❓ Opposition questions the Attorney General regarding the resignation of Michelle Hullett from the Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) and the failure to retain heads of the CCC. The Attorney General deflects responsibility, citing the independent appointment process.
AnsweredQoN 486Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CORRUPTION AND CRIME COMMISSION — MICHELLE HULLETT’s RESIGNATION
I refer to the decision by acting commissioner Michelle Hullett to resign from her position at the Corruption and Crime Commission. (1) What are the exact reasons for Ms Hullett resigning after only six months in her position? (2) When was the Attorney General informed of these issues, and what steps did he take on being informed? (3) Why did he not report this resignation to the house as soon as he was informed? (4) How has he failed to retain three heads of the CCC since January? Mr C.C. PORTER
I refer to the decision by acting commissioner Michelle Hullett to resign from her position at the Corruption and Crime Commission. (1) What are the exact reasons for Ms Hullett resigning after only six months in her position? (2) When was the Attorney General informed of these issues, and what steps did he take on being informed? (3) Why did he not report this resignation to the house as soon as he was informed? (4) How has he failed to retain three heads of the CCC since January? Mr C.C. PORTER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(4) What reasons has Michelle Hullett cited or what reasons exist for her resigning her acting commissioner position? I am unaware; I have not been informed of those. Michelle Hullett is a very competent lawyer and counsel and we were delighted when she took the position on. People will come and go from those acting commissioner positions as they have done in the past. I have not been given any specific information, that my office or I are aware of, about why Michelle Hullett has determined to resign. When was I informed? I can get the exact date for the member for Rockingham, but it would have been in the vicinity of a week or so ago. I was informed by one of my staff members that there was the intention of Ms Hullett to resign from that position. What steps did I take at that stage? I am not the person with the responsibility for filling those positions. This goes to the issue, particularly, of the Commissioner’s position, because the final part of the member’s question was something to the effect of my responsibility for the resignation of three people from three positions at the CCC, including the Commissioner, who of course resigned at the end of his term, which was probably not unexpected. Therefore, I do not know whether I was responsible for him leaving at that — Mr E.S. Ripper : There is a fair amount of drifting and filling of positions. Mr C.C. PORTER : I will come to that in a moment. But if the member for Rockingham’s question is whether I feel a sense of responsibility that His Honour Len Roberts-Smith served his full term as Corruption and Crime Commissioner and did not take on a new term, the answer is, no, I do not. That is his prerogative and he did an excellent job whilst he was there. Mr E.S. Ripper : And the other two cases? Mr C.C. PORTER : Again, I put this to members with respect to the commissioner: the process under the Corruption and Crime Commission Act is that the executive government, through the Premier, does not simply appoint; we do not identify someone and appoint them. A committee is convened, of which the Chief Justice is the chair. Under the legislation, that committee is tasked with providing three candidates to government. We select one of those candidates. That candidate, as I understand it under the legislation, has to have bipartisan support expressed through all the members of the Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission, of which the member for Perth is a member, acceding to that person taking on the role of Commissioner. That process has been underway, but pursuant to the terms of the act, the executive government does not—neither the Premier nor I—involve ourselves in any substantive sense in the Chief Justice’s formation of a committee, counselling of candidates and then recommendation of three candidates to the executive government. That process has not happened yet. I was recently briefed that that process is now more positive than it has been in the last several months. We cannot pressgang someone into that position. Obviously, for a position of that importance, someone has to be qualified, they have to be keen, they have to be identified by the Chief Justice’s committee and they have to be willing, ready, able and competent to take on that position. The member’s question is whether I have responsibility for resignations or the non-appointment, as yet, of a new commissioner. I do not feel responsible for that because I have no direct line management or control over such things. Is it a desirable situation? Not particularly, and I would hope that we receive names very soon from the Chief Justice’s committee to allow for the appointment of a commissioner. The process that gave rise to Ms Hullett’s appointment as acting commissioner will now commence afresh because of the fact that she has resigned, but that is not a process that I have put in train. I agree that the situation could be improved upon, and it will be.
(1) What are the exact reasons for Ms Hullett resigning after only six months in her position? (2) When was the Attorney General informed of these issues, and what steps did he take on being informed? (3) Why did he not report this resignation to the house as soon as he was informed? (4) How has he failed to retain three heads of the CCC since January? Mr C.C. PORTER replied: (1)–(4) What reasons has Michelle Hullett cited or what reasons exist for her resigning her acting commissioner position? I am unaware; I have not been informed of those. Michelle Hullett is a very competent lawyer and counsel and we were delighted when she took the position on. People will come and go from those acting commissioner positions as they have done in the past. I have not been given any specific information, that my office or I are aware of, about why Michelle Hullett has determined to resign. When was I informed? I can get the exact date for the member for Rockingham, but it would have been in the vicinity of a week or so ago. I was informed by one of my staff members that there was the intention of Ms Hullett to resign from that position. What steps did I take at that stage? I am not the person with the responsibility for filling those positions. This goes to the issue, particularly, of the Commissioner’s position, because the final part of the member’s question was something to the effect of my responsibility for the resignation of three people from three positions at the CCC, including the Commissioner, who of course resigned at the end of his term, which was probably not unexpected. Therefore, I do not know whether I was responsible for him leaving at that — Mr E.S. Ripper : There is a fair amount of drifting and filling of positions. Mr C.C. PORTER : I will come to that in a moment. But if the member for Rockingham’s question is whether I feel a sense of responsibility that His Honour Len Roberts-Smith served his full term as Corruption and Crime Commissioner and did not take on a new term, the answer is, no, I do not. That is his prerogative and he did an excellent job whilst he was there. Mr E.S. Ripper : And the other two cases? Mr C.C. PORTER : Again, I put this to members with respect to the commissioner: the process under the Corruption and Crime Commission Act is that the executive government, through the Premier, does not simply appoint; we do not identify someone and appoint them. A committee is convened, of which the Chief Justice is the chair. Under the legislation, that committee is tasked with providing three candidates to government. We select one of those candidates. That candidate, as I understand it under the legislation, has to have bipartisan support expressed through all the members of the Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission, of which the member for Perth is a member, acceding to that person taking on the role of Commissioner. That process has been underway, but pursuant to the terms of the act, the executive government does not—neither the Premier nor I—involve ourselves in any substantive sense in the Chief Justice’s formation of a committee, counselling of candidates and then recommendation of three candidates to the executive government. That process has not happened yet. I was recently briefed that that process is now more positive than it has been in the last several months. We cannot pressgang someone into that position. Obviously, for a position of that importance, someone has to be qualified, they have to be keen, they have to be identified by the Chief Justice’s committee and they have to be willing, ready, able and competent to take on that position. The member’s question is whether I have responsibility for resignations or the non-appointment, as yet, of a new commissioner. I do not feel responsible for that because I have no direct line management or control over such things. Is it a desirable situation? Not particularly, and I would hope that we receive names very soon from the Chief Justice’s committee to allow for the appointment of a commissioner. The process that gave rise to Ms Hullett’s appointment as acting commissioner will now commence afresh because of the fact that she has resigned, but that is not a process that I have put in train. I agree that the situation could be improved upon, and it will be.
