❓ A parliamentary question regarding the closure of Department for Community Development (DCD) offices, resource allocation, and potential risks to children, followed by the Minister's response addressing staff concerns and resource allocation.
AnsweredQoN 138Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - MIDLAND OFFICE
I refer to the minister’s visit last week to the Midland office of the Department for Community Development. (1) Can the minister confirm that, since his visit, a further three DCD offices have closed their doors? (2) Can he also confirm that, under the Labor government, the number of high level bureaucrats in the department who earn more than $100 000 a year has increased from one to 16? (3) Will he concede that this failure to allocate resources to frontline staff, and the subsequent office closures, are putting children at risk here and now? Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN
I refer to the minister’s visit last week to the Midland office of the Department for Community Development. (1) Can the minister confirm that, since his visit, a further three DCD offices have closed their doors? (2) Can he also confirm that, under the Labor government, the number of high level bureaucrats in the department who earn more than $100 000 a year has increased from one to 16? (3) Will he concede that this failure to allocate resources to frontline staff, and the subsequent office closures, are putting children at risk here and now? Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. (1)-(3) I can confirm that I went to Midland last Wednesday. I was very interested to meet the staff of the Department for Community Development there, and they raised a number of concerns. I was able to meet with them for a good amount of time to listen first-hand to their concerns. One of the union representative’s comments was that the problems are not about money; they are about issues relating to the work levels they are experiencing. The staff are concerned to continue to do the job - the very good job - that they do, and that all DCD officers do. Their issue was not about wages, it was about resourcing. When I spoke to those members, they highlighted a range of issues that they have been experiencing. One aspect that a member of the Midland office and members of other offices with whom I have spoken recognise is the increased demand on their resources and actual hours of work. That is of concern to me and I want to ensure that we reduce the benchmark caseloads to a more manageable level. Another interesting matter that was highlighted to me was the comparison of resourcing provided during the tenure of this government since its election to this place with that provided when the member for Darling Range was in government. It was interesting to note that more than 150 new staff have been added to the department during the tenure of this government. That is interesting when we compare the time the member for Darling Range was in government with our time in government. Increases in full-time equivalent employees during the term of the member for Darling Range as a minister were minimal, if not non-existent. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : That is quite a shameful statistic of the tenure of the member for Darling Range as a minister and, indeed, as a member of the former government. The SPEAKER : I ask the minister to take a seat. I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During our tenure, we have employed more than 150 new staff members. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
(1) Can the minister confirm that, since his visit, a further three DCD offices have closed their doors? (2) Can he also confirm that, under the Labor government, the number of high level bureaucrats in the department who earn more than $100 000 a year has increased from one to 16? (3) Will he concede that this failure to allocate resources to frontline staff, and the subsequent office closures, are putting children at risk here and now? Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. (1)-(3) I can confirm that I went to Midland last Wednesday. I was very interested to meet the staff of the Department for Community Development there, and they raised a number of concerns. I was able to meet with them for a good amount of time to listen first-hand to their concerns. One of the union representative’s comments was that the problems are not about money; they are about issues relating to the work levels they are experiencing. The staff are concerned to continue to do the job - the very good job - that they do, and that all DCD officers do. Their issue was not about wages, it was about resourcing. When I spoke to those members, they highlighted a range of issues that they have been experiencing. One aspect that a member of the Midland office and members of other offices with whom I have spoken recognise is the increased demand on their resources and actual hours of work. That is of concern to me and I want to ensure that we reduce the benchmark caseloads to a more manageable level. Another interesting matter that was highlighted to me was the comparison of resourcing provided during the tenure of this government since its election to this place with that provided when the member for Darling Range was in government. It was interesting to note that more than 150 new staff have been added to the department during the tenure of this government. That is interesting when we compare the time the member for Darling Range was in government with our time in government. Increases in full-time equivalent employees during the term of the member for Darling Range as a minister were minimal, if not non-existent. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : That is quite a shameful statistic of the tenure of the member for Darling Range as a minister and, indeed, as a member of the former government. The SPEAKER : I ask the minister to take a seat. I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During our tenure, we have employed more than 150 new staff members. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
