❓ Hon Norman Moore asked whether the Minister played a role in Graham Burkett's appointment as chief of staff. Hon Nick Griffiths confirmed he recommended Burkett due to his extensive public service experience.
AnsweredQoN 813Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Did the minister play a role, either directly or indirectly, in the engagement by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet of Mr Graham Burkett as his chief of staff? (2) If so, what was the minister’s role? If not, who decided to appoint Mr Burkett to the minister’s office? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) I played a role, in that I was of the view that Mr Burkett would do a very good job as my chief of staff, and I believe he did so. I was mindful of the fact that Mr Burkett had a very long career in public service. He had served 10 years as a councillor with the City of Stirling, and several years as mayor. He served two terms as a member of the Legislative Assembly, and rose to the position of Deputy Speaker. He served the people of Western Australia in roles, as I understand, working for Ministers Beggs, Hallahan and Lewis. I understand that, more recently, he performed a role for Minister Charlton and Hon Murray Criddle. In the light of that experience, I thought he was an appropriate person to be chief of staff. He certainly served me well in that position. My precise role was in thinking that he was appropriate and making a recommendation to that effect. Is there any further information the honourable member requires?
(2) If so, what was the minister’s role? If not, who decided to appoint Mr Burkett to the minister’s office? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: (1)-(2) I played a role, in that I was of the view that Mr Burkett would do a very good job as my chief of staff, and I believe he did so. I was mindful of the fact that Mr Burkett had a very long career in public service. He had served 10 years as a councillor with the City of Stirling, and several years as mayor. He served two terms as a member of the Legislative Assembly, and rose to the position of Deputy Speaker. He served the people of Western Australia in roles, as I understand, working for Ministers Beggs, Hallahan and Lewis. I understand that, more recently, he performed a role for Minister Charlton and Hon Murray Criddle. In the light of that experience, I thought he was an appropriate person to be chief of staff. He certainly served me well in that position. My precise role was in thinking that he was appropriate and making a recommendation to that effect. Is there any further information the honourable member requires?
Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: (1)-(2) I played a role, in that I was of the view that Mr Burkett would do a very good job as my chief of staff, and I believe he did so. I was mindful of the fact that Mr Burkett had a very long career in public service. He had served 10 years as a councillor with the City of Stirling, and several years as mayor. He served two terms as a member of the Legislative Assembly, and rose to the position of Deputy Speaker. He served the people of Western Australia in roles, as I understand, working for Ministers Beggs, Hallahan and Lewis. I understand that, more recently, he performed a role for Minister Charlton and Hon Murray Criddle. In the light of that experience, I thought he was an appropriate person to be chief of staff. He certainly served me well in that position. My precise role was in thinking that he was appropriate and making a recommendation to that effect. Is there any further information the honourable member requires?
(1)-(2) I played a role, in that I was of the view that Mr Burkett would do a very good job as my chief of staff, and I believe he did so. I was mindful of the fact that Mr Burkett had a very long career in public service. He had served 10 years as a councillor with the City of Stirling, and several years as mayor. He served two terms as a member of the Legislative Assembly, and rose to the position of Deputy Speaker. He served the people of Western Australia in roles, as I understand, working for Ministers Beggs, Hallahan and Lewis. I understand that, more recently, he performed a role for Minister Charlton and Hon Murray Criddle. In the light of that experience, I thought he was an appropriate person to be chief of staff. He certainly served me well in that position. My precise role was in thinking that he was appropriate and making a recommendation to that effect. Is there any further information the honourable member requires?
(2) If so, what was the minister’s role? If not, who decided to appoint Mr Burkett to the minister’s office? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: (1)-(2) I played a role, in that I was of the view that Mr Burkett would do a very good job as my chief of staff, and I believe he did so. I was mindful of the fact that Mr Burkett had a very long career in public service. He had served 10 years as a councillor with the City of Stirling, and several years as mayor. He served two terms as a member of the Legislative Assembly, and rose to the position of Deputy Speaker. He served the people of Western Australia in roles, as I understand, working for Ministers Beggs, Hallahan and Lewis. I understand that, more recently, he performed a role for Minister Charlton and Hon Murray Criddle. In the light of that experience, I thought he was an appropriate person to be chief of staff. He certainly served me well in that position. My precise role was in thinking that he was appropriate and making a recommendation to that effect. Is there any further information the honourable member requires?
Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: (1)-(2) I played a role, in that I was of the view that Mr Burkett would do a very good job as my chief of staff, and I believe he did so. I was mindful of the fact that Mr Burkett had a very long career in public service. He had served 10 years as a councillor with the City of Stirling, and several years as mayor. He served two terms as a member of the Legislative Assembly, and rose to the position of Deputy Speaker. He served the people of Western Australia in roles, as I understand, working for Ministers Beggs, Hallahan and Lewis. I understand that, more recently, he performed a role for Minister Charlton and Hon Murray Criddle. In the light of that experience, I thought he was an appropriate person to be chief of staff. He certainly served me well in that position. My precise role was in thinking that he was appropriate and making a recommendation to that effect. Is there any further information the honourable member requires?
(1)-(2) I played a role, in that I was of the view that Mr Burkett would do a very good job as my chief of staff, and I believe he did so. I was mindful of the fact that Mr Burkett had a very long career in public service. He had served 10 years as a councillor with the City of Stirling, and several years as mayor. He served two terms as a member of the Legislative Assembly, and rose to the position of Deputy Speaker. He served the people of Western Australia in roles, as I understand, working for Ministers Beggs, Hallahan and Lewis. I understand that, more recently, he performed a role for Minister Charlton and Hon Murray Criddle. In the light of that experience, I thought he was an appropriate person to be chief of staff. He certainly served me well in that position. My precise role was in thinking that he was appropriate and making a recommendation to that effect. Is there any further information the honourable member requires?
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