❓ Opposition questions the Premier regarding the refusal to release a review into the conduct of government staff following an incident involving the Member for Vasse. The Premier defends the decision, citing protection of public servants and triviality of accusations.
AnsweredQoN 482Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MEMBER FOR VASSE — ROAD TRAFFIC INCIDENT —
CONDUCT OF GOVERNMENT STAFF —REVIEW
482. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I refer to the review into the
conduct and actions of government employed staff following the member for Vasse's
unfortunate journey home on 23 February to which we have been refused access
through freedom of information.
(1) Is it not
true that the director general of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet,
Peter Conran, made the decision on whether to release the review that he
himself undertook on this topic, and is that appropriate?
(2) In the
interests of open and accountable government, will the Premier now release and
table this report?
CONDUCT OF GOVERNMENT STAFF —REVIEW
482. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I refer to the review into the
conduct and actions of government employed staff following the member for Vasse's
unfortunate journey home on 23 February to which we have been refused access
through freedom of information.
(1) Is it not
true that the director general of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet,
Peter Conran, made the decision on whether to release the review that he
himself undertook on this topic, and is that appropriate?
(2) In the
interests of open and accountable government, will the Premier now release and
table this report?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) Why
does the Leader of the Opposition pursue government employees? It has been
basically a principle in government not to do that in a parliamentary sense. It
has been a longstanding convention.
Ms
R. Saffioti interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The review—because accusations were made principally
by the opposition against staff members, and accordingly the director general
of the —
Mr
M. McGowan interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, it is a waste of time.
The
SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Accordingly, as the employer, the director general of the
Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Peter Conran, did a review into the
conduct of the staff member. He shared and discussed that with the Public
Sector Commissioner and it was referred to the State Solicitor, and all agreed
that the conduct, if you like, had not been inappropriate.
Mr
M. McGowan : Release it!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : That is what was agreed. What is it that the Leader of the
Opposition is after?
Mr
M. McGowan : Release the report!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition has been given the CCTV footage,
I gave detailed explanations —
Mr
M. McGowan : You're covering up!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Here we go again—covering up! Covering what up? What
am I covering up?
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the report was into the conduct of a member of
staff to ensure that that member of staff had behaved appropriately. And that
member of staff did behave appropriately, according to that review, which was
confirmed by the Public Sector Commissioner and by the State Solicitor, who
described the accusations made as profoundly trivial, or words to that effect—profoundly
trivial.
Mr
D.J. Kelly : The whole matter is profoundly trivial, is it?
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The member for Bassendean must ask his leader, who has
pursued this matter for months and who continues to allege a cover-up, and who
goes out on the weekend and forgets one little detail—that is, to tell
the media that his staff have already viewed the information. And members
opposite talk about cover-up!
does the Leader of the Opposition pursue government employees? It has been
basically a principle in government not to do that in a parliamentary sense. It
has been a longstanding convention.
Ms
R. Saffioti interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The review—because accusations were made principally
by the opposition against staff members, and accordingly the director general
of the —
Mr
M. McGowan interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, it is a waste of time.
The
SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Accordingly, as the employer, the director general of the
Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Peter Conran, did a review into the
conduct of the staff member. He shared and discussed that with the Public
Sector Commissioner and it was referred to the State Solicitor, and all agreed
that the conduct, if you like, had not been inappropriate.
Mr
M. McGowan : Release it!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : That is what was agreed. What is it that the Leader of the
Opposition is after?
Mr
M. McGowan : Release the report!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition has been given the CCTV footage,
I gave detailed explanations —
Mr
M. McGowan : You're covering up!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Here we go again—covering up! Covering what up? What
am I covering up?
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the report was into the conduct of a member of
staff to ensure that that member of staff had behaved appropriately. And that
member of staff did behave appropriately, according to that review, which was
confirmed by the Public Sector Commissioner and by the State Solicitor, who
described the accusations made as profoundly trivial, or words to that effect—profoundly
trivial.
Mr
D.J. Kelly : The whole matter is profoundly trivial, is it?
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The member for Bassendean must ask his leader, who has
pursued this matter for months and who continues to allege a cover-up, and who
goes out on the weekend and forgets one little detail—that is, to tell
the media that his staff have already viewed the information. And members
opposite talk about cover-up!
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