(2) When was the Attorney General informed of these issues, and what steps did he take on being informed? (3) Why did he not report this resignation to the house as soon as he was informed? (4) How has he failed to retain three heads of the CCC since January? Mr C.C. PORTER replied: (1)–(4) What reasons has Michelle Hullett cited or what reasons exist for her resigning her acting commissioner position? I am unaware; I have not been informed of those. Michelle Hullett is a very competent lawyer and counsel and we were delighted when she took the position on. People will come and go from those acting commissioner positions as they have done in the past. I have not been given any specific information, that my office or I are aware of, about why Michelle Hullett has determined to resign. When was I informed? I can get the exact date for the member for Rockingham, but it would have been in the vicinity of a week or so ago. I was informed by one of my staff members that there was the intention of Ms Hullett to resign from that position. What steps did I take at that stage? I am not the person with the responsibility for filling those positions. This goes to the issue, particularly, of the Commissioner’s position, because the final part of the member’s question was something to the effect of my responsibility for the resignation of three people from three positions at the CCC, including the Commissioner, who of course resigned at the end of his term, which was probably not unexpected. Therefore, I do not know whether I was responsible for him leaving at that — Mr E.S. Ripper : There is a fair amount of drifting and filling of positions. Mr C.C. PORTER : I will come to that in a moment. But if the member for Rockingham’s question is whether I feel a sense of responsibility that His Honour Len Roberts-Smith served his full term as Corruption and Crime Commissioner and did not take on a new term, the answer is, no, I do not. That is his prerogative and he did an excellent job whilst he was there. Mr E.S. Ripper : And the other two cases? Mr C.C. PORTER : Again, I put this to members with respect to the commissioner: the process under the Corruption and Crime Commission Act is that the executive government, through the Premier, does not simply appoint; we do not identify someone and appoint them. A committee is convened, of which the Chief Justice is the chair. Under the legislation, that committee is tasked with providing three candidates to government. We select one of those candidates. That candidate, as I understand it under the legislation, has to have bipartisan support expressed through all the members of the Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission, of which the member for Perth is a member, acceding to that person taking on the role of Commissioner. That process has been underway, but pursuant to the terms of the act, the executive government does not—neither the Premier nor I—involve ourselves in any substantive sense in the Chief Justice’s formation of a committee, counselling of candidates and then recommendation of three candidates to the executive government. That process has not happened yet. I was recently briefed that that process is now more positive than it has been in the last several months. We cannot pressgang someone into that position. Obviously, for a position of that importance, someone has to be qualified, they have to be keen, they have to be identified by the Chief Justice’s committee and they have to be willing, ready, able and competent to take on that position. The member’s question is whether I have responsibility for resignations or the non-appointment, as yet, of a new commissioner. I do not feel responsible for that because I have no direct line management or control over such things. Is it a desirable situation? Not particularly, and I would hope that we receive names very soon from the Chief Justice’s committee to allow for the appointment of a commissioner. The process that gave rise to Ms Hullett’s appointment as acting commissioner will now commence afresh because of the fact that she has resigned, but that is not a process that I have put in train. I agree that the situation could be improved upon, and it will be.
(3) Why did he not report this resignation to the house as soon as he was informed? (4) How has he failed to retain three heads of the CCC since January? Mr C.C. PORTER replied: (1)–(4) What reasons has Michelle Hullett cited or what reasons exist for her resigning her acting commissioner position? I am unaware; I have not been informed of those. Michelle Hullett is a very competent lawyer and counsel and we were delighted when she took the position on. People will come and go from those acting commissioner positions as they have done in the past. I have not been given any specific information, that my office or I are aware of, about why Michelle Hullett has determined to resign. When was I informed? I can get the exact date for the member for Rockingham, but it would have been in the vicinity of a week or so ago. I was informed by one of my staff members that there was the intention of Ms Hullett to resign from that position. What steps did I take at that stage? I am not the person with the responsibility for filling those positions. This goes to the issue, particularly, of the Commissioner’s position, because the final part of the member’s question was something to the effect of my responsibility for the resignation of three people from three positions at the CCC, including the Commissioner, who of course resigned at the end of his term, which was probably not unexpected. Therefore, I do not know whether I was responsible for him leaving at that — Mr E.S. Ripper : There is a fair amount of drifting and filling of positions. Mr C.C. PORTER : I will come to that in a moment. But if the member for Rockingham’s question is whether I feel a sense of responsibility that His Honour Len Roberts-Smith served his full term as Corruption and Crime Commissioner and did not take on a new term, the answer is, no, I do not. That is his prerogative and he did an excellent job whilst he was there. Mr E.S. Ripper : And the other two cases? Mr C.C. PORTER : Again, I put this to members with respect to the commissioner: the process under the Corruption and Crime Commission Act is that the executive government, through the Premier, does not simply appoint; we do not identify someone and appoint them. A committee is convened, of which the Chief Justice is the chair. Under the legislation, that committee is tasked with providing three candidates to government. We select one of those candidates. That candidate, as I understand it under the legislation, has to have bipartisan support expressed through all the members of the Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission, of which the member for Perth is a member, acceding to that person taking on the role of Commissioner. That process has been underway, but pursuant to the terms of the act, the executive government does not—neither the Premier nor I—involve ourselves in any substantive sense in the Chief Justice’s formation of a committee, counselling of candidates and then recommendation of three candidates to the executive government. That process has not happened yet. I was recently briefed that that process is now more positive than it has been in the last several months. We cannot pressgang someone into that position. Obviously, for a position of that importance, someone has to be qualified, they have to be keen, they have to be identified by the Chief Justice’s committee and they have to be willing, ready, able and competent to take on that position. The member’s question is whether I have responsibility for resignations or the non-appointment, as yet, of a new commissioner. I do not feel responsible for that because I have no direct line management or control over such things. Is it a desirable situation? Not particularly, and I would hope that we receive names very soon from the Chief Justice’s committee to allow for the appointment of a commissioner. The process that gave rise to Ms Hullett’s appointment as acting commissioner will now commence afresh because of the fact that she has resigned, but that is not a process that I have put in train. I agree that the situation could be improved upon, and it will be.