(2) Can he also confirm that, under the Labor government, the number of high level bureaucrats in the department who earn more than $100 000 a year has increased from one to 16? (3) Will he concede that this failure to allocate resources to frontline staff, and the subsequent office closures, are putting children at risk here and now? Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. (1)-(3) I can confirm that I went to Midland last Wednesday. I was very interested to meet the staff of the Department for Community Development there, and they raised a number of concerns. I was able to meet with them for a good amount of time to listen first-hand to their concerns. One of the union representative’s comments was that the problems are not about money; they are about issues relating to the work levels they are experiencing. The staff are concerned to continue to do the job - the very good job - that they do, and that all DCD officers do. Their issue was not about wages, it was about resourcing. When I spoke to those members, they highlighted a range of issues that they have been experiencing. One aspect that a member of the Midland office and members of other offices with whom I have spoken recognise is the increased demand on their resources and actual hours of work. That is of concern to me and I want to ensure that we reduce the benchmark caseloads to a more manageable level. Another interesting matter that was highlighted to me was the comparison of resourcing provided during the tenure of this government since its election to this place with that provided when the member for Darling Range was in government. It was interesting to note that more than 150 new staff have been added to the department during the tenure of this government. That is interesting when we compare the time the member for Darling Range was in government with our time in government. Increases in full-time equivalent employees during the term of the member for Darling Range as a minister were minimal, if not non-existent. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : That is quite a shameful statistic of the tenure of the member for Darling Range as a minister and, indeed, as a member of the former government. The SPEAKER : I ask the minister to take a seat. I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During our tenure, we have employed more than 150 new staff members. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
(3) Will he concede that this failure to allocate resources to frontline staff, and the subsequent office closures, are putting children at risk here and now? Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. (1)-(3) I can confirm that I went to Midland last Wednesday. I was very interested to meet the staff of the Department for Community Development there, and they raised a number of concerns. I was able to meet with them for a good amount of time to listen first-hand to their concerns. One of the union representative’s comments was that the problems are not about money; they are about issues relating to the work levels they are experiencing. The staff are concerned to continue to do the job - the very good job - that they do, and that all DCD officers do. Their issue was not about wages, it was about resourcing. When I spoke to those members, they highlighted a range of issues that they have been experiencing. One aspect that a member of the Midland office and members of other offices with whom I have spoken recognise is the increased demand on their resources and actual hours of work. That is of concern to me and I want to ensure that we reduce the benchmark caseloads to a more manageable level. Another interesting matter that was highlighted to me was the comparison of resourcing provided during the tenure of this government since its election to this place with that provided when the member for Darling Range was in government. It was interesting to note that more than 150 new staff have been added to the department during the tenure of this government. That is interesting when we compare the time the member for Darling Range was in government with our time in government. Increases in full-time equivalent employees during the term of the member for Darling Range as a minister were minimal, if not non-existent. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : That is quite a shameful statistic of the tenure of the member for Darling Range as a minister and, indeed, as a member of the former government. The SPEAKER : I ask the minister to take a seat. I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During our tenure, we have employed more than 150 new staff members. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. (1)-(3) I can confirm that I went to Midland last Wednesday. I was very interested to meet the staff of the Department for Community Development there, and they raised a number of concerns. I was able to meet with them for a good amount of time to listen first-hand to their concerns. One of the union representative’s comments was that the problems are not about money; they are about issues relating to the work levels they are experiencing. The staff are concerned to continue to do the job - the very good job - that they do, and that all DCD officers do. Their issue was not about wages, it was about resourcing. When I spoke to those members, they highlighted a range of issues that they have been experiencing. One aspect that a member of the Midland office and members of other offices with whom I have spoken recognise is the increased demand on their resources and actual hours of work. That is of concern to me and I want to ensure that we reduce the benchmark caseloads to a more manageable level. Another interesting matter that was highlighted to me was the comparison of resourcing provided during the tenure of this government since its election to this place with that provided when the member for Darling Range was in government. It was interesting to note that more than 150 new staff have been added to the department during the tenure of this government. That is interesting when we compare the time the member for Darling Range was in government with our time in government. Increases in full-time equivalent employees during the term of the member for Darling Range as a minister were minimal, if not non-existent. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : That is quite a shameful statistic of the tenure of the member for Darling Range as a minister and, indeed, as a member of the former government. The SPEAKER : I ask the minister to take a seat. I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During our tenure, we have employed more than 150 new staff members. