‘Deeply sorry’: fire chief apologises after landmark workplace review reveals bullying and harassment

Tasmania’s fire and emergency services chief has publicly apologised to the hundreds of staff reporting recent bullying and harassment, following the release of a damning workplace report.

Tasmanian Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner, Jeremy Smith. PICTURE: MATT THOMPSON

Tasmania’s fire and emergency services chief has publicly apologised to the hundreds of employees and volunteers reporting recent workplace bullying and harassment, following the release of a damning report which revealed a culture of fear and silence within the ranks.

The independent interview of the TFS and SES, undertaken by former federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick AO, found that harmful workplace behaviours were pervasive across both organisations, with a “boys’ club” culture and endemic favouritism identified as major barriers to fair treatment, career progression, and staff retention.

The culture probe, announced last August by the State Fire Commission chair Allan Garcia, found one in five of the 1250 respondents had experienced bullying in the past five years, while one in six reported sexual harassment.

Tasmanian Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner, Jeremy Smith, said although the report acknowledged that workplace culture was changing for the better, many of the behaviours reported by staff were “unacceptable”.

“To employees and volunteers who have been harmed by these behaviours – I am deeply sorry for the hurt you experienced,” Mr Smith said.

“I am committed, along with the SFC and the TFS and SES Executive, to building safe and respectful workplaces.

“Today the Executive and I have signed a Statement of Commitment which is a declaration of our intent to act on the findings of the report and hold ourselves to account as leaders.

“We will build on our progress – it will take time, but we are committed.”

Thanking respondents for their courage in speaking up, Mr Smith said the Commission would release a framework to implement the report’s 26 recommendations by October.

While Labor spokesperson for Police, Fire, and Emergency Management, Jen Butler, told the Mercury she had requested an urgent briefing to understand “the extremely concerning picture about morale and workplace culture within the TFS and SES” portrayed in the report, the United Firefighters Union indicated it needed more time to consider the findings.

“It’s clear that there are significant concerns that will need to be addressed and monitored over an extended period of time,” UFU industrial organiser, Stephen McCallum, said.

Ms Broderick found the TFS and SES had made positive developments in the areas of mental health support, inclusive leadership, and recognising the need for change, but that their cultures continued to be negatively affected by exclusionary practices, perceptions of favouritism, and divisions between different workforce groups.

And while many employees and volunteers indicated a strong sense of pride and purpose in their roles, others – particularly women – reported higher levels of exclusion, less workplace respect, and lower confidence in meaningful cultural change.

“The challenge lies in ensuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just aspirational goals but are actively integrated into workplace structures, leadership practices, and everyday interactions,” the report found.

“Creating a truly safe and inclusive culture requires both systemic change and individual commitment.”

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, said the government welcomed the Commission’s commitment to enact change, saying a strong, supportive, and respectful workplace culture was essential for those operating in high-pressure environments.

“Our work to formally unite the TFS and SES presents a pivotal time to strengthen collaboration and align cultural expectations to ensure they’re future-ready and reflective of the communities they serve,” Minister Ellis said.

Originally published as ‘Deeply sorry’: fire chief apologises after landmark workplace review reveals bullying and harassment