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Victoria's workplace safety watchdog has officially launched an investigation into allegations of discrimination at the Hawthorn Football Club.
- WorkSafe Victoria has begun investigating allegations first brought to light in an external review of the Hawks
- The watchdog's health and safety boss says every Victorian worker has the right to a healthy and safe workplace
- Elsewhere, the AFL is yet to name the panel for a separate independent investigation into the allegations
An external review commissioned by the club contained allegations that key figures demanded the separation of young First Nations players from their partners, and pressured one couple to terminate a pregnancy.
Four-time Hawks premiership coach Alastair Clarkson, his then-assistant, Chris Fagan, and former Hawthorn welfare manager, Jason Burt, were named in an ABC report detailing historical allegations from some Indigenous Hawthorn players.
All three have expressed their distress at the contents of the review and denied any wrongdoing.
The allegations have sent shockwaves through the AFL since they were revealed just under three weeks ago.
WorkSafe Victoria has confirmed it is investigating the allegations. It is understood officials will meet with Hawthorn club figures on Monday.
Responding to the ABC, the watchdog's executive director of health and safety, Narelle Beer, released a statement.
"Every Victorian worker, no matter their cultural background, has the right to a healthy and safe workplace," Dr Beer's statement read.
"WorkSafe takes allegations of workplace bullying and discrimination very seriously and can take enforcement action when employers fail to protect the mental health of those in their workplace.
"WorkSafe has commenced investigating the recent allegations relating to the Hawthorn Football Club."
WorkSafe is the independent body responsible for enforcing occupational health and safety laws, which include a duty for employers to provide a physically and mentally safe workplace.
It has the power to issue improvement and prohibition notices, undertake comprehensive investigations and prosecute breaches of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
"WorkSafe is urging anyone who experienced or witnessed health and safety concerns at Hawthorn Football Club to contact WorkSafe to make a statement," Dr Beer's statement said.
The AFL has promised an independent panel will conduct an investigation into the allegations, but is yet to confirm who will be involved.
There are suggestions an outside body such as the Australian Human Rights Commission may have to take carriage of the inquiry.
Clarkson released a second statement on Wednesday, saying he would cooperate with an AFL investigation, but he was concerned that media publication of extracts from the review had undermined any chance of a fair process.
Hawks' president, Jeff Kennett, last night told the club's Best and Fairest awards ceremony that he did not consider the allegations a crisis and said the players who spoke to the ABC should not have publicly named the staff allegedly involved.