❓ Opposition asks detailed questions regarding the removal of Gary Prattley as chair of the WA Planning Commission, focusing on inappropriate expenditure and potential referral to police. The Minister's response is largely non-committal, citing legal advice and focusing on misbehaviour under the Planning and Development Act.
AnsweredQoN 1020Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
GARY
PRATTLEY — REMOVAL AS CHAIR OF WESTERN AUSTRALIAN PLANNING COMMISSION
1020. Hon SUE ELLERY to the minister representing the
Minister for Planning:
I refer to today's announcement regarding the removal
from office of the minister's appointee to the WA Planning Commission,
Mr Gary Prattley.
(1) Will the
minister outline what specific expenditure by Mr Prattley was deemed
inappropriate; and, if not, why not?
(2) Was any
overseas travel or expenditure while overseas part of the expenditure deemed
inappropriate?
(3) If yes to (2) —
(a) what specific overseas travel
or expenditure was deemed inappropriate; and
(b) did the minister approve any
of the overseas travel that was deemed inappropriate?
(4) Will any
matters arising from this issue be referred to WA Police; and, if not, why not?
(5) Will Mr
Prattley receive a severance package; and, if so, what will be the value of
that package?
PRATTLEY — REMOVAL AS CHAIR OF WESTERN AUSTRALIAN PLANNING COMMISSION
1020. Hon SUE ELLERY to the minister representing the
Minister for Planning:
I refer to today's announcement regarding the removal
from office of the minister's appointee to the WA Planning Commission,
Mr Gary Prattley.
(1) Will the
minister outline what specific expenditure by Mr Prattley was deemed
inappropriate; and, if not, why not?
(2) Was any
overseas travel or expenditure while overseas part of the expenditure deemed
inappropriate?
(3) If yes to (2) —
(a) what specific overseas travel
or expenditure was deemed inappropriate; and
(b) did the minister approve any
of the overseas travel that was deemed inappropriate?
(4) Will any
matters arising from this issue be referred to WA Police; and, if not, why not?
(5) Will Mr
Prattley receive a severance package; and, if so, what will be the value of
that package?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(3)
This detailed information is not currently considered appropriate for public
release. However, we will continue to seek further legal opinion as to what may
or may not be released in future. I can confirm that none of the overseas
travel, as opposed to expenditure on that travel, was deemed inappropriate.
(4) The focus
of the consideration of the matter has been in the context of misbehaviour in
terms of the Planning and Development Act 2005, not in relation to matters that
might be considered by police. It is not otherwise appropriate to comment on
anything that may or may not be a matter for police other than to indicate that
authorities are alert to their responsibilities.
(5) It is not
intended that Mr Prattley receive any severance package—so there!
(1)–(3)
This detailed information is not currently considered appropriate for public
release. However, we will continue to seek further legal opinion as to what may
or may not be released in future. I can confirm that none of the overseas
travel, as opposed to expenditure on that travel, was deemed inappropriate.
(4) The focus
of the consideration of the matter has been in the context of misbehaviour in
terms of the Planning and Development Act 2005, not in relation to matters that
might be considered by police. It is not otherwise appropriate to comment on
anything that may or may not be a matter for police other than to indicate that
authorities are alert to their responsibilities.
(5) It is not
intended that Mr Prattley receive any severance package—so there!
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