B. Prior to the Robbery
[11] For a number of years prior to the Robbery the FSU and Westpac had been corresponding, and discussing in security work group meetings, security issues - including AJBs, their design and employee safety. As part of this:
(a) on 2 February 1995, Michael Johnston, Head of Employee Relations at Westpac wrote to Mr Tony Beck, Joint National Secretary, Finance Sector Union ('FSU') about the Westpac Security Agreement. A copy of this letter is Annexure 1;
(b) on 31 August 1998, the Informant, Secretary, FSU wrote to Russell Chandler, National Manager, Group Security, Westpac concerning branch security and bandits gaining access across counters. A copy of this letter is Annexure 2;
(c) on 19 October 1998, Mr Chandler wrote to the Informant about branch security and the installation of AJBs. A copy of this letter is Annexure 3;
(d) on 23 February 1999, the Informant wrote to Mr Chandler in relation to a robbery at the Gymea Branch. A copy of this letter is Annexure 4;
(e) on 5 March 1999, the Informant wrote to Mr Chandler about a robbery at the Petrie Plaza Branch, Australian Capital Territory. A copy of this letter is Annexure 5;
(f) on 12 March 1999, Brian Wright, National Manager (Rlg) wrote to the Informant about the Gymea and Petrie Plaza branches. A copy of this letter is Annexure 6;
(g) in Autumn 1999 the FSU's article 'Beating the Bandits' appeared in Inside Finance. A copy of this article is Annexure 7;
(h) on 24 June 1999, the Informant wrote to Mr Chandler about Westpac's retail counter AJBs. A copy of this letter is Annexure 8;
(i) on 29 June 1999, the Informant wrote to Mr Chandler concerning an incident at the Liverpool Central Branch and AJBs. A copy of this letter is Annexure 9;
(j) on 15 July 1999, Mr Chandler wrote to the Informant concerning AJBs. A copy of this letter is Annexure 10;
(k) on 19 July 1999, Mr Chandler wrote to the Informant in relation to AJBs and their specifications. A copy of this letter is Annexure 11;
(l) on 17 August 1999, the Informant wrote to Mr Chandler about the fitting of suitable AJBs in Westpac retail workplaces. A copy of this letter is Annexure 12;
(m) on 3 December 1999, Mr Frost, Industrial Officer OHS, FSU, wrote to Mr Chandler about branch security and AJBs. A copy of this letter is Annexure 13;
(n) on 17 December 1999, Mr Chandler wrote to the Informant in relation to Branch Security and AJBs. A copy of this letter is Annexure 14;
(o) on 2 January 2001, Mr Chandler wrote to Anthony Beck, National Secretary, FSU about a security agreement between Westpac and the FSU. A copy of this letter is Annexure 15;
(p) on 22 January 2001, Mr Frost wrote to Mr Chandler about an incident at the Figtree branch. A copy of this letter is Annexure 16;
(q) on 29 March 2001, Mr Frost wrote to Mr Chandler in relation to a robbery of the Maroubra branch. A copy of this letter is Annexure 17;
(r) on 9 April 2001, Mr Chandler wrote to Mr Frost in relation to the Maroubra Junction Branch. A copy of this letter is Annexure 18;
(s) on 16 April 2001, Mr Frost wrote to Mr Chandler concerning a robbery at the Flemington Market's branch. A copy of this letter is Annexure 19;
(t) on 10 July 2001, Mr Onley wrote to Mr Frost regarding workplace security and AJBs. A copy of this letter is Annexure 20;
(u) on 20 January 2002, Mr Frost wrote to Mr Chandler in relation to branch security and AJBs. A copy of this letter is Annexure 21;
(v) on 11 February 2002, Leslie Martin, General Manager, Westpac wrote to the Informant in relation to an AJB upgrade program. A copy of this letter is Annexure 22;
(w) on 22 February 2002, the Informant wrote to Ms Martin in relation to an AJB upgrade program. A copy of this letter is Annexure 23;
(x) on 16 May 2002, Mr Frost to Mr Onley in relation to a robbery at the Westpac Cronulla branch. A copy of this letter is Annexure 24; and
(y) on 13 June 2002, Mr Onley wrote to Mr Frost in relation to the robbery of the Cronulla Branch. A copy of this letter is Annexure 25.
[12] On 10 December 2003 Ms Filatoff, the Manager at Westpac's Avalon branch, telephoned Physical Security (a section of Westpac responsible for physical security matters) to report a concern raised by employees about the gap between the top of the bulkhead and the ceiling at the branch.
[13] In December 2003, a member of Westpac Physical Security conducted an assessment of the Avalon branch in order to investigate the concern raised by Ms Filatoff.
[14] During the assessment the employee from Physical Security expressed the view to the employees at the Avalon branch that there was little or no risk of anyone climbing over the gap between the top of the bulkhead and the ceiling because of the WSSC bars and the bulkhead.