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. (1)-(3) I can confirm that I went to Midland last Wednesday. I was very interested to meet the staff of the Department for Community Development there, and they raised a number of concerns. I was able to meet with them for a good amount of time to listen first-hand to their concerns. One of the union representative’s comments was that the problems are not about money; they are about issues relating to the work levels they are experiencing. The staff are concerned to continue to do the job - the very good job - that they do, and that all DCD officers do. Their issue was not about wages, it was about resourcing. When I spoke to those members, they highlighted a range of issues that they have been experiencing. One aspect that a member of the Midland office and members of other offices with whom I have spoken recognise is the increased demand on their resources and actual hours of work. That is of concern to me and I want to ensure that we reduce the benchmark caseloads to a more manageable level. Another interesting matter that was highlighted to me was the comparison of resourcing provided during the tenure of this government since its election to this place with that provided when the member for Darling Range was in government. It was interesting to note that more than 150 new staff have been added to the department during the tenure of this government. That is interesting when we compare the time the member for Darling Range was in government with our time in government. Increases in full-time equivalent employees during the term of the member for Darling Range as a minister were minimal, if not non-existent. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : That is quite a shameful statistic of the tenure of the member for Darling Range as a minister and, indeed, as a member of the former government. The SPEAKER : I ask the minister to take a seat. I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During our tenure, we have employed more than 150 new staff members. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
(1)-(3) I can confirm that I went to Midland last Wednesday. I was very interested to meet the staff of the Department for Community Development there, and they raised a number of concerns. I was able to meet with them for a good amount of time to listen first-hand to their concerns. One of the union representative’s comments was that the problems are not about money; they are about issues relating to the work levels they are experiencing. The staff are concerned to continue to do the job - the very good job - that they do, and that all DCD officers do. Their issue was not about wages, it was about resourcing. When I spoke to those members, they highlighted a range of issues that they have been experiencing. One aspect that a member of the Midland office and members of other offices with whom I have spoken recognise is the increased demand on their resources and actual hours of work. That is of concern to me and I want to ensure that we reduce the benchmark caseloads to a more manageable level. Another interesting matter that was highlighted to me was the comparison of resourcing provided during the tenure of this government since its election to this place with that provided when the member for Darling Range was in government. It was interesting to note that more than 150 new staff have been added to the department during the tenure of this government. That is interesting when we compare the time the member for Darling Range was in government with our time in government. Increases in full-time equivalent employees during the term of the member for Darling Range as a minister were minimal, if not non-existent. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : That is quite a shameful statistic of the tenure of the member for Darling Range as a minister and, indeed, as a member of the former government. The SPEAKER : I ask the minister to take a seat. I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During our tenure, we have employed more than 150 new staff members. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : That is quite a shameful statistic of the tenure of the member for Darling Range as a minister and, indeed, as a member of the former government. The SPEAKER : I ask the minister to take a seat. I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During our tenure, we have employed more than 150 new staff members. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
The SPEAKER : I ask the minister to take a seat. I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During our tenure, we have employed more than 150 new staff members. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During our tenure, we have employed more than 150 new staff members. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
(1) Can the minister confirm that, since his visit, a further three DCD offices have closed their doors? (2) Can he also confirm that, under the Labor government, the number of high level bureaucrats in the department who earn more than $100 000 a year has increased from one to 16? (3) Will he concede that this failure to allocate resources to frontline staff, and the subsequent office closures, are putting children at risk here and now? Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. (1)-(3) I can confirm that I went to Midland last Wednesday. I was very interested to meet the staff of the Department for Community Development there, and they raised a number of concerns. I was able to meet with them for a good amount of time to listen first-hand to their concerns. One of the union representative’s comments was that the problems are not about money; they are about issues relating to the work levels they are experiencing. The staff are concerned to continue to do the job - the very good job - that they do, and that all DCD officers do. Their issue was not about wages, it was about resourcing. When I spoke to those members, they highlighted a range of issues that they have been experiencing. One aspect that a member of the Midland office and members of other offices with whom I have spoken recognise is the increased demand on their resources and actual hours of work. That is of concern to me and I want to ensure that we reduce the benchmark caseloads to a more manageable level. Another interesting matter that was highlighted to me was the comparison of resourcing provided during the tenure of this government since its election to this place with that provided when the member for Darling Range was in government. It was interesting to note that more than 150 new staff have been added to the department during the tenure of this government. That is interesting when we compare the time the member for Darling Range was in government with our time in government. Increases in full-time equivalent employees during the term of the member for Darling Range as a minister were minimal, if not non-existent. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : That is quite a shameful statistic of the tenure of the member for Darling Range as a minister and, indeed, as a member of the former government. The SPEAKER : I ask the minister to take a seat. I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During our tenure, we have employed more than 150 new staff members. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
