# Western Power workplace culture investigations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/western-power-workplace-culture-investigations
> Updated: 2026-08-25T04:48:32.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

Western Power is undergoing internal and external scrutiny following the criminal conviction of former employee Jeffrey Spinner, who was sentenced to five years in prison for sexual penetration without consent during a work trip. The company initially stood down three employees who had provided character references for Spinner.

Following these events, a second ‘very credible’ historic sexual assault allegation from a former employee was reported to Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson. This new claim has prompted an independent investigation into the organization’s workplace culture. The review will be conducted by the advisory firm Intersection, led by Natasha de Silva and former Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins, as the company addresses a surge of complaints from current and former staff.

## Claims

- Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson reported a 'very credible' historic sexual assault complaint from a former Western Power employee. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Energy Minister stated that the recent sexual assault case was not an outlier within the organization. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Former employee Jeffrey Spinner was convicted of raping a colleague during a work trip in 2024. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Several colleagues of Jeffrey Spinner have been stood down from their roles following their provision of character references for him. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- An independent review into Western Power’s workplace culture will be launched. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The independent review will be led by Natasha de Silva and Kate Jenkins of the advisory firm Intersection. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-25: Western Power faces culture review after second sexual assault claim

Western Power will undergo an independent culture review after a second credible sexual assault complaint was filed, following the 2024 conviction of former employee Jeffrey Spinner.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/western-power-faces-culture-review-after-second-sexual-assault-claim

### 2026-08-12: Western Power stands down employees over rapist colleague references

Western Power has stood down three employees after they provided character references for a colleague, Jeffrey Spinner, who was convicted of raping a coworker during a work trip.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/western-power-stands-down-employees-over-rapist-colleague-references

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Cite as: Western Power workplace culture investigations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/western-power-workplace-culture-investigations