Opposition Leader McGowan questions the Premier about engaging the Public Sector Commissioner to investigate bullying allegations within the Premier's office, prompted by public statements from other members. The Premier denies the need, stating no formal complaint has been lodged.

AnsweredQoN 698Legislative Assembly
Asked
20 September 2016
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

DEPARTMENT OF THE PREMIER AND CABINET —
STAFF BULLYING — ALLEGATIONS
698. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question.
Considering the serious allegations made by Hon Helen Morton and by the member for Murray–Wellington, will
the Public Sector Commissioner now be engaged to investigate the claims of
bullying, in particular, that have emanated in respect of the Premier's
office?

AnswerView source ↗

The answer is no, because there has
been no complaint.
Mr
M. McGowan : They made one publicly.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We are all grown-up people in this chamber. We work in a hothouse
environment; we work with time frames; we work in a contentious and competitive
area.
Mr
P.B. Watson interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : If any member of Parliament on either side, any staff member
in a ministerial office, or indeed the office of the Leader of the Opposition,
or any electorate office staff member, came to me formally, with a formal
complaint of inappropriate activity or bullying, I would refer it to the
appropriate authority, which in most cases would be either the head of the
Department of the Premier and Cabinet or the Public Sector Commissioner,
depending on the circumstances. No-one has done so—no-one.

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