(4) How has he failed to retain three heads of the CCC since January? Mr C.C. PORTER replied: (1)–(4) What reasons has Michelle Hullett cited or what reasons exist for her resigning her acting commissioner position? I am unaware; I have not been informed of those. Michelle Hullett is a very competent lawyer and counsel and we were delighted when she took the position on. People will come and go from those acting commissioner positions as they have done in the past. I have not been given any specific information, that my office or I are aware of, about why Michelle Hullett has determined to resign. When was I informed? I can get the exact date for the member for Rockingham, but it would have been in the vicinity of a week or so ago. I was informed by one of my staff members that there was the intention of Ms Hullett to resign from that position. What steps did I take at that stage? I am not the person with the responsibility for filling those positions. This goes to the issue, particularly, of the Commissioner’s position, because the final part of the member’s question was something to the effect of my responsibility for the resignation of three people from three positions at the CCC, including the Commissioner, who of course resigned at the end of his term, which was probably not unexpected. Therefore, I do not know whether I was responsible for him leaving at that — Mr E.S. Ripper : There is a fair amount of drifting and filling of positions. Mr C.C. PORTER : I will come to that in a moment. But if the member for Rockingham’s question is whether I feel a sense of responsibility that His Honour Len Roberts-Smith served his full term as Corruption and Crime Commissioner and did not take on a new term, the answer is, no, I do not. That is his prerogative and he did an excellent job whilst he was there. Mr E.S. Ripper : And the other two cases? Mr C.C. PORTER : Again, I put this to members with respect to the commissioner: the process under the Corruption and Crime Commission Act is that the executive government, through the Premier, does not simply appoint; we do not identify someone and appoint them. A committee is convened, of which the Chief Justice is the chair. Under the legislation, that committee is tasked with providing three candidates to government. We select one of those candidates. That candidate, as I understand it under the legislation, has to have bipartisan support expressed through all the members of the Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission, of which the member for Perth is a member, acceding to that person taking on the role of Commissioner. That process has been underway, but pursuant to the terms of the act, the executive government does not—neither the Premier nor I—involve ourselves in any substantive sense in the Chief Justice’s formation of a committee, counselling of candidates and then recommendation of three candidates to the executive government. That process has not happened yet. I was recently briefed that that process is now more positive than it has been in the last several months. We cannot pressgang someone into that position. Obviously, for a position of that importance, someone has to be qualified, they have to be keen, they have to be identified by the Chief Justice’s committee and they have to be willing, ready, able and competent to take on that position. The member’s question is whether I have responsibility for resignations or the non-appointment, as yet, of a new commissioner. I do not feel responsible for that because I have no direct line management or control over such things. Is it a desirable situation? Not particularly, and I would hope that we receive names very soon from the Chief Justice’s committee to allow for the appointment of a commissioner. The process that gave rise to Ms Hullett’s appointment as acting commissioner will now commence afresh because of the fact that she has resigned, but that is not a process that I have put in train. I agree that the situation could be improved upon, and it will be.
Mr C.C. PORTER replied: (1)–(4) What reasons has Michelle Hullett cited or what reasons exist for her resigning her acting commissioner position? I am unaware; I have not been informed of those. Michelle Hullett is a very competent lawyer and counsel and we were delighted when she took the position on. People will come and go from those acting commissioner positions as they have done in the past. I have not been given any specific information, that my office or I are aware of, about why Michelle Hullett has determined to resign. When was I informed? I can get the exact date for the member for Rockingham, but it would have been in the vicinity of a week or so ago. I was informed by one of my staff members that there was the intention of Ms Hullett to resign from that position. What steps did I take at that stage? I am not the person with the responsibility for filling those positions. This goes to the issue, particularly, of the Commissioner’s position, because the final part of the member’s question was something to the effect of my responsibility for the resignation of three people from three positions at the CCC, including the Commissioner, who of course resigned at the end of his term, which was probably not unexpected. Therefore, I do not know whether I was responsible for him leaving at that — Mr E.S. Ripper : There is a fair amount of drifting and filling of positions. Mr C.C. PORTER : I will come to that in a moment. But if the member for Rockingham’s question is whether I feel a sense of responsibility that His Honour Len Roberts-Smith served his full term as Corruption and Crime Commissioner and did not take on a new term, the answer is, no, I do not. That is his prerogative and he did an excellent job whilst he was there. Mr E.S. Ripper : And the other two cases? Mr C.C. PORTER : Again, I put this to members with respect to the commissioner: the process under the Corruption and Crime Commission Act is that the executive government, through the Premier, does not simply appoint; we do not identify someone and appoint them. A committee is convened, of which the Chief Justice is the chair. Under the legislation, that committee is tasked with providing three candidates to government. We select one of those candidates. That candidate, as I understand it under the legislation, has to have bipartisan support expressed through all the members of the Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission, of which the member for Perth is a member, acceding to that person taking on the role of Commissioner. That process has been underway, but pursuant to the terms of the act, the executive government does not—neither the Premier nor I—involve ourselves in any substantive sense in the Chief Justice’s formation of a committee, counselling of candidates and then recommendation of three candidates to the executive government. That process has not happened yet. I was recently briefed that that process is now more positive than it has been in the last several months. We cannot pressgang someone into that position. Obviously, for a position of that importance, someone has to be qualified, they have to be keen, they have to be identified by the Chief Justice’s committee and they have to be willing, ready, able and competent to take on that position. The member’s question is whether I have responsibility for resignations or the non-appointment, as yet, of a new commissioner. I do not feel responsible for that because I have no direct line management or control over such things. Is it a desirable situation? Not particularly, and I would hope that we receive names very soon from the Chief Justice’s committee to allow for the appointment of a commissioner. The process that gave rise to Ms Hullett’s appointment as acting commissioner will now commence afresh because of the fact that she has resigned, but that is not a process that I have put in train. I agree that the situation could be improved upon, and it will be.
