❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the Department of Health's consolidation of donation and trust accounts, specifically regarding a bequest to Morawa District Hospital, seeking clarification on the legality, guarantees, and accountability of moving the funds into a special purpose account.
AnsweredQoN 304Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to moves by the Department of Health to consolidate existing donation and trust accounts into a special purpose account, and specifically to a request from the mid west and Murchison region of the WA Country Health Service to the signatories of a trust account for the late Mr Tommy Innocent from Bunjil that Mr Innocent’s bequest of $70 000 to Morawa District Hospital be moved into the special purpose account. (1) Why is the department consolidating existing donation and trust accounts into a special purpose account? (2) If the signatories to Mr Innocent’s trust account do not sign a release for the funds, can the funds be moved to a special purpose account anyway? (3) If the funds are moved to a special purpose account, what guarantees can the minister give the signatories to the trust account that the funds will be used as intended by the deceased? (4) What accountability will the department have to the signatories of the trust fund that the bequest is being applied to Morawa District Hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
There was a notation in the bequest, which was made back in 1982, that the individual concerned remain anonymous, so I will not in the answer refer to the name of the person who made the bequest to the hospital. (1) The WA Country Health Service implemented regional consolidation of all special purpose bank accounts in 2002-03, creating administrative efficiencies, greater accountability and providing an opportunity to maximise interest earned by the funds. (2) The signatories were the Morawa District Hospital board members prior to the amalgamation of all the hospital boards in 2002. The Minister for Health is now the board and there is a delegated authority to the Director General of the Department of Health for the management and operation of the funds. Therefore, the funds could be moved either by the minister, as the hospital board, or the director general acting under delegation from the hospital board. (3) Amalgamation of the funds is an administrative function only and in no way impacts on the obligations of the WA Country Health Service to use those funds for the purposes intended and in accordance with the terms of the bequest. In other words, the funds can legally only be used for the purpose for which they were bequeathed to the hospital. I can guarantee that will be the case. (4) The WA Country Health Service is required under the Financial Administration and Audit Act to report on all special purpose accounts annually. Any specific reporting requirements outlined in the bequest will also be complied with. All special purpose accounts are subject to audit by the Auditor General.
(1) Why is the department consolidating existing donation and trust accounts into a special purpose account? (2) If the signatories to Mr Innocent’s trust account do not sign a release for the funds, can the funds be moved to a special purpose account anyway? (3) If the funds are moved to a special purpose account, what guarantees can the minister give the signatories to the trust account that the funds will be used as intended by the deceased? (4) What accountability will the department have to the signatories of the trust fund that the bequest is being applied to Morawa District Hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: There was a notation in the bequest, which was made back in 1982, that the individual concerned remain anonymous, so I will not in the answer refer to the name of the person who made the bequest to the hospital. (1) The WA Country Health Service implemented regional consolidation of all special purpose bank accounts in 2002-03, creating administrative efficiencies, greater accountability and providing an opportunity to maximise interest earned by the funds. (2) The signatories were the Morawa District Hospital board members prior to the amalgamation of all the hospital boards in 2002. The Minister for Health is now the board and there is a delegated authority to the Director General of the Department of Health for the management and operation of the funds. Therefore, the funds could be moved either by the minister, as the hospital board, or the director general acting under delegation from the hospital board. (3) Amalgamation of the funds is an administrative function only and in no way impacts on the obligations of the WA Country Health Service to use those funds for the purposes intended and in accordance with the terms of the bequest. In other words, the funds can legally only be used for the purpose for which they were bequeathed to the hospital. I can guarantee that will be the case. (4) The WA Country Health Service is required under the Financial Administration and Audit Act to report on all special purpose accounts annually. Any specific reporting requirements outlined in the bequest will also be complied with. All special purpose accounts are subject to audit by the Auditor General.
