New initiative to address safety and culture in mining industry

Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) will be funded with an initial investment of $1.9 million.

It will enhance DMIRS’ (Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety) enforcement model and response mechanisms to sexual harassment and assault incidents.

It will also boost responses to mental health, drug and alcohol use and other health and safety issues in the mining industry.

The MARS program will be managed by DMIRS in partnership with the Mental Health Commission, the Equal Opportunity Commission, and the Women’s Interests Minister starting in 2022.

The McGowan Government is committed to ensuring a safe working environment for all Western Australians, which includes implementing the 12 Respect@Work recommendations that apply to the State Government as well as developing Western Australia’s first whole-of-government Sexual Violence Prevention Strategy.