(1)–(4) What reasons has Michelle Hullett cited or what reasons exist for her resigning her acting commissioner position? I am unaware; I have not been informed of those. Michelle Hullett is a very competent lawyer and counsel and we were delighted when she took the position on. People will come and go from those acting commissioner positions as they have done in the past. I have not been given any specific information, that my office or I are aware of, about why Michelle Hullett has determined to resign. When was I informed? I can get the exact date for the member for Rockingham, but it would have been in the vicinity of a week or so ago. I was informed by one of my staff members that there was the intention of Ms Hullett to resign from that position. What steps did I take at that stage? I am not the person with the responsibility for filling those positions. This goes to the issue, particularly, of the Commissioner’s position, because the final part of the member’s question was something to the effect of my responsibility for the resignation of three people from three positions at the CCC, including the Commissioner, who of course resigned at the end of his term, which was probably not unexpected. Therefore, I do not know whether I was responsible for him leaving at that — Mr E.S. Ripper : There is a fair amount of drifting and filling of positions. Mr C.C. PORTER : I will come to that in a moment. But if the member for Rockingham’s question is whether I feel a sense of responsibility that His Honour Len Roberts-Smith served his full term as Corruption and Crime Commissioner and did not take on a new term, the answer is, no, I do not. That is his prerogative and he did an excellent job whilst he was there. Mr E.S. Ripper : And the other two cases? Mr C.C. PORTER : Again, I put this to members with respect to the commissioner: the process under the Corruption and Crime Commission Act is that the executive government, through the Premier, does not simply appoint; we do not identify someone and appoint them. A committee is convened, of which the Chief Justice is the chair. Under the legislation, that committee is tasked with providing three candidates to government. We select one of those candidates. That candidate, as I understand it under the legislation, has to have bipartisan support expressed through all the members of the Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission, of which the member for Perth is a member, acceding to that person taking on the role of Commissioner. That process has been underway, but pursuant to the terms of the act, the executive government does not—neither the Premier nor I—involve ourselves in any substantive sense in the Chief Justice’s formation of a committee, counselling of candidates and then recommendation of three candidates to the executive government. That process has not happened yet. I was recently briefed that that process is now more positive than it has been in the last several months. We cannot pressgang someone into that position. Obviously, for a position of that importance, someone has to be qualified, they have to be keen, they have to be identified by the Chief Justice’s committee and they have to be willing, ready, able and competent to take on that position. The member’s question is whether I have responsibility for resignations or the non-appointment, as yet, of a new commissioner. I do not feel responsible for that because I have no direct line management or control over such things. Is it a desirable situation? Not particularly, and I would hope that we receive names very soon from the Chief Justice’s committee to allow for the appointment of a commissioner. The process that gave rise to Ms Hullett’s appointment as acting commissioner will now commence afresh because of the fact that she has resigned, but that is not a process that I have put in train. I agree that the situation could be improved upon, and it will be.
What steps did I take at that stage? I am not the person with the responsibility for filling those positions. This goes to the issue, particularly, of the Commissioner’s position, because the final part of the member’s question was something to the effect of my responsibility for the resignation of three people from three positions at the CCC, including the Commissioner, who of course resigned at the end of his term, which was probably not unexpected. Therefore, I do not know whether I was responsible for him leaving at that —
Mr C.C. PORTER : I will come to that in a moment. But if the member for Rockingham’s question is whether I feel a sense of responsibility that His Honour Len Roberts-Smith served his full term as Corruption and Crime Commissioner and did not take on a new term, the answer is, no, I do not. That is his prerogative and he did an excellent job whilst he was there. Mr E.S. Ripper : And the other two cases? Mr C.C. PORTER : Again, I put this to members with respect to the commissioner: the process under the Corruption and Crime Commission Act is that the executive government, through the Premier, does not simply appoint; we do not identify someone and appoint them. A committee is convened, of which the Chief Justice is the chair. Under the legislation, that committee is tasked with providing three candidates to government. We select one of those candidates. That candidate, as I understand it under the legislation, has to have bipartisan support expressed through all the members of the Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission, of which the member for Perth is a member, acceding to that person taking on the role of Commissioner. That process has been underway, but pursuant to the terms of the act, the executive government does not—neither the Premier nor I—involve ourselves in any substantive sense in the Chief Justice’s formation of a committee, counselling of candidates and then recommendation of three candidates to the executive government. That process has not happened yet. I was recently briefed that that process is now more positive than it has been in the last several months. We cannot pressgang someone into that position. Obviously, for a position of that importance, someone has to be qualified, they have to be keen, they have to be identified by the Chief Justice’s committee and they have to be willing, ready, able and competent to take on that position. The member’s question is whether I have responsibility for resignations or the non-appointment, as yet, of a new commissioner. I do not feel responsible for that because I have no direct line management or control over such things. Is it a desirable situation? Not particularly, and I would hope that we receive names very soon from the Chief Justice’s committee to allow for the appointment of a commissioner. The process that gave rise to Ms Hullett’s appointment as acting commissioner will now commence afresh because of the fact that she has resigned, but that is not a process that I have put in train. I agree that the situation could be improved upon, and it will be.
Mr E.S. Ripper : And the other two cases? Mr C.C. PORTER : Again, I put this to members with respect to the commissioner: the process under the Corruption and Crime Commission Act is that the executive government, through the Premier, does not simply appoint; we do not identify someone and appoint them. A committee is convened, of which the Chief Justice is the chair. Under the legislation, that committee is tasked with providing three candidates to government. We select one of those candidates. That candidate, as I understand it under the legislation, has to have bipartisan support expressed through all the members of the Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission, of which the member for Perth is a member, acceding to that person taking on the role of Commissioner. That process has been underway, but pursuant to the terms of the act, the executive government does not—neither the Premier nor I—involve ourselves in any substantive sense in the Chief Justice’s formation of a committee, counselling of candidates and then recommendation of three candidates to the executive government. That process has not happened yet. I was recently briefed that that process is now more positive than it has been in the last several months. We cannot pressgang someone into that position. Obviously, for a position of that importance, someone has to be qualified, they have to be keen, they have to be identified by the Chief Justice’s committee and they have to be willing, ready, able and competent to take on that position. The member’s question is whether I have responsibility for resignations or the non-appointment, as yet, of a new commissioner. I do not feel responsible for that because I have no direct line management or control over such things. Is it a desirable situation? Not particularly, and I would hope that we receive names very soon from the Chief Justice’s committee to allow for the appointment of a commissioner. The process that gave rise to Ms Hullett’s appointment as acting commissioner will now commence afresh because of the fact that she has resigned, but that is not a process that I have put in train. I agree that the situation could be improved upon, and it will be.
