❓ Opposition questions the Premier's handling of a staff member under investigation for corruption, specifically why the staff member wasn't immediately suspended. The Premier defends the decision, citing due process and adherence to the Public Sector Management Act.
AnsweredQoN 632Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the Premier to allegations of corruption against the former chief of staff to the Minister for Racing and Gaming and the fact that the director general of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet was aware that Mr Burkett was under investigation for corruption for at least six days before Mr Burkett resigned, and I ask - (1) How can the Premier justify allowing such a senior and influential employee to remain in his position for six days after it was clear that he was being investigated by the Corruption and Crime Commission? (2) Why did the Premier not insist that Mr Burkett be suspended or resign immediately after he became aware of the Corruption and Crime Commission investigation? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) The answer to that question is quite simple, and it is called due process. Under the Public Sector Management Act there are very clear provisions dealing with these issues. Mr Mal Wauchope was the employer of Mr Burkett and he was following those processes according to the laws of Western Australia and according to the procedures that are established under the Public Sector Management Act. There is no doubt that that was done properly. Before the disciplinary process was completed, Mr Burkett had resigned. That is the fact of the matter. That is the way we govern this State, and we expect our public servants and chief executive officers to follow due process. They did follow due process in this instance. When I looked at Hansard yesterday it was interesting to compare the way in which this side of the House deals with these types of issues and the way the Leader of the Opposition dealt with a very serious allegation about Western Power. Rather than go to the authorities to have the matter investigated properly, he took it to the media. They are his standards. Our standards are to follow the laws of Western Australia.
(1) How can the Premier justify allowing such a senior and influential employee to remain in his position for six days after it was clear that he was being investigated by the Corruption and Crime Commission? (2) Why did the Premier not insist that Mr Burkett be suspended or resign immediately after he became aware of the Corruption and Crime Commission investigation? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The answer to that question is quite simple, and it is called due process. Under the Public Sector Management Act there are very clear provisions dealing with these issues. Mr Mal Wauchope was the employer of Mr Burkett and he was following those processes according to the laws of Western Australia and according to the procedures that are established under the Public Sector Management Act. There is no doubt that that was done properly. Before the disciplinary process was completed, Mr Burkett had resigned. That is the fact of the matter. That is the way we govern this State, and we expect our public servants and chief executive officers to follow due process. They did follow due process in this instance. When I looked at Hansard yesterday it was interesting to compare the way in which this side of the House deals with these types of issues and the way the Leader of the Opposition dealt with a very serious allegation about Western Power. Rather than go to the authorities to have the matter investigated properly, he took it to the media. They are his standards. Our standards are to follow the laws of Western Australia.
(2) Why did the Premier not insist that Mr Burkett be suspended or resign immediately after he became aware of the Corruption and Crime Commission investigation? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The answer to that question is quite simple, and it is called due process. Under the Public Sector Management Act there are very clear provisions dealing with these issues. Mr Mal Wauchope was the employer of Mr Burkett and he was following those processes according to the laws of Western Australia and according to the procedures that are established under the Public Sector Management Act. There is no doubt that that was done properly. Before the disciplinary process was completed, Mr Burkett had resigned. That is the fact of the matter. That is the way we govern this State, and we expect our public servants and chief executive officers to follow due process. They did follow due process in this instance. When I looked at Hansard yesterday it was interesting to compare the way in which this side of the House deals with these types of issues and the way the Leader of the Opposition dealt with a very serious allegation about Western Power. Rather than go to the authorities to have the matter investigated properly, he took it to the media. They are his standards. Our standards are to follow the laws of Western Australia.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The answer to that question is quite simple, and it is called due process. Under the Public Sector Management Act there are very clear provisions dealing with these issues. Mr Mal Wauchope was the employer of Mr Burkett and he was following those processes according to the laws of Western Australia and according to the procedures that are established under the Public Sector Management Act. There is no doubt that that was done properly. Before the disciplinary process was completed, Mr Burkett had resigned. That is the fact of the matter. That is the way we govern this State, and we expect our public servants and chief executive officers to follow due process. They did follow due process in this instance. When I looked at Hansard yesterday it was interesting to compare the way in which this side of the House deals with these types of issues and the way the Leader of the Opposition dealt with a very serious allegation about Western Power. Rather than go to the authorities to have the matter investigated properly, he took it to the media. They are his standards. Our standards are to follow the laws of Western Australia.