(2) If the signatories to Mr Innocent’s trust account do not sign a release for the funds, can the funds be moved to a special purpose account anyway? (3) If the funds are moved to a special purpose account, what guarantees can the minister give the signatories to the trust account that the funds will be used as intended by the deceased? (4) What accountability will the department have to the signatories of the trust fund that the bequest is being applied to Morawa District Hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: There was a notation in the bequest, which was made back in 1982, that the individual concerned remain anonymous, so I will not in the answer refer to the name of the person who made the bequest to the hospital. (1) The WA Country Health Service implemented regional consolidation of all special purpose bank accounts in 2002-03, creating administrative efficiencies, greater accountability and providing an opportunity to maximise interest earned by the funds. (2) The signatories were the Morawa District Hospital board members prior to the amalgamation of all the hospital boards in 2002. The Minister for Health is now the board and there is a delegated authority to the Director General of the Department of Health for the management and operation of the funds. Therefore, the funds could be moved either by the minister, as the hospital board, or the director general acting under delegation from the hospital board. (3) Amalgamation of the funds is an administrative function only and in no way impacts on the obligations of the WA Country Health Service to use those funds for the purposes intended and in accordance with the terms of the bequest. In other words, the funds can legally only be used for the purpose for which they were bequeathed to the hospital. I can guarantee that will be the case. (4) The WA Country Health Service is required under the Financial Administration and Audit Act to report on all special purpose accounts annually. Any specific reporting requirements outlined in the bequest will also be complied with. All special purpose accounts are subject to audit by the Auditor General.
(3) If the funds are moved to a special purpose account, what guarantees can the minister give the signatories to the trust account that the funds will be used as intended by the deceased? (4) What accountability will the department have to the signatories of the trust fund that the bequest is being applied to Morawa District Hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: There was a notation in the bequest, which was made back in 1982, that the individual concerned remain anonymous, so I will not in the answer refer to the name of the person who made the bequest to the hospital. (1) The WA Country Health Service implemented regional consolidation of all special purpose bank accounts in 2002-03, creating administrative efficiencies, greater accountability and providing an opportunity to maximise interest earned by the funds. (2) The signatories were the Morawa District Hospital board members prior to the amalgamation of all the hospital boards in 2002. The Minister for Health is now the board and there is a delegated authority to the Director General of the Department of Health for the management and operation of the funds. Therefore, the funds could be moved either by the minister, as the hospital board, or the director general acting under delegation from the hospital board. (3) Amalgamation of the funds is an administrative function only and in no way impacts on the obligations of the WA Country Health Service to use those funds for the purposes intended and in accordance with the terms of the bequest. In other words, the funds can legally only be used for the purpose for which they were bequeathed to the hospital. I can guarantee that will be the case. (4) The WA Country Health Service is required under the Financial Administration and Audit Act to report on all special purpose accounts annually. Any specific reporting requirements outlined in the bequest will also be complied with. All special purpose accounts are subject to audit by the Auditor General.
(4) What accountability will the department have to the signatories of the trust fund that the bequest is being applied to Morawa District Hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: There was a notation in the bequest, which was made back in 1982, that the individual concerned remain anonymous, so I will not in the answer refer to the name of the person who made the bequest to the hospital. (1) The WA Country Health Service implemented regional consolidation of all special purpose bank accounts in 2002-03, creating administrative efficiencies, greater accountability and providing an opportunity to maximise interest earned by the funds. (2) The signatories were the Morawa District Hospital board members prior to the amalgamation of all the hospital boards in 2002. The Minister for Health is now the board and there is a delegated authority to the Director General of the Department of Health for the management and operation of the funds. Therefore, the funds could be moved either by the minister, as the hospital board, or the director general acting under delegation from the hospital board. (3) Amalgamation of the funds is an administrative function only and in no way impacts on the obligations of the WA Country Health Service to use those funds for the purposes intended and in accordance with the terms of the bequest. In other words, the funds can legally only be used for the purpose for which they were bequeathed to the hospital. I can guarantee that will be the case. (4) The WA Country Health Service is required under the Financial Administration and Audit Act to report on all special purpose accounts annually. Any specific reporting requirements outlined in the bequest will also be complied with. All special purpose accounts are subject to audit by the Auditor General.