(2) Can he also confirm that, under the Labor government, the number of high level bureaucrats in the department who earn more than $100 000 a year has increased from one to 16? (3) Will he concede that this failure to allocate resources to frontline staff, and the subsequent office closures, are putting children at risk here and now? Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. (1)-(3) I can confirm that I went to Midland last Wednesday. I was very interested to meet the staff of the Department for Community Development there, and they raised a number of concerns. I was able to meet with them for a good amount of time to listen first-hand to their concerns. One of the union representative’s comments was that the problems are not about money; they are about issues relating to the work levels they are experiencing. The staff are concerned to continue to do the job - the very good job - that they do, and that all DCD officers do. Their issue was not about wages, it was about resourcing. When I spoke to those members, they highlighted a range of issues that they have been experiencing. One aspect that a member of the Midland office and members of other offices with whom I have spoken recognise is the increased demand on their resources and actual hours of work. That is of concern to me and I want to ensure that we reduce the benchmark caseloads to a more manageable level. Another interesting matter that was highlighted to me was the comparison of resourcing provided during the tenure of this government since its election to this place with that provided when the member for Darling Range was in government. It was interesting to note that more than 150 new staff have been added to the department during the tenure of this government. That is interesting when we compare the time the member for Darling Range was in government with our time in government. Increases in full-time equivalent employees during the term of the member for Darling Range as a minister were minimal, if not non-existent. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : That is quite a shameful statistic of the tenure of the member for Darling Range as a minister and, indeed, as a member of the former government. The SPEAKER : I ask the minister to take a seat. I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During our tenure, we have employed more than 150 new staff members. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
(3) Will he concede that this failure to allocate resources to frontline staff, and the subsequent office closures, are putting children at risk here and now? Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. (1)-(3) I can confirm that I went to Midland last Wednesday. I was very interested to meet the staff of the Department for Community Development there, and they raised a number of concerns. I was able to meet with them for a good amount of time to listen first-hand to their concerns. One of the union representative’s comments was that the problems are not about money; they are about issues relating to the work levels they are experiencing. The staff are concerned to continue to do the job - the very good job - that they do, and that all DCD officers do. Their issue was not about wages, it was about resourcing. When I spoke to those members, they highlighted a range of issues that they have been experiencing. One aspect that a member of the Midland office and members of other offices with whom I have spoken recognise is the increased demand on their resources and actual hours of work. That is of concern to me and I want to ensure that we reduce the benchmark caseloads to a more manageable level. Another interesting matter that was highlighted to me was the comparison of resourcing provided during the tenure of this government since its election to this place with that provided when the member for Darling Range was in government. It was interesting to note that more than 150 new staff have been added to the department during the tenure of this government. That is interesting when we compare the time the member for Darling Range was in government with our time in government. Increases in full-time equivalent employees during the term of the member for Darling Range as a minister were minimal, if not non-existent. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : That is quite a shameful statistic of the tenure of the member for Darling Range as a minister and, indeed, as a member of the former government. The SPEAKER : I ask the minister to take a seat. I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During our tenure, we have employed more than 150 new staff members. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. (1)-(3) I can confirm that I went to Midland last Wednesday. I was very interested to meet the staff of the Department for Community Development there, and they raised a number of concerns. I was able to meet with them for a good amount of time to listen first-hand to their concerns. One of the union representative’s comments was that the problems are not about money; they are about issues relating to the work levels they are experiencing. The staff are concerned to continue to do the job - the very good job - that they do, and that all DCD officers do. Their issue was not about wages, it was about resourcing. When I spoke to those members, they highlighted a range of issues that they have been experiencing. One aspect that a member of the Midland office and members of other offices with whom I have spoken recognise is the increased demand on their resources and actual hours of work. That is of concern to me and I want to ensure that we reduce the benchmark caseloads to a more manageable level. Another interesting matter that was highlighted to me was the comparison of resourcing provided during the tenure of this government since its election to this place with that provided when the member for Darling Range was in government. It was interesting to note that more than 150 new staff have been added to the department during the tenure of this government. That is interesting when we compare the time the member for Darling Range was in government with our time in government. Increases in full-time equivalent employees during the term of the member for Darling Range as a minister were minimal, if not non-existent. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : That is quite a shameful statistic of the tenure of the member for Darling Range as a minister and, indeed, as a member of the former government. The SPEAKER : I ask the minister to take a seat. I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During our tenure, we have employed more than 150 new staff members. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