(1)-(2) The answer to that question is quite simple, and it is called due process. Under the Public Sector Management Act there are very clear provisions dealing with these issues. Mr Mal Wauchope was the employer of Mr Burkett and he was following those processes according to the laws of Western Australia and according to the procedures that are established under the Public Sector Management Act. There is no doubt that that was done properly. Before the disciplinary process was completed, Mr Burkett had resigned. That is the fact of the matter. That is the way we govern this State, and we expect our public servants and chief executive officers to follow due process. They did follow due process in this instance. When I looked at Hansard yesterday it was interesting to compare the way in which this side of the House deals with these types of issues and the way the Leader of the Opposition dealt with a very serious allegation about Western Power. Rather than go to the authorities to have the matter investigated properly, he took it to the media. They are his standards. Our standards are to follow the laws of Western Australia.
(1) How can the Premier justify allowing such a senior and influential employee to remain in his position for six days after it was clear that he was being investigated by the Corruption and Crime Commission? (2) Why did the Premier not insist that Mr Burkett be suspended or resign immediately after he became aware of the Corruption and Crime Commission investigation? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The answer to that question is quite simple, and it is called due process. Under the Public Sector Management Act there are very clear provisions dealing with these issues. Mr Mal Wauchope was the employer of Mr Burkett and he was following those processes according to the laws of Western Australia and according to the procedures that are established under the Public Sector Management Act. There is no doubt that that was done properly. Before the disciplinary process was completed, Mr Burkett had resigned. That is the fact of the matter. That is the way we govern this State, and we expect our public servants and chief executive officers to follow due process. They did follow due process in this instance. When I looked at Hansard yesterday it was interesting to compare the way in which this side of the House deals with these types of issues and the way the Leader of the Opposition dealt with a very serious allegation about Western Power. Rather than go to the authorities to have the matter investigated properly, he took it to the media. They are his standards. Our standards are to follow the laws of Western Australia.
(2) Why did the Premier not insist that Mr Burkett be suspended or resign immediately after he became aware of the Corruption and Crime Commission investigation? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The answer to that question is quite simple, and it is called due process. Under the Public Sector Management Act there are very clear provisions dealing with these issues. Mr Mal Wauchope was the employer of Mr Burkett and he was following those processes according to the laws of Western Australia and according to the procedures that are established under the Public Sector Management Act. There is no doubt that that was done properly. Before the disciplinary process was completed, Mr Burkett had resigned. That is the fact of the matter. That is the way we govern this State, and we expect our public servants and chief executive officers to follow due process. They did follow due process in this instance. When I looked at Hansard yesterday it was interesting to compare the way in which this side of the House deals with these types of issues and the way the Leader of the Opposition dealt with a very serious allegation about Western Power. Rather than go to the authorities to have the matter investigated properly, he took it to the media. They are his standards. Our standards are to follow the laws of Western Australia.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The answer to that question is quite simple, and it is called due process. Under the Public Sector Management Act there are very clear provisions dealing with these issues. Mr Mal Wauchope was the employer of Mr Burkett and he was following those processes according to the laws of Western Australia and according to the procedures that are established under the Public Sector Management Act. There is no doubt that that was done properly. Before the disciplinary process was completed, Mr Burkett had resigned. That is the fact of the matter. That is the way we govern this State, and we expect our public servants and chief executive officers to follow due process. They did follow due process in this instance. When I looked at Hansard yesterday it was interesting to compare the way in which this side of the House deals with these types of issues and the way the Leader of the Opposition dealt with a very serious allegation about Western Power. Rather than go to the authorities to have the matter investigated properly, he took it to the media. They are his standards. Our standards are to follow the laws of Western Australia.
(1)-(2) The answer to that question is quite simple, and it is called due process. Under the Public Sector Management Act there are very clear provisions dealing with these issues. Mr Mal Wauchope was the employer of Mr Burkett and he was following those processes according to the laws of Western Australia and according to the procedures that are established under the Public Sector Management Act. There is no doubt that that was done properly. Before the disciplinary process was completed, Mr Burkett had resigned. That is the fact of the matter. That is the way we govern this State, and we expect our public servants and chief executive officers to follow due process. They did follow due process in this instance. When I looked at Hansard yesterday it was interesting to compare the way in which this side of the House deals with these types of issues and the way the Leader of the Opposition dealt with a very serious allegation about Western Power. Rather than go to the authorities to have the matter investigated properly, he took it to the media. They are his standards. Our standards are to follow the laws of Western Australia.
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