Reported
Person rescued from grain silo in Dunolly
A person was rescued after becoming trapped in a grain silo on Thompson Street in Dunolly, Victoria, on 6 October 2026. The Country Fire…
Agriculture Dunolly, VIC
Record summary
- Date
- Thursday 25 September 2025
- Location
- Bunbury Regional Prison, WA
- Employer or operator
- Department of Justice, State Government of Western Australia
- Type
- Workplace psychological harm — sexual harassment and bullying
- Deaths
- None reported
- Injured
- One former prison officer with alleged psychological harm
- Regulator
- WorkSafe WA
What happened
Incident Overview
On Tuesday, 25 September 2025, WorkSafe WA announced the discontinuation of a landmark workplace psychological harm prosecution against the Department of Justice. The case, which centred on allegations of sexual harassment and bullying at Bunbury Regional Prison, was withdrawn after the regulator cited “fresh evidence” that eliminated a reasonable prospect of conviction.
The decision has drawn criticism from the complainant, former prison officer Bronwyn Hendry, who says she received no prior warning or explanation. The case had been the first of its kind in Western Australia and carried potential penalties of up to $3.5 million for the department.
On Tuesday, 25 September 2025, WorkSafe WA announced the discontinuation of a landmark workplace psychological harm prosecution against the Department of Justice. The case, which centred on allegations of sexual harassment and bullying at Bunbury Regional Prison, was withdrawn after the regulator cited “fresh evidence” that eliminated a reasonable prospect of conviction.
The allegations originated at Bunbury Regional Prison, where the complainant worked between 2021 and 2023. The prosecution was initiated by WorkSafe WA in October 2024 and was formally discontinued in September 2025.
WorkSafe WA stated that “fresh evidence” had emerged which meant there was no longer a “reasonable prospect” of securing a conviction. The regulator did not disclose the nature of the evidence but noted that the Department of Justice had improved its management of psychosocial hazards in recent years. WorkSafe said it would continue to monitor compliance across the department.
WorkSafe WA continues to monitor workplace safety compliance across the Department of Justice and all Western Australian employers. Workers or former employees with concerns about psychological harm, harassment, or bullying in the workplace are encouraged to contact WorkSafe WA on 1300 307 877 or lodge a report via worksafewa.asn.au.