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: There was a notation in the bequest, which was made back in 1982, that the individual concerned remain anonymous, so I will not in the answer refer to the name of the person who made the bequest to the hospital. (1) The WA Country Health Service implemented regional consolidation of all special purpose bank accounts in 2002-03, creating administrative efficiencies, greater accountability and providing an opportunity to maximise interest earned by the funds. (2) The signatories were the Morawa District Hospital board members prior to the amalgamation of all the hospital boards in 2002. The Minister for Health is now the board and there is a delegated authority to the Director General of the Department of Health for the management and operation of the funds. Therefore, the funds could be moved either by the minister, as the hospital board, or the director general acting under delegation from the hospital board. (3) Amalgamation of the funds is an administrative function only and in no way impacts on the obligations of the WA Country Health Service to use those funds for the purposes intended and in accordance with the terms of the bequest. In other words, the funds can legally only be used for the purpose for which they were bequeathed to the hospital. I can guarantee that will be the case. (4) The WA Country Health Service is required under the Financial Administration and Audit Act to report on all special purpose accounts annually. Any specific reporting requirements outlined in the bequest will also be complied with. All special purpose accounts are subject to audit by the Auditor General.
There was a notation in the bequest, which was made back in 1982, that the individual concerned remain anonymous, so I will not in the answer refer to the name of the person who made the bequest to the hospital. (1) The WA Country Health Service implemented regional consolidation of all special purpose bank accounts in 2002-03, creating administrative efficiencies, greater accountability and providing an opportunity to maximise interest earned by the funds. (2) The signatories were the Morawa District Hospital board members prior to the amalgamation of all the hospital boards in 2002. The Minister for Health is now the board and there is a delegated authority to the Director General of the Department of Health for the management and operation of the funds. Therefore, the funds could be moved either by the minister, as the hospital board, or the director general acting under delegation from the hospital board. (3) Amalgamation of the funds is an administrative function only and in no way impacts on the obligations of the WA Country Health Service to use those funds for the purposes intended and in accordance with the terms of the bequest. In other words, the funds can legally only be used for the purpose for which they were bequeathed to the hospital. I can guarantee that will be the case. (4) The WA Country Health Service is required under the Financial Administration and Audit Act to report on all special purpose accounts annually. Any specific reporting requirements outlined in the bequest will also be complied with. All special purpose accounts are subject to audit by the Auditor General.
(1) The WA Country Health Service implemented regional consolidation of all special purpose bank accounts in 2002-03, creating administrative efficiencies, greater accountability and providing an opportunity to maximise interest earned by the funds. (2) The signatories were the Morawa District Hospital board members prior to the amalgamation of all the hospital boards in 2002. The Minister for Health is now the board and there is a delegated authority to the Director General of the Department of Health for the management and operation of the funds. Therefore, the funds could be moved either by the minister, as the hospital board, or the director general acting under delegation from the hospital board. (3) Amalgamation of the funds is an administrative function only and in no way impacts on the obligations of the WA Country Health Service to use those funds for the purposes intended and in accordance with the terms of the bequest. In other words, the funds can legally only be used for the purpose for which they were bequeathed to the hospital. I can guarantee that will be the case. (4) The WA Country Health Service is required under the Financial Administration and Audit Act to report on all special purpose accounts annually. Any specific reporting requirements outlined in the bequest will also be complied with. All special purpose accounts are subject to audit by the Auditor General.
(2) The signatories were the Morawa District Hospital board members prior to the amalgamation of all the hospital boards in 2002. The Minister for Health is now the board and there is a delegated authority to the Director General of the Department of Health for the management and operation of the funds. Therefore, the funds could be moved either by the minister, as the hospital board, or the director general acting under delegation from the hospital board. (3) Amalgamation of the funds is an administrative function only and in no way impacts on the obligations of the WA Country Health Service to use those funds for the purposes intended and in accordance with the terms of the bequest. In other words, the funds can legally only be used for the purpose for which they were bequeathed to the hospital. I can guarantee that will be the case. (4) The WA Country Health Service is required under the Financial Administration and Audit Act to report on all special purpose accounts annually. Any specific reporting requirements outlined in the bequest will also be complied with. All special purpose accounts are subject to audit by the Auditor General.