I thank the member for Darling Range for his question. (1)-(3) I can confirm that I went to Midland last Wednesday. I was very interested to meet the staff of the Department for Community Development there, and they raised a number of concerns. I was able to meet with them for a good amount of time to listen first-hand to their concerns. One of the union representative’s comments was that the problems are not about money; they are about issues relating to the work levels they are experiencing. The staff are concerned to continue to do the job - the very good job - that they do, and that all DCD officers do. Their issue was not about wages, it was about resourcing. When I spoke to those members, they highlighted a range of issues that they have been experiencing. One aspect that a member of the Midland office and members of other offices with whom I have spoken recognise is the increased demand on their resources and actual hours of work. That is of concern to me and I want to ensure that we reduce the benchmark caseloads to a more manageable level. Another interesting matter that was highlighted to me was the comparison of resourcing provided during the tenure of this government since its election to this place with that provided when the member for Darling Range was in government. It was interesting to note that more than 150 new staff have been added to the department during the tenure of this government. That is interesting when we compare the time the member for Darling Range was in government with our time in government. Increases in full-time equivalent employees during the term of the member for Darling Range as a minister were minimal, if not non-existent. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : That is quite a shameful statistic of the tenure of the member for Darling Range as a minister and, indeed, as a member of the former government. The SPEAKER : I ask the minister to take a seat. I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During our tenure, we have employed more than 150 new staff members. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
(1)-(3) I can confirm that I went to Midland last Wednesday. I was very interested to meet the staff of the Department for Community Development there, and they raised a number of concerns. I was able to meet with them for a good amount of time to listen first-hand to their concerns. One of the union representative’s comments was that the problems are not about money; they are about issues relating to the work levels they are experiencing. The staff are concerned to continue to do the job - the very good job - that they do, and that all DCD officers do. Their issue was not about wages, it was about resourcing. When I spoke to those members, they highlighted a range of issues that they have been experiencing. One aspect that a member of the Midland office and members of other offices with whom I have spoken recognise is the increased demand on their resources and actual hours of work. That is of concern to me and I want to ensure that we reduce the benchmark caseloads to a more manageable level. Another interesting matter that was highlighted to me was the comparison of resourcing provided during the tenure of this government since its election to this place with that provided when the member for Darling Range was in government. It was interesting to note that more than 150 new staff have been added to the department during the tenure of this government. That is interesting when we compare the time the member for Darling Range was in government with our time in government. Increases in full-time equivalent employees during the term of the member for Darling Range as a minister were minimal, if not non-existent. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : That is quite a shameful statistic of the tenure of the member for Darling Range as a minister and, indeed, as a member of the former government. The SPEAKER : I ask the minister to take a seat. I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During our tenure, we have employed more than 150 new staff members. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : That is quite a shameful statistic of the tenure of the member for Darling Range as a minister and, indeed, as a member of the former government. The SPEAKER : I ask the minister to take a seat. I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During our tenure, we have employed more than 150 new staff members. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
The SPEAKER : I ask the minister to take a seat. I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During our tenure, we have employed more than 150 new staff members. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : During our tenure, we have employed more than 150 new staff members. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : I will ensure that we consider how we can increase the number of staff and reduce those benchmark staff ratios; I have put a very good case to the Treasurer for the need to do that. I will need to check the elements of the second part of the member’s question, as I do not have that information in front of me. I am aware that there will be a meeting with the staff in some of the other offices and that there have already been meetings with some members in those offices. During yesterday’s discussions, the department gave an assurance that the offices would remain open for “business as usual”, while allowing the staff to discuss their concerns. Some short-term strategies have been put in place, including streamlining processes in the new legislation, as there are some issues about the new legislation that these staff members are keen to have resolved. We are also identifying other ways to address the backlog of work that they reported to me. I am confident that we will address the concerns that were raised with me in my personal meetings with the staff at Midland and, indeed, the concerns of other DCD staff throughout the state.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.