Mr C.C. PORTER : Again, I put this to members with respect to the commissioner: the process under the Corruption and Crime Commission Act is that the executive government, through the Premier, does not simply appoint; we do not identify someone and appoint them. A committee is convened, of which the Chief Justice is the chair. Under the legislation, that committee is tasked with providing three candidates to government. We select one of those candidates. That candidate, as I understand it under the legislation, has to have bipartisan support expressed through all the members of the Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission, of which the member for Perth is a member, acceding to that person taking on the role of Commissioner. That process has been underway, but pursuant to the terms of the act, the executive government does not—neither the Premier nor I—involve ourselves in any substantive sense in the Chief Justice’s formation of a committee, counselling of candidates and then recommendation of three candidates to the executive government. That process has not happened yet. I was recently briefed that that process is now more positive than it has been in the last several months. We cannot pressgang someone into that position. Obviously, for a position of that importance, someone has to be qualified, they have to be keen, they have to be identified by the Chief Justice’s committee and they have to be willing, ready, able and competent to take on that position. The member’s question is whether I have responsibility for resignations or the non-appointment, as yet, of a new commissioner. I do not feel responsible for that because I have no direct line management or control over such things. Is it a desirable situation? Not particularly, and I would hope that we receive names very soon from the Chief Justice’s committee to allow for the appointment of a commissioner. The process that gave rise to Ms Hullett’s appointment as acting commissioner will now commence afresh because of the fact that she has resigned, but that is not a process that I have put in train. I agree that the situation could be improved upon, and it will be.
(1) What are the exact reasons for Ms Hullett resigning after only six months in her position? (2) When was the Attorney General informed of these issues, and what steps did he take on being informed? (3) Why did he not report this resignation to the house as soon as he was informed? (4) How has he failed to retain three heads of the CCC since January? Mr C.C. PORTER replied: (1)–(4) What reasons has Michelle Hullett cited or what reasons exist for her resigning her acting commissioner position? I am unaware; I have not been informed of those. Michelle Hullett is a very competent lawyer and counsel and we were delighted when she took the position on. People will come and go from those acting commissioner positions as they have done in the past. I have not been given any specific information, that my office or I are aware of, about why Michelle Hullett has determined to resign. When was I informed? I can get the exact date for the member for Rockingham, but it would have been in the vicinity of a week or so ago. I was informed by one of my staff members that there was the intention of Ms Hullett to resign from that position. What steps did I take at that stage? I am not the person with the responsibility for filling those positions. This goes to the issue, particularly, of the Commissioner’s position, because the final part of the member’s question was something to the effect of my responsibility for the resignation of three people from three positions at the CCC, including the Commissioner, who of course resigned at the end of his term, which was probably not unexpected. Therefore, I do not know whether I was responsible for him leaving at that — Mr E.S. Ripper : There is a fair amount of drifting and filling of positions. Mr C.C. PORTER : I will come to that in a moment. But if the member for Rockingham’s question is whether I feel a sense of responsibility that His Honour Len Roberts-Smith served his full term as Corruption and Crime Commissioner and did not take on a new term, the answer is, no, I do not. That is his prerogative and he did an excellent job whilst he was there. Mr E.S. Ripper : And the other two cases? Mr C.C. PORTER : Again, I put this to members with respect to the commissioner: the process under the Corruption and Crime Commission Act is that the executive government, through the Premier, does not simply appoint; we do not identify someone and appoint them. A committee is convened, of which the Chief Justice is the chair. Under the legislation, that committee is tasked with providing three candidates to government. We select one of those candidates. That candidate, as I understand it under the legislation, has to have bipartisan support expressed through all the members of the Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission, of which the member for Perth is a member, acceding to that person taking on the role of Commissioner. That process has been underway, but pursuant to the terms of the act, the executive government does not—neither the Premier nor I—involve ourselves in any substantive sense in the Chief Justice’s formation of a committee, counselling of candidates and then recommendation of three candidates to the executive government. That process has not happened yet. I was recently briefed that that process is now more positive than it has been in the last several months. We cannot pressgang someone into that position. Obviously, for a position of that importance, someone has to be qualified, they have to be keen, they have to be identified by the Chief Justice’s committee and they have to be willing, ready, able and competent to take on that position. The member’s question is whether I have responsibility for resignations or the non-appointment, as yet, of a new commissioner. I do not feel responsible for that because I have no direct line management or control over such things. Is it a desirable situation? Not particularly, and I would hope that we receive names very soon from the Chief Justice’s committee to allow for the appointment of a commissioner. The process that gave rise to Ms Hullett’s appointment as acting commissioner will now commence afresh because of the fact that she has resigned, but that is not a process that I have put in train. I agree that the situation could be improved upon, and it will be.
