Released 09/04/2020
Minister for Employment and Workplace Safety Suzanne Orr has today thanked Work Safety Commissioner Greg Jones as he announced his retirement from the ACT Public Service.
"Mr. Jones has served as the Commissioner since July 2016 and I'd like to thank him for his tireless service to improve the health and safety of all working people across the ACT," Minister Orr said.
"In my time as Minister for Employment and Workplace Safety, it has been a pleasure to work with Mr. Jones and I have had absolute confidence in his leadership of the entire WorkSafe ACT team.
"I'd like to once again thank Mr. Jones for his service to the people of the ACT and wish him all the best for the future".
Prior to becoming Work Safety Commissioner, Mr Jones held a number of senior leadership positions in the ACT public service, including as the head of the former Casino Surveillance Authority and Chief Executive Officer of the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission. He has a total 40 years' service of which 30 has been in various regulatory roles.
Minister Orr said the ACT Government would be making further announcements on a replacement for Mr Jones in coming weeks.
Quotes attributable to Greg Jones, ACT Work Safety Commissioner:
"It has been a challenge but also a great pleasure to fulfil the role of ACT Work Safety Commissioner over the past four years," Mr Jones said.'
"I'm proud of the ongoing focus of government on industrial work, health and safety and the enhanced awareness of employers of their responsibilities through the Work Health and Safety Act.
"As a result of our active engagement with all stakeholders and our enforcement activities, more workers returned home safely, and I am pleased to have led this important work. WorkSafe has a strong and experienced investigation team which focuses on professionally gathering evidence to ensure successful regulatory action is achieved.
"I'm also delighted that more employers are now focusing on mental health and wellbeing in the workplace as well as on the more traditional physical health. I am proud to have introduced a strong focus on mental health as well as providing a range of measures to assist and support this important health and safety issue.
"I would like to pass on my appreciation to my dedicated team over the years who have worked tirelessly to: prevent work health and safety incidents; to educate employers and workers; to hold employers and workers to account through WHS Legislation; and to provide support to all parties if incidents occurred. I'd also like to thank industry representatives and unions for their support.
"It is testament to their work, determination and compassion, that I retire knowing that the ACT is safer for workers."
- Statement ends -
Suzanne Orr, MLA | Media Releases