(3) Amalgamation of the funds is an administrative function only and in no way impacts on the obligations of the WA Country Health Service to use those funds for the purposes intended and in accordance with the terms of the bequest. In other words, the funds can legally only be used for the purpose for which they were bequeathed to the hospital. I can guarantee that will be the case. (4) The WA Country Health Service is required under the Financial Administration and Audit Act to report on all special purpose accounts annually. Any specific reporting requirements outlined in the bequest will also be complied with. All special purpose accounts are subject to audit by the Auditor General.
(4) The WA Country Health Service is required under the Financial Administration and Audit Act to report on all special purpose accounts annually. Any specific reporting requirements outlined in the bequest will also be complied with. All special purpose accounts are subject to audit by the Auditor General.
(1) Why is the department consolidating existing donation and trust accounts into a special purpose account? (2) If the signatories to Mr Innocent’s trust account do not sign a release for the funds, can the funds be moved to a special purpose account anyway? (3) If the funds are moved to a special purpose account, what guarantees can the minister give the signatories to the trust account that the funds will be used as intended by the deceased? (4) What accountability will the department have to the signatories of the trust fund that the bequest is being applied to Morawa District Hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: There was a notation in the bequest, which was made back in 1982, that the individual concerned remain anonymous, so I will not in the answer refer to the name of the person who made the bequest to the hospital. (1) The WA Country Health Service implemented regional consolidation of all special purpose bank accounts in 2002-03, creating administrative efficiencies, greater accountability and providing an opportunity to maximise interest earned by the funds. (2) The signatories were the Morawa District Hospital board members prior to the amalgamation of all the hospital boards in 2002. The Minister for Health is now the board and there is a delegated authority to the Director General of the Department of Health for the management and operation of the funds. Therefore, the funds could be moved either by the minister, as the hospital board, or the director general acting under delegation from the hospital board. (3) Amalgamation of the funds is an administrative function only and in no way impacts on the obligations of the WA Country Health Service to use those funds for the purposes intended and in accordance with the terms of the bequest. In other words, the funds can legally only be used for the purpose for which they were bequeathed to the hospital. I can guarantee that will be the case. (4) The WA Country Health Service is required under the Financial Administration and Audit Act to report on all special purpose accounts annually. Any specific reporting requirements outlined in the bequest will also be complied with. All special purpose accounts are subject to audit by the Auditor General.
(2) If the signatories to Mr Innocent’s trust account do not sign a release for the funds, can the funds be moved to a special purpose account anyway? (3) If the funds are moved to a special purpose account, what guarantees can the minister give the signatories to the trust account that the funds will be used as intended by the deceased? (4) What accountability will the department have to the signatories of the trust fund that the bequest is being applied to Morawa District Hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: There was a notation in the bequest, which was made back in 1982, that the individual concerned remain anonymous, so I will not in the answer refer to the name of the person who made the bequest to the hospital. (1) The WA Country Health Service implemented regional consolidation of all special purpose bank accounts in 2002-03, creating administrative efficiencies, greater accountability and providing an opportunity to maximise interest earned by the funds. (2) The signatories were the Morawa District Hospital board members prior to the amalgamation of all the hospital boards in 2002. The Minister for Health is now the board and there is a delegated authority to the Director General of the Department of Health for the management and operation of the funds. Therefore, the funds could be moved either by the minister, as the hospital board, or the director general acting under delegation from the hospital board. (3) Amalgamation of the funds is an administrative function only and in no way impacts on the obligations of the WA Country Health Service to use those funds for the purposes intended and in accordance with the terms of the bequest. In other words, the funds can legally only be used for the purpose for which they were bequeathed to the hospital. I can guarantee that will be the case. (4) The WA Country Health Service is required under the Financial Administration and Audit Act to report on all special purpose accounts annually. Any specific reporting requirements outlined in the bequest will also be complied with. All special purpose accounts are subject to audit by the Auditor General.
