Executive Market – A Potential New Market for Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing
Part of the WDTA’s charter is to help the industry grow beyond its current focus on safety-sensitive groups. The WDTA is collaborating with various organisations to promote the idea that every workplace should aim to be drug and alcohol free. We encourage you to read the linked article below, “All executives holding ‘fit and proper’ positions should be drug tested, including politicians,” written by Nick Hossack, Principal at Benchmark Analytics, a public policy consultancy. Nick is a former Policy Director at the Australian Bankers’ Association and adviser to John Howard.
All Executives Holding ‘Fit and Proper’ Positions Should Be Drug Tested, Including Politicians
Australian MPs Sarah Henderson and Katie Allen have proposed making Parliament House a dry workplace to strengthen public confidence in leadership behaviour. Alcohol misuse has been linked to numerous incidents, including alleged assaults and poor decision-making, highlighting risks among those in ‘fit and proper’ positions.
While blue-collar industries such as construction, mining, and transport have long implemented drug and alcohol testing to improve safety, similar measures are rarely applied in white-collar sectors. There is a strong case for extending these policies to executives and professionals in high-responsibility roles, including government, finance, and insurance.
Research indicates that despite some reduction in alcohol consumption since 2016, risky drinking remains common, with one in four people drinking at unsafe levels monthly. Cocaine use has also reached record highs in some regions, according to the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
Those holding ‘fit and proper’ positions – from ministers to executives – have a duty to maintain sound judgement and decision-making. Yet, few organisations have formal processes to manage the risk of substance use among senior leaders. Effective risk management begins with identifying and addressing these vulnerabilities.
Sarah Henderson and Katie Allen’s proposal opens an important conversation about accountability across politics and the wider executive landscape.
Author: Nick Hossack, Principal at Benchmark Analytics, former Policy Director at the Australian Bankers’ Association, and former adviser to Prime Minister John Howard.