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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →A 2022 60 Minutes Australia report presented allegations from women who had worked in Western Australia’s fly-in, fly-out mining sector, including claims of sexual propositions, assault and retaliation after reporting. Those accounts were allegations presented by the program, not findings that the cited report says were adjudicated. A parliamentary inquiry and later WorkSafe WA progress reporting documented a broader response to sexual harassment concerns, including reporting and support measures.
What did the FIFO workers tell 60 Minutes?
Reporter Liam Bartlett interviewed former FIFO worker Astacia Stevens and two women identified as Bronte and Rosana. Their accounts, as presented by Nine’s 60 Minutes page, described different alleged experiences at mining sites.
- Astacia Stevens described alleged sexual propositions and said she feared retaliation against people who spoke up. In a report published before the broadcast, PerthNow attributed to Stevens allegations that a superintendent at a Fortescue site offered to make a haul-truck near-miss investigation “go away” in exchange for sex, and that a superintendent at a Rio Tinto site linked access to a permanent job with sexual demands.
- Bronte said she had been over-sedated and sexually assaulted at a Gold Fields site.
- Rosana described being followed after repeatedly rejecting a man’s advances.
Nine’s account says Bronte and Rosana reported what they said had happened, but were moved off site after their accounts were dismissed with claims about their mental health or emotional stability. These are accounts reported by the program; the cited pages do not establish individual findings about the alleged perpetrators or events.
What did the mining companies say?
Nine said it approached all the mining companies featured in the report. Rio Tinto, Gold Fields and MACA declined interview requests. The page also reproduced company statements. Gold Fields said it treated allegations contrary to its standards seriously and would cooperate with investigations. That response is the company’s stated position; it does not resolve the specific allegations.
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Rio Tinto’s separate workplace-culture review
Nine noted that Rio Tinto published an external workplace-culture review on 1 February 2022, conducted by former Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick. Nine described the review as identifying bullying, sexual harassment, racism and other discrimination. The review concerned Rio Tinto’s workplace culture; it should not be treated as a finding about every allegation in the broadcast or as an adjudication of the individual accounts.
What did the WA parliamentary inquiry examine?
The WA parliamentary committee’s inquiry was titled Enough is Enough: Sexual harassment against women in the FIFO mining industry. ABC’s June 2022 coverage described the report as finding that sexual harassment was generally accepted or overlooked and recounted serious abuse and “powerplay” behaviour. The inquiry followed earlier reporting by The West Australian; PerthNow reported that the inquiry was already underway when it covered Stevens’s allegations before the broadcast.
The inquiry addressed concerns beyond any one account: WorkSafe WA’s later progress report says the inquiry arose amid concerns that companies failed to report known incidents, workers feared repercussions for reporting, training was limited or ineffective, and women were underrepresented in the mining workforce. ABC reported in September 2022 that the WA Government supported the review’s recommendations.
What changed after the inquiry?
WorkSafe WA’s final progress report describes the government recommendations as complete, in advanced stages, or integrated into ongoing business. It also records that programs continue and some items remain in progress, so “complete” should not be read as meaning the underlying work has ended.
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Reporting and coordination
WorkSafe says it is the central coordinator and record keeper for workplace sexual-harassment reports in Western Australia. Its report says workers can make an anonymous initial report through WorkSafe’s 24/7 line. For an incident requiring immediate police or emergency assistance, use the relevant emergency service rather than relying on an information or referral line.
Training and government coordination
The progress report describes a four-day program, “Response, Investigation and Management of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace,” tailored to WA mining. It was designed for management, human-resources professionals, employee representatives and first responders. The report says it was developed by the WHS Foundation and Australian Institute of Health and Safety, supported by UWA and facilitated by PerMentis Pty Ltd (FIFO Focus), with funding through the WA Government’s MARS Program.
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It also says the Respect@Work Agreement between the Australian Human Rights Commission and 22 government agencies, including WorkSafe, was finalised in April 2023. More than 1,200 delegates attended the mining industry summit described in the WorkSafe progress report.
Where can a WA mine worker seek confidential help?
WorkSafe’s final progress report describes the Mining Industry Respect Infoline as an independent, confidential service established in January 2023. It offers phone and online advice and referrals to survivors, support people, bystanders and whistleblowers. The report lists 1800 929 250 and says incident-reporting referrals go to WorkSafe and WA Police. It also says the WA Government provided $335,000 in funding to Circle Green Community Legal for the service, citing Circle Green Community Legal in 2025. Because contact details and service availability can change, check the current Infoline listing before relying on the number or hours.
What does the law say about sexual harassment?
The legal context depends on the applicable law and workplace-relations system. In a 20 August 2021 notice, WA Equal Opportunity Commissioner Dr John Byrne said, “Sexual harassment has been unlawful in WA since our Equal Opportunity Act started.” Separately, WorkSafe’s progress report states that workplace sexual harassment was prohibited under the Fair Work Act 2009 from 6 March 2023 for businesses covered by the national workplace-relations system. It says the Fair Work Commission can make orders concerning compensation, lost pay, behaviour change or training. These descriptions are not individual legal advice; a worker deciding what to do about a particular incident may need advice about the law and process that applies to their circumstances.
Quick Recap
Which source answers which question?
| Source | Best used for |
|---|---|
| Nine’s 60 Minutes page | The interview accounts presented in the broadcast and the company responses reproduced with it. |
| WA parliamentary committee report, Enough is Enough | The inquiry’s findings and recommendations. |
| WorkSafe WA final progress report | Government implementation updates, reporting coordination, training and service referrals. |
| WA Equal Opportunity Commission notice dated 20 August 2021 | The Commissioner’s dated statement about sexual harassment under WA’s Equal Opportunity Act. |
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