(3) If the funds are moved to a special purpose account, what guarantees can the minister give the signatories to the trust account that the funds will be used as intended by the deceased? (4) What accountability will the department have to the signatories of the trust fund that the bequest is being applied to Morawa District Hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: There was a notation in the bequest, which was made back in 1982, that the individual concerned remain anonymous, so I will not in the answer refer to the name of the person who made the bequest to the hospital. (1) The WA Country Health Service implemented regional consolidation of all special purpose bank accounts in 2002-03, creating administrative efficiencies, greater accountability and providing an opportunity to maximise interest earned by the funds. (2) The signatories were the Morawa District Hospital board members prior to the amalgamation of all the hospital boards in 2002. The Minister for Health is now the board and there is a delegated authority to the Director General of the Department of Health for the management and operation of the funds. Therefore, the funds could be moved either by the minister, as the hospital board, or the director general acting under delegation from the hospital board. (3) Amalgamation of the funds is an administrative function only and in no way impacts on the obligations of the WA Country Health Service to use those funds for the purposes intended and in accordance with the terms of the bequest. In other words, the funds can legally only be used for the purpose for which they were bequeathed to the hospital. I can guarantee that will be the case. (4) The WA Country Health Service is required under the Financial Administration and Audit Act to report on all special purpose accounts annually. Any specific reporting requirements outlined in the bequest will also be complied with. All special purpose accounts are subject to audit by the Auditor General.
(4) What accountability will the department have to the signatories of the trust fund that the bequest is being applied to Morawa District Hospital? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: There was a notation in the bequest, which was made back in 1982, that the individual concerned remain anonymous, so I will not in the answer refer to the name of the person who made the bequest to the hospital. (1) The WA Country Health Service implemented regional consolidation of all special purpose bank accounts in 2002-03, creating administrative efficiencies, greater accountability and providing an opportunity to maximise interest earned by the funds. (2) The signatories were the Morawa District Hospital board members prior to the amalgamation of all the hospital boards in 2002. The Minister for Health is now the board and there is a delegated authority to the Director General of the Department of Health for the management and operation of the funds. Therefore, the funds could be moved either by the minister, as the hospital board, or the director general acting under delegation from the hospital board. (3) Amalgamation of the funds is an administrative function only and in no way impacts on the obligations of the WA Country Health Service to use those funds for the purposes intended and in accordance with the terms of the bequest. In other words, the funds can legally only be used for the purpose for which they were bequeathed to the hospital. I can guarantee that will be the case. (4) The WA Country Health Service is required under the Financial Administration and Audit Act to report on all special purpose accounts annually. Any specific reporting requirements outlined in the bequest will also be complied with. All special purpose accounts are subject to audit by the Auditor General.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: There was a notation in the bequest, which was made back in 1982, that the individual concerned remain anonymous, so I will not in the answer refer to the name of the person who made the bequest to the hospital. (1) The WA Country Health Service implemented regional consolidation of all special purpose bank accounts in 2002-03, creating administrative efficiencies, greater accountability and providing an opportunity to maximise interest earned by the funds. (2) The signatories were the Morawa District Hospital board members prior to the amalgamation of all the hospital boards in 2002. The Minister for Health is now the board and there is a delegated authority to the Director General of the Department of Health for the management and operation of the funds. Therefore, the funds could be moved either by the minister, as the hospital board, or the director general acting under delegation from the hospital board. (3) Amalgamation of the funds is an administrative function only and in no way impacts on the obligations of the WA Country Health Service to use those funds for the purposes intended and in accordance with the terms of the bequest. In other words, the funds can legally only be used for the purpose for which they were bequeathed to the hospital. I can guarantee that will be the case. (4) The WA Country Health Service is required under the Financial Administration and Audit Act to report on all special purpose accounts annually. Any specific reporting requirements outlined in the bequest will also be complied with. All special purpose accounts are subject to audit by the Auditor General.
