public Hospital on occupational violence with a specific focus on nurses. Of course, as Minister Rattenbury has outlined, within that there is a particular focus on mental health.
Government—sport and recreation grants
MS ORR: My question is to the Minister for Sport and Recreation. Minister, how is the ACT government supporting Canberrans to live healthy, active and inclusive lifestyles?
MS BERRY: I thank Ms Orr for her question. The ACT government is committed to supporting Canberrans to live a healthy, active and inclusive lifestyle. It is important that everyone feels supported and inspired to improve their health and wellbeing through sport and recreation.
Seventy local sporting organisations have just been provided with funding through the 2019 ACT government sport and recreation grants program to help them provide more training and education opportunities and improve their club facilities. The grants will help local sporting organisations continue to create quality, diverse and safe physical activity experiences and facilities for Canberra’s active community.
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