Independent review finds SafeWork SA investigation of Gayle Woodford’s death was adequate

An independent review commissioned by the Attorney-General into a SafeWork SA investigation of Gayle Woodford’s death has been released.

An independent review of the adequacy of a SafeWork SA investigation into the violent death of outback nurse Gayle Woodford found it satisfactory despite her family’s outrage.

The SafeWork investigation was conducted after the Coroner’s report was handed down in April 2021, and declined to prosecute the woman’s employer for unsafe work practices.

Mrs Woodford, 56, was lured from her Fregon property in the APY Lands by Dudley Davey.

Her body was found two days later in a shallow grave in the outskirts of the APY Lands.

She was a nurse working for Nganampa Health Council and on-call on the evening she was murdered.

SafeWork SA announced in May this year they would not pursue Nganampa Health Council over Mrs Woodford’s death as there was no reasonable prospect of conviction.

Mrs Woodford’s husband Keith told The Advertiser it was “absolutely disgusting”, and that SafeWork SA gave no explanation for why they would not prosecute the health council.

The review of SafeWork’s investigation was ordered by Attorney-General Kyam Maher, and undertaken by former Justice of the Federal Court of Australia John Ronald Mansfield QC.

Mr Mansfield said the investigation was “adequate, comprehensive and careful”.

He said the engagement with Mrs Woodford’s family was generally extensive, but there should have been engagement about the commencement of the investigation.

Gayle Woodford's husband Keith Woodford with Gayle's sister Andrea Hannemann pictured outside of the Coroners Court speaking to the media after the inquest findings were handed down. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

“From the perspective of Keith and his family, the engagement was not adequate but their perspective was coloured both by their expectation that the investigation would lead to a prosecution, and a misunderstanding that arose as to the significant of the earlier investigation conducted by SafeWork SA in 2018,” he said.

Mr Mansfield recommended the state government review provisions of the Work Health and Safety Act which govern the level of detail provided by SafewWork SA to families while an investigation is ongoing.

All recommendations were accepted by Mr Maher.

“I know personally how much Gayle was loved and appreciated by the people she worked with and cared for. My heart goes out to the Woodford family,” Mr Maher said.

“The consultation provisions in the Work Health and Safety Act will be carefully considered to see if more information can be provided to families as investigations are proceeding, and to ensure the time frames for bringing a prosecution provide a fair opportunity for families to be kept informed.

“I appreciate this report may not be the conclusion that the Woodford family were hoping for, but I do hope it reassures them that the investigation into Ms Woodford’s death was thorough and comprehensive.”

Dudley Davey was sentenced to at least 32 years for the rape and murder of Mrs Woodford in 2017.

The woman’s death sparked a safety overhaul for outback nurses, with “Gayle’s Law” making it illegal for health workers to attend call-outs in remote communities alone.