There was a notation in the bequest, which was made back in 1982, that the individual concerned remain anonymous, so I will not in the answer refer to the name of the person who made the bequest to the hospital. (1) The WA Country Health Service implemented regional consolidation of all special purpose bank accounts in 2002-03, creating administrative efficiencies, greater accountability and providing an opportunity to maximise interest earned by the funds. (2) The signatories were the Morawa District Hospital board members prior to the amalgamation of all the hospital boards in 2002. The Minister for Health is now the board and there is a delegated authority to the Director General of the Department of Health for the management and operation of the funds. Therefore, the funds could be moved either by the minister, as the hospital board, or the director general acting under delegation from the hospital board. (3) Amalgamation of the funds is an administrative function only and in no way impacts on the obligations of the WA Country Health Service to use those funds for the purposes intended and in accordance with the terms of the bequest. In other words, the funds can legally only be used for the purpose for which they were bequeathed to the hospital. I can guarantee that will be the case. (4) The WA Country Health Service is required under the Financial Administration and Audit Act to report on all special purpose accounts annually. Any specific reporting requirements outlined in the bequest will also be complied with. All special purpose accounts are subject to audit by the Auditor General.
(1) The WA Country Health Service implemented regional consolidation of all special purpose bank accounts in 2002-03, creating administrative efficiencies, greater accountability and providing an opportunity to maximise interest earned by the funds. (2) The signatories were the Morawa District Hospital board members prior to the amalgamation of all the hospital boards in 2002. The Minister for Health is now the board and there is a delegated authority to the Director General of the Department of Health for the management and operation of the funds. Therefore, the funds could be moved either by the minister, as the hospital board, or the director general acting under delegation from the hospital board. (3) Amalgamation of the funds is an administrative function only and in no way impacts on the obligations of the WA Country Health Service to use those funds for the purposes intended and in accordance with the terms of the bequest. In other words, the funds can legally only be used for the purpose for which they were bequeathed to the hospital. I can guarantee that will be the case. (4) The WA Country Health Service is required under the Financial Administration and Audit Act to report on all special purpose accounts annually. Any specific reporting requirements outlined in the bequest will also be complied with. All special purpose accounts are subject to audit by the Auditor General.
(2) The signatories were the Morawa District Hospital board members prior to the amalgamation of all the hospital boards in 2002. The Minister for Health is now the board and there is a delegated authority to the Director General of the Department of Health for the management and operation of the funds. Therefore, the funds could be moved either by the minister, as the hospital board, or the director general acting under delegation from the hospital board. (3) Amalgamation of the funds is an administrative function only and in no way impacts on the obligations of the WA Country Health Service to use those funds for the purposes intended and in accordance with the terms of the bequest. In other words, the funds can legally only be used for the purpose for which they were bequeathed to the hospital. I can guarantee that will be the case. (4) The WA Country Health Service is required under the Financial Administration and Audit Act to report on all special purpose accounts annually. Any specific reporting requirements outlined in the bequest will also be complied with. All special purpose accounts are subject to audit by the Auditor General.
(3) Amalgamation of the funds is an administrative function only and in no way impacts on the obligations of the WA Country Health Service to use those funds for the purposes intended and in accordance with the terms of the bequest. In other words, the funds can legally only be used for the purpose for which they were bequeathed to the hospital. I can guarantee that will be the case. (4) The WA Country Health Service is required under the Financial Administration and Audit Act to report on all special purpose accounts annually. Any specific reporting requirements outlined in the bequest will also be complied with. All special purpose accounts are subject to audit by the Auditor General.
(4) The WA Country Health Service is required under the Financial Administration and Audit Act to report on all special purpose accounts annually. Any specific reporting requirements outlined in the bequest will also be complied with. All special purpose accounts are subject to audit by the Auditor General.
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