(2) When was the Attorney General informed of these issues, and what steps did he take on being informed? (3) Why did he not report this resignation to the house as soon as he was informed? (4) How has he failed to retain three heads of the CCC since January? Mr C.C. PORTER replied: (1)–(4) What reasons has Michelle Hullett cited or what reasons exist for her resigning her acting commissioner position? I am unaware; I have not been informed of those. Michelle Hullett is a very competent lawyer and counsel and we were delighted when she took the position on. People will come and go from those acting commissioner positions as they have done in the past. I have not been given any specific information, that my office or I are aware of, about why Michelle Hullett has determined to resign. When was I informed? I can get the exact date for the member for Rockingham, but it would have been in the vicinity of a week or so ago. I was informed by one of my staff members that there was the intention of Ms Hullett to resign from that position. What steps did I take at that stage? I am not the person with the responsibility for filling those positions. This goes to the issue, particularly, of the Commissioner’s position, because the final part of the member’s question was something to the effect of my responsibility for the resignation of three people from three positions at the CCC, including the Commissioner, who of course resigned at the end of his term, which was probably not unexpected. Therefore, I do not know whether I was responsible for him leaving at that — Mr E.S. Ripper : There is a fair amount of drifting and filling of positions. Mr C.C. PORTER : I will come to that in a moment. But if the member for Rockingham’s question is whether I feel a sense of responsibility that His Honour Len Roberts-Smith served his full term as Corruption and Crime Commissioner and did not take on a new term, the answer is, no, I do not. That is his prerogative and he did an excellent job whilst he was there. Mr E.S. Ripper : And the other two cases? Mr C.C. PORTER : Again, I put this to members with respect to the commissioner: the process under the Corruption and Crime Commission Act is that the executive government, through the Premier, does not simply appoint; we do not identify someone and appoint them. A committee is convened, of which the Chief Justice is the chair. Under the legislation, that committee is tasked with providing three candidates to government. We select one of those candidates. That candidate, as I understand it under the legislation, has to have bipartisan support expressed through all the members of the Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission, of which the member for Perth is a member, acceding to that person taking on the role of Commissioner. That process has been underway, but pursuant to the terms of the act, the executive government does not—neither the Premier nor I—involve ourselves in any substantive sense in the Chief Justice’s formation of a committee, counselling of candidates and then recommendation of three candidates to the executive government. That process has not happened yet. I was recently briefed that that process is now more positive than it has been in the last several months. We cannot pressgang someone into that position. Obviously, for a position of that importance, someone has to be qualified, they have to be keen, they have to be identified by the Chief Justice’s committee and they have to be willing, ready, able and competent to take on that position. The member’s question is whether I have responsibility for resignations or the non-appointment, as yet, of a new commissioner. I do not feel responsible for that because I have no direct line management or control over such things. Is it a desirable situation? Not particularly, and I would hope that we receive names very soon from the Chief Justice’s committee to allow for the appointment of a commissioner. The process that gave rise to Ms Hullett’s appointment as acting commissioner will now commence afresh because of the fact that she has resigned, but that is not a process that I have put in train. I agree that the situation could be improved upon, and it will be.
(3) Why did he not report this resignation to the house as soon as he was informed? (4) How has he failed to retain three heads of the CCC since January? Mr C.C. PORTER replied: (1)–(4) What reasons has Michelle Hullett cited or what reasons exist for her resigning her acting commissioner position? I am unaware; I have not been informed of those. Michelle Hullett is a very competent lawyer and counsel and we were delighted when she took the position on. People will come and go from those acting commissioner positions as they have done in the past. I have not been given any specific information, that my office or I are aware of, about why Michelle Hullett has determined to resign. When was I informed? I can get the exact date for the member for Rockingham, but it would have been in the vicinity of a week or so ago. I was informed by one of my staff members that there was the intention of Ms Hullett to resign from that position. What steps did I take at that stage? I am not the person with the responsibility for filling those positions. This goes to the issue, particularly, of the Commissioner’s position, because the final part of the member’s question was something to the effect of my responsibility for the resignation of three people from three positions at the CCC, including the Commissioner, who of course resigned at the end of his term, which was probably not unexpected. Therefore, I do not know whether I was responsible for him leaving at that — Mr E.S. Ripper : There is a fair amount of drifting and filling of positions. Mr C.C. PORTER : I will come to that in a moment. But if the member for Rockingham’s question is whether I feel a sense of responsibility that His Honour Len Roberts-Smith served his full term as Corruption and Crime Commissioner and did not take on a new term, the answer is, no, I do not. That is his prerogative and he did an excellent job whilst he was there. Mr E.S. Ripper : And the other two cases? Mr C.C. PORTER : Again, I put this to members with respect to the commissioner: the process under the Corruption and Crime Commission Act is that the executive government, through the Premier, does not simply appoint; we do not identify someone and appoint them. A committee is convened, of which the Chief Justice is the chair. Under the legislation, that committee is tasked with providing three candidates to government. We select one of those candidates. That candidate, as I understand it under the legislation, has to have bipartisan support expressed through all the members of the Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission, of which the member for Perth is a member, acceding to that person taking on the role of Commissioner. That process has been underway, but pursuant to the terms of the act, the executive government does not—neither the Premier nor I—involve ourselves in any substantive sense in the Chief Justice’s formation of a committee, counselling of candidates and then recommendation of three candidates to the executive government. That process has not happened yet. I was recently briefed that that process is now more positive than it has been in the last several months. We cannot pressgang someone into that position. Obviously, for a position of that importance, someone has to be qualified, they have to be keen, they have to be identified by the Chief Justice’s committee and they have to be willing, ready, able and competent to take on that position. The member’s question is whether I have responsibility for resignations or the non-appointment, as yet, of a new commissioner. I do not feel responsible for that because I have no direct line management or control over such things. Is it a desirable situation? Not particularly, and I would hope that we receive names very soon from the Chief Justice’s committee to allow for the appointment of a commissioner. The process that gave rise to Ms Hullett’s appointment as acting commissioner will now commence afresh because of the fact that she has resigned, but that is not a process that I have put in train. I agree that the situation could be improved upon, and it will be.
