FIFO parliamentary inquiry hears WA police investigated 23 sexual harassment claims

WA police investigated 23 allegations of sexual assaults on mine sites across the state in the past two years, a parliamentary inquiry into harassment of women in the fly-in, fly-out industry has revealed.

The inquiry today heard from resources giant Woodside, Deputy Police Commissioner Col Blanch and Assistant Commissioner Brad Royce.

Deputy Commissioner Blanch said of the 23 sexual harassment incidents on mine sites, 21 involved women and two men.

Four led to criminal convictions, five are still being investigated, seven were withdrawn by the complainant and there was insufficient evidence for seven more.

"We would like to see more people held to account for committing sexual assaults," Deputy Commissioner Blanch said.

"But that is entirely up to the victim. It is a very traumatic experience to go through and that is something we would like to improve over time to ensure we give them the best care possible to talk them through and walk them through the justice process."

Eleven of the incidents were reported within a week of occurring but several were reported a year or more later.

However, Deputy Commissioner Blanch said "no time is too long" for reporting offences.

"If a victim wants to come forward 20 years after a sexual assault, then we would urge them to come forward," he said.

"Our priority is to hold perpetrators accountable for sexual assault."

Deputy Commissioner Blanch was also asked about some resource companies doing their own investigations into sexual harassment before they contacted police.

He said they could do that, but any allegations of sexual harassment would also have to be reported to police immediately.

He said it was often difficult for police to get to those mine sites quickly because of remoteness and it was essential any potential crime scene and evidence was preserved.

"I would be concerned if a crime was not reported," Deputy Commissioner Blanch said.

Woodside sacks 12 people in five years

The inquiry also heard from several Woodside executives, who revealed 12 employees or contractors had been sacked or removed from sites across its global operations over the last five years.

Woodside's operational projects are all in the north-west of Western Australia, but the company is also exploring in Europe, Africa and Asia.

Woodside executive vice-president Fiona Hicks said none of the cases had resulted in criminal charges but the company was reviewing all its sexual harassment policies and processes.

She apologised to all those who were victims of inappropriate conduct, including sexual harassment.

"Thank you to those people that have spoken up," Ms Hicks said.

Last week the inquiry heard from labour and equipment contractor Macmahon Holdings, which conceded the company failed to protect women from sexual harassment on worksites.

Macmahon Holdings chief executive Mick Finnegan said the company's efforts to screen prospective employees and keep records of those who commit sexual harassment offences had failed female workers.

"When there's one case of sexual harassment, it means that it hasn't worked," he told the hearing.

In September, the inquiry heard allegations a 33-year-old Macmahon truck driver, Astacia Stevens, had been propositioned for sex by a superintendent in exchange for making a safety investigation go away.

The inquiry is due to hear from Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union state secretary Mick Buchan next.