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Westpac Rescue Helicopter Review Clears Patient Safety, Flags Culture Reforms
The review found no patient safety failures but said 61% of staff who raised grievances were unhappy with the process.
- On Tuesday, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service released an independent review by King & Wood Mallesons, finding the service is not toxic but faces systemic issues, with 31 recommendations to improve workplace culture and complaints handling.
- Commissioned last November, the review followed whistleblowers and 60 Minutes reports alleging the service "creating a culture of fear" that endangered personnel, ignored sexual harassment, and silenced dissent through non-disclosure agreements.
- While the review maintained Westpac Rescue was a "positive and respectful workplace," it found 20 per cent of employees witnessed sexual harassment and some staff were perceived as "untouchables" due to tenure or relationships.
- Westpac Rescue board chair John Fenwick apologized for "serious instances" where the service let people down, and the board committed to adopting all 31 recommendations, including refreshing sexual harassment training and updating psychosocial risk assessments.
- The future of Westpac Rescue's $500 million contract remains uncertain as it expires in May next year, with the service facing ongoing scrutiny from NSW Ambulance and a parliamentary inquiry seeking the full report.
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Sydney Morning Herald+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
Westpac Rescue cleared of ‘toxic culture’ despite sexual harassment and racism findings
The future of Westpac Rescue’s $500 million contract now hangs in the balance after it released a 33-page summary of a long-awaited review.
·North Sydney, Australia
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources7
Leaning Left5Leaning Right0Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution71% Left
Bias Distribution
- 71% of the sources lean Left
71% Left
L 71%
C 29%
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