Zenergy Leaders Forum: WHS Legislative and Industry Update — Leading the Future of Safe Work

A Vision for Safer, Fairer Workplaces

The forum opened with a keynote address by Hon. Sophie Cotsis MP, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Work Health and Safety.

Minister Cotsis outlined the NSW Government’s renewed focus on ensuring that every worker — across every industry — returns home safely each day. She spoke about the government’s commitment to reform, collaboration, and stronger enforcement, highlighting new legislative priorities designed to enhance fairness, accountability, and wellbeing in Australian workplaces.

“Safety isn’t negotiable — it’s about care, respect, and leadership,” Minister Cotsis said. “When businesses lead with safety, they lead with integrity.”

Her remarks set the tone for a day centred on connection — between policy and practice, leadership and accountability, and people and purpose.

Panel Discussion: The Changing Face of Workplace Health and Safety

Moderated by David Ninnes, Group Head of Accountability at Westpac Group, and John Lee, Independent Director,  the panel brought together leading voices shaping the future of safety in Australia:

• Janet Schorer, Commissioner, SafeWork NSW
• Angela Wallbank, Executive, SafeWork Australia
• Katherine Morris, Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright Australia

Together, they explored the current Workplace Health and Safety landscape and what’s next for organisations navigating legislative change, psychosocial safety, and cultural transformation.

1. Emerging Safety Priorities

The panel discussed the growing complexity of safety in modern workplaces — from managing psychosocial risks to embedding mental health into safety systems. The conversation highlighted the shift from reactive compliance to proactive leadership, where organisations are expected to lead cultural change rather than simply follow regulation.

Angela Wallbank noted that psychosocial safety is now integral to business performance, not just compliance. Janet Schorer emphasised SafeWork NSW’s focus on education and enforcement, encouraging leaders to create psychologically safe environments where people can raise concerns without fear.

2. Legislative Reform and Accountability

Katherine Morris provided a legal perspective on recent and upcoming WHS changes, including industrial manslaughter provisions, harmonisation between states, and the importance of board-level accountability.

She noted that regulators are increasingly focused on leadership responsibility, with directors expected to demonstrate active oversight of safety systems. John Lee added that this shift is also cultural: “The best leaders aren’t waiting for enforcement — they’re taking ownership of safety as a core value.”

The discussion underscored that compliance and culture must evolve together — with leaders at all levels taking responsibility for shaping safer, more transparent workplaces.

3. From Compliance to Culture

One of the strongest themes throughout the discussion was the human side of safety. As workplaces become more complex, success depends on empowering people — not just implementing processes.

The panellists agreed that psychological safety and trust are now critical performance indicators. Leaders must not only model safe behaviour but also listen, engage, and support their teams in meaningful ways. When safety becomes part of the organisational DNA, engagement and performance naturally follow.

A Platform for Collaboration and Change

The Zenergy Leaders Forum highlighted the importance of collaboration between government, regulators, and business. It also showcased how Zenergy are driving these connections — creating platforms for open discussion, knowledge sharing, and collective problem-solving.

For Zenergy, this event was an extension of our mission: to connect people and culture to safer, healthier, and more sustainable outcomes. We remain committed to supporting organisations in translating policy into practice — through leadership development, HSE consulting, and workforce solutions.

Key Takeaways

• Leadership accountability is non-negotiable. Directors and executives must actively engage in safety governance.
• Psychosocial safety is the next frontier. Addressing psychological risk is central to sustainable business performance.
• Policy and practice must align. Collaboration between regulators and industry remains vital for real progress.
• Culture drives safety. Empowering workers to speak up and be part of the solution creates lasting change.
• Partnerships build impact. Forums like this unite the WHS community to shape the future of safe and healthy work.

Looking Ahead

As the Workplace Health and Safety landscape continues to evolve, the call for stronger leadership, collaboration, and accountability grows louder. The Zenergy Leaders Forum served as a reminder that safety is everyone’s responsibility — and that meaningful change begins with connection.

Zenergy thanks all speakers, attendees, and partners for contributing to an inspiring and insightful event.

To stay informed about upcoming forums and insights in Workplace Health and Safety, visit zenergygroup.com.au or follow Zenergy on LinkedIn.