(4) How has he failed to retain three heads of the CCC since January? Mr C.C. PORTER replied: (1)–(4) What reasons has Michelle Hullett cited or what reasons exist for her resigning her acting commissioner position? I am unaware; I have not been informed of those. Michelle Hullett is a very competent lawyer and counsel and we were delighted when she took the position on. People will come and go from those acting commissioner positions as they have done in the past. I have not been given any specific information, that my office or I are aware of, about why Michelle Hullett has determined to resign. When was I informed? I can get the exact date for the member for Rockingham, but it would have been in the vicinity of a week or so ago. I was informed by one of my staff members that there was the intention of Ms Hullett to resign from that position. What steps did I take at that stage? I am not the person with the responsibility for filling those positions. This goes to the issue, particularly, of the Commissioner’s position, because the final part of the member’s question was something to the effect of my responsibility for the resignation of three people from three positions at the CCC, including the Commissioner, who of course resigned at the end of his term, which was probably not unexpected. Therefore, I do not know whether I was responsible for him leaving at that — Mr E.S. Ripper : There is a fair amount of drifting and filling of positions. Mr C.C. PORTER : I will come to that in a moment. But if the member for Rockingham’s question is whether I feel a sense of responsibility that His Honour Len Roberts-Smith served his full term as Corruption and Crime Commissioner and did not take on a new term, the answer is, no, I do not. That is his prerogative and he did an excellent job whilst he was there. Mr E.S. Ripper : And the other two cases? Mr C.C. PORTER : Again, I put this to members with respect to the commissioner: the process under the Corruption and Crime Commission Act is that the executive government, through the Premier, does not simply appoint; we do not identify someone and appoint them. A committee is convened, of which the Chief Justice is the chair. Under the legislation, that committee is tasked with providing three candidates to government. We select one of those candidates. That candidate, as I understand it under the legislation, has to have bipartisan support expressed through all the members of the Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission, of which the member for Perth is a member, acceding to that person taking on the role of Commissioner. That process has been underway, but pursuant to the terms of the act, the executive government does not—neither the Premier nor I—involve ourselves in any substantive sense in the Chief Justice’s formation of a committee, counselling of candidates and then recommendation of three candidates to the executive government. That process has not happened yet. I was recently briefed that that process is now more positive than it has been in the last several months. We cannot pressgang someone into that position. Obviously, for a position of that importance, someone has to be qualified, they have to be keen, they have to be identified by the Chief Justice’s committee and they have to be willing, ready, able and competent to take on that position. The member’s question is whether I have responsibility for resignations or the non-appointment, as yet, of a new commissioner. I do not feel responsible for that because I have no direct line management or control over such things. Is it a desirable situation? Not particularly, and I would hope that we receive names very soon from the Chief Justice’s committee to allow for the appointment of a commissioner. The process that gave rise to Ms Hullett’s appointment as acting commissioner will now commence afresh because of the fact that she has resigned, but that is not a process that I have put in train. I agree that the situation could be improved upon, and it will be.
Mr C.C. PORTER replied: (1)–(4) What reasons has Michelle Hullett cited or what reasons exist for her resigning her acting commissioner position? I am unaware; I have not been informed of those. Michelle Hullett is a very competent lawyer and counsel and we were delighted when she took the position on. People will come and go from those acting commissioner positions as they have done in the past. I have not been given any specific information, that my office or I are aware of, about why Michelle Hullett has determined to resign. When was I informed? I can get the exact date for the member for Rockingham, but it would have been in the vicinity of a week or so ago. I was informed by one of my staff members that there was the intention of Ms Hullett to resign from that position. What steps did I take at that stage? I am not the person with the responsibility for filling those positions. This goes to the issue, particularly, of the Commissioner’s position, because the final part of the member’s question was something to the effect of my responsibility for the resignation of three people from three positions at the CCC, including the Commissioner, who of course resigned at the end of his term, which was probably not unexpected. Therefore, I do not know whether I was responsible for him leaving at that — Mr E.S. Ripper : There is a fair amount of drifting and filling of positions. Mr C.C. PORTER : I will come to that in a moment. But if the member for Rockingham’s question is whether I feel a sense of responsibility that His Honour Len Roberts-Smith served his full term as Corruption and Crime Commissioner and did not take on a new term, the answer is, no, I do not. That is his prerogative and he did an excellent job whilst he was there. Mr E.S. Ripper : And the other two cases? Mr C.C. PORTER : Again, I put this to members with respect to the commissioner: the process under the Corruption and Crime Commission Act is that the executive government, through the Premier, does not simply appoint; we do not identify someone and appoint them. A committee is convened, of which the Chief Justice is the chair. Under the legislation, that committee is tasked with providing three candidates to government. We select one of those candidates. That candidate, as I understand it under the legislation, has to have bipartisan support expressed through all the members of the Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission, of which the member for Perth is a member, acceding to that person taking on the role of Commissioner. That process has been underway, but pursuant to the terms of the act, the executive government does not—neither the Premier nor I—involve ourselves in any substantive sense in the Chief Justice’s formation of a committee, counselling of candidates and then recommendation of three candidates to the executive government. That process has not happened yet. I was recently briefed that that process is now more positive than it has been in the last several months. We cannot pressgang someone into that position. Obviously, for a position of that importance, someone has to be qualified, they have to be keen, they have to be identified by the Chief Justice’s committee and they have to be willing, ready, able and competent to take on that position. The member’s question is whether I have responsibility for resignations or the non-appointment, as yet, of a new commissioner. I do not feel responsible for that because I have no direct line management or control over such things. Is it a desirable situation? Not particularly, and I would hope that we receive names very soon from the Chief Justice’s committee to allow for the appointment of a commissioner. The process that gave rise to Ms Hullett’s appointment as acting commissioner will now commence afresh because of the fact that she has resigned, but that is not a process that I have put in train. I agree that the situation could be improved upon, and it will be.
(1)–(4) What reasons has Michelle Hullett cited or what reasons exist for her resigning her acting commissioner position? I am unaware; I have not been informed of those. Michelle Hullett is a very competent lawyer and counsel and we were delighted when she took the position on. People will come and go from those acting commissioner positions as they have done in the past. I have not been given any specific information, that my office or I are aware of, about why Michelle Hullett has determined to resign. When was I informed? I can get the exact date for the member for Rockingham, but it would have been in the vicinity of a week or so ago. I was informed by one of my staff members that there was the intention of Ms Hullett to resign from that position. What steps did I take at that stage? I am not the person with the responsibility for filling those positions. This goes to the issue, particularly, of the Commissioner’s position, because the final part of the member’s question was something to the effect of my responsibility for the resignation of three people from three positions at the CCC, including the Commissioner, who of course resigned at the end of his term, which was probably not unexpected. Therefore, I do not know whether I was responsible for him leaving at that — Mr E.S. Ripper : There is a fair amount of drifting and filling of positions. Mr C.C. PORTER : I will come to that in a moment. But if the member for Rockingham’s question is whether I feel a sense of responsibility that His Honour Len Roberts-Smith served his full term as Corruption and Crime Commissioner and did not take on a new term, the answer is, no, I do not. That is his prerogative and he did an excellent job whilst he was there. Mr E.S. Ripper : And the other two cases? Mr C.C. PORTER : Again, I put this to members with respect to the commissioner: the process under the Corruption and Crime Commission Act is that the executive government, through the Premier, does not simply appoint; we do not identify someone and appoint them. A committee is convened, of which the Chief Justice is the chair. Under the legislation, that committee is tasked with providing three candidates to government. We select one of those candidates. That candidate, as I understand it under the legislation, has to have bipartisan support expressed through all the members of the Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission, of which the member for Perth is a member, acceding to that person taking on the role of Commissioner. That process has been underway, but pursuant to the terms of the act, the executive government does not—neither the Premier nor I—involve ourselves in any substantive sense in the Chief Justice’s formation of a committee, counselling of candidates and then recommendation of three candidates to the executive government. That process has not happened yet. I was recently briefed that that process is now more positive than it has been in the last several months. We cannot pressgang someone into that position. Obviously, for a position of that importance, someone has to be qualified, they have to be keen, they have to be identified by the Chief Justice’s committee and they have to be willing, ready, able and competent to take on that position. The member’s question is whether I have responsibility for resignations or the non-appointment, as yet, of a new commissioner. I do not feel responsible for that because I have no direct line management or control over such things. Is it a desirable situation? Not particularly, and I would hope that we receive names very soon from the Chief Justice’s committee to allow for the appointment of a commissioner. The process that gave rise to Ms Hullett’s appointment as acting commissioner will now commence afresh because of the fact that she has resigned, but that is not a process that I have put in train. I agree that the situation could be improved upon, and it will be.
