Fortescue Metals Group executive chairman Andrew Forrest has issued a firm statement to staff after the company was hit with a class action lawsuit alleging widespread sexual harassment across its remote worksites and accommodation villages over many years.
Forrest's message to staff
In an email sent to employees on Friday, Forrest said the allegations were serious and disturbing, and that behaviour of that kind had no place at the company. “Every person who comes to work at Fortescue deserves to feel safe. Every person deserves respect. That isn’t an aspiration – it’s the minimum standard,” he wrote.
Forrest emphasised that any form of harassment or discrimination is unacceptable, and that physical or sexual harassment will not be tolerated. “Anyone who thinks this behaviour has a place at Fortescue is in the wrong company,” he said. He added that where conduct amounts to criminal behaviour, the company will support its people and expect the law to take its course. “Losing your job is the beginning of the consequences, not the end.”
Details of the class action
The class action, filed in the Federal Court on Thursday, includes allegations that a woman was pulled into a dark alley by a man who forcibly tried to kiss her, and another woman found a random man in her room when she came home one night. Other workers reported being subjected to vile language, including comments such as “you sluts report us and then we get the sack” and “why don’t you f*** the crew, you will make yourself feel better”.
Western Australian Liberal MP Libby Mettam, who chaired a state parliamentary inquiry into sexual harassment in mining camps, said the fresh allegations mirrored those uncovered by the 2022 inquiry. That inquiry delivered 24 recommendations aimed at improving safety and cracking down on perpetrators, including blacklisting offenders from the industry to prevent them moving between companies.
“That inquiry uncovered a toxic culture of cover-up in the mining industry,” Mettam told AAP. “Four years on I am extremely disappointed the same allegations are being repeated. A workplace culture that supports the harassment and discrimination of women must be stamped out.”
Political and regulatory response
Mettam said she would follow up with the state Labor government to demand answers on why not all recommendations had been implemented, including the blacklist of offenders. WA Premier Roger Cook acknowledged there was more to do, telling reporters on Thursday: “I know the industry takes these issues very seriously, particularly after those incidents or the pattern of behaviour were highlighted, and we know there’s more to do.”
Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner Anna Cody said the allegations formed part of a broader pattern of concerns raised across the mining sector in recent years. “All workers have the right to be safe, respected and free from sexual harassment at work, regardless of where they work, including in remote and male-dominated industries,” Dr Cody said. “We will continue to engage with industries where risks of harm are elevated to strengthen compliance and drive cultural change.”
Support resources
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call triple-0. For advice and counselling for men concerned about their use of family violence call 1300 766 491.
