❓ Opposition Leader McGowan questions Premier Barnett about low morale, bullying, and high turnover within the Department of Premier and Cabinet, as well as the reasons for Murray Cowper's dismissal from cabinet. Barnett defends the department's morale and explains Cowper's removal as a result of cabinet selection.
AnsweredQoN 266Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT OF THE PREMIER AND CABINET; MEMBER FOR
MURRAY–WELLINGTON
266. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I refer to the troubling reports of low morale, bullying and
a culture of cover-ups within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, with a
turnover rate of approximately 24 per cent. While I am at it, I am referring
also to the sacking of Murray Cowper.
(1) Is the
Premier not concerned that in two years 151 people have left the Department of
the Premier and Cabinet with the reasons cited including a poor work culture?
(2) Can the
Premier guarantee that no intimidation has taken place within the Department of
the Premier and Cabinet on his watch that would negatively impact on potential
whistleblowers coming forward?
(3) Why was Mr Cowper sacked?
MURRAY–WELLINGTON
266. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I refer to the troubling reports of low morale, bullying and
a culture of cover-ups within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, with a
turnover rate of approximately 24 per cent. While I am at it, I am referring
also to the sacking of Murray Cowper.
(1) Is the
Premier not concerned that in two years 151 people have left the Department of
the Premier and Cabinet with the reasons cited including a poor work culture?
(2) Can the
Premier guarantee that no intimidation has taken place within the Department of
the Premier and Cabinet on his watch that would negatively impact on potential
whistleblowers coming forward?
(3) Why was Mr Cowper sacked?
AnswerView source ↗
The last question had no context to the other questions.
Mr M. McGowan : I
mentioned it at the start.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It does not matter. It is still out of context.
(1)–(2)
I think morale is actually very strong in the Department of the Premier and
Cabinet. Bear in mind that the department is also the employer of all
electorate staff. That is the biggest component of the department's
staff and there is a turnover in that area. There has been some turnover within
the main part of the department itself. We are seeing a modernising of the
public sector and agencies, the promotion of new and talented people into
senior positions and the recruitment of people into the public sector
jurisdiction. I will not name them, but the development of the next group of
directors general is underway and they are being trained through the Department
of the Premier and Cabinet and Treasury. That long-term planning is important
for the public sector.
(3) With
respect to the Leader of the Opposition's comments about the member for
Murray–Wellington, when the new cabinet was selected, he missed out.
Mr
M. McGowan : Why?
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The leader of the Liberal Party, in consultation with other
leaders, gets to select the cabinet, and that was the cabinet that was chosen.
I think he was pretty unlucky, but that is the way it fell.
Mr M. McGowan : I
mentioned it at the start.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It does not matter. It is still out of context.
(1)–(2)
I think morale is actually very strong in the Department of the Premier and
Cabinet. Bear in mind that the department is also the employer of all
electorate staff. That is the biggest component of the department's
staff and there is a turnover in that area. There has been some turnover within
the main part of the department itself. We are seeing a modernising of the
public sector and agencies, the promotion of new and talented people into
senior positions and the recruitment of people into the public sector
jurisdiction. I will not name them, but the development of the next group of
directors general is underway and they are being trained through the Department
of the Premier and Cabinet and Treasury. That long-term planning is important
for the public sector.
(3) With
respect to the Leader of the Opposition's comments about the member for
Murray–Wellington, when the new cabinet was selected, he missed out.
Mr
M. McGowan : Why?
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The leader of the Liberal Party, in consultation with other
leaders, gets to select the cabinet, and that was the cabinet that was chosen.
I think he was pretty unlucky, but that is the way it fell.
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