What steps did I take at that stage? I am not the person with the responsibility for filling those positions. This goes to the issue, particularly, of the Commissioner’s position, because the final part of the member’s question was something to the effect of my responsibility for the resignation of three people from three positions at the CCC, including the Commissioner, who of course resigned at the end of his term, which was probably not unexpected. Therefore, I do not know whether I was responsible for him leaving at that —
Mr C.C. PORTER : I will come to that in a moment. But if the member for Rockingham’s question is whether I feel a sense of responsibility that His Honour Len Roberts-Smith served his full term as Corruption and Crime Commissioner and did not take on a new term, the answer is, no, I do not. That is his prerogative and he did an excellent job whilst he was there. Mr E.S. Ripper : And the other two cases? Mr C.C. PORTER : Again, I put this to members with respect to the commissioner: the process under the Corruption and Crime Commission Act is that the executive government, through the Premier, does not simply appoint; we do not identify someone and appoint them. A committee is convened, of which the Chief Justice is the chair. Under the legislation, that committee is tasked with providing three candidates to government. We select one of those candidates. That candidate, as I understand it under the legislation, has to have bipartisan support expressed through all the members of the Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission, of which the member for Perth is a member, acceding to that person taking on the role of Commissioner. That process has been underway, but pursuant to the terms of the act, the executive government does not—neither the Premier nor I—involve ourselves in any substantive sense in the Chief Justice’s formation of a committee, counselling of candidates and then recommendation of three candidates to the executive government. That process has not happened yet. I was recently briefed that that process is now more positive than it has been in the last several months. We cannot pressgang someone into that position. Obviously, for a position of that importance, someone has to be qualified, they have to be keen, they have to be identified by the Chief Justice’s committee and they have to be willing, ready, able and competent to take on that position. The member’s question is whether I have responsibility for resignations or the non-appointment, as yet, of a new commissioner. I do not feel responsible for that because I have no direct line management or control over such things. Is it a desirable situation? Not particularly, and I would hope that we receive names very soon from the Chief Justice’s committee to allow for the appointment of a commissioner. The process that gave rise to Ms Hullett’s appointment as acting commissioner will now commence afresh because of the fact that she has resigned, but that is not a process that I have put in train. I agree that the situation could be improved upon, and it will be.
Mr E.S. Ripper : And the other two cases? Mr C.C. PORTER : Again, I put this to members with respect to the commissioner: the process under the Corruption and Crime Commission Act is that the executive government, through the Premier, does not simply appoint; we do not identify someone and appoint them. A committee is convened, of which the Chief Justice is the chair. Under the legislation, that committee is tasked with providing three candidates to government. We select one of those candidates. That candidate, as I understand it under the legislation, has to have bipartisan support expressed through all the members of the Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission, of which the member for Perth is a member, acceding to that person taking on the role of Commissioner. That process has been underway, but pursuant to the terms of the act, the executive government does not—neither the Premier nor I—involve ourselves in any substantive sense in the Chief Justice’s formation of a committee, counselling of candidates and then recommendation of three candidates to the executive government. That process has not happened yet. I was recently briefed that that process is now more positive than it has been in the last several months. We cannot pressgang someone into that position. Obviously, for a position of that importance, someone has to be qualified, they have to be keen, they have to be identified by the Chief Justice’s committee and they have to be willing, ready, able and competent to take on that position. The member’s question is whether I have responsibility for resignations or the non-appointment, as yet, of a new commissioner. I do not feel responsible for that because I have no direct line management or control over such things. Is it a desirable situation? Not particularly, and I would hope that we receive names very soon from the Chief Justice’s committee to allow for the appointment of a commissioner. The process that gave rise to Ms Hullett’s appointment as acting commissioner will now commence afresh because of the fact that she has resigned, but that is not a process that I have put in train. I agree that the situation could be improved upon, and it will be.
Mr C.C. PORTER : Again, I put this to members with respect to the commissioner: the process under the Corruption and Crime Commission Act is that the executive government, through the Premier, does not simply appoint; we do not identify someone and appoint them. A committee is convened, of which the Chief Justice is the chair. Under the legislation, that committee is tasked with providing three candidates to government. We select one of those candidates. That candidate, as I understand it under the legislation, has to have bipartisan support expressed through all the members of the Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission, of which the member for Perth is a member, acceding to that person taking on the role of Commissioner. That process has been underway, but pursuant to the terms of the act, the executive government does not—neither the Premier nor I—involve ourselves in any substantive sense in the Chief Justice’s formation of a committee, counselling of candidates and then recommendation of three candidates to the executive government. That process has not happened yet. I was recently briefed that that process is now more positive than it has been in the last several months. We cannot pressgang someone into that position. Obviously, for a position of that importance, someone has to be qualified, they have to be keen, they have to be identified by the Chief Justice’s committee and they have to be willing, ready, able and competent to take on that position. The member’s question is whether I have responsibility for resignations or the non-appointment, as yet, of a new commissioner. I do not feel responsible for that because I have no direct line management or control over such things. Is it a desirable situation? Not particularly, and I would hope that we receive names very soon from the Chief Justice’s committee to allow for the appointment of a commissioner. The process that gave rise to Ms Hullett’s appointment as acting commissioner will now commence afresh because of the fact that she has resigned, but that is not a process that I have put in train. I agree that the situation could be improved upon, and it will be.
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