❓ This parliamentary question seeks detailed information on character references provided by senior public sector employees within the Minister's portfolios for criminal sentencing proceedings since March 2017, focusing on potential misuse of official positions and resources.
⏳ Awaiting AnswerQoN 3497Legislative Assembly
Asked
9 September 2026
Member
Portfolio
Agriculture and Food; Fisheries; Forestry; Small Business; Mid West
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to character references and other written representations provided for use in criminal sentencing proceedings, including character references contemplated by rule 45 of the
Criminal Procedure Rules 2005
, and for each department, agency, authority, GTE or other entity within the Minister's portfolios, I ask:
(a) Since March 2017, how many character references or other written representations intended to be relied upon in criminal sentencing proceedings have been provided by:
(i) the Director General, Chief Executive Officer or equivalent head of the entity;
(ii) Deputy Directors General, Deputy Chief Executive Officers or equivalent;
(iii) members of the Corporate Executive, Executive Leadership Team or equivalent;
(iv) Senior Executive Service officers; and
(v) any other employee classified at an executive level or equivalent;
(b) For each reference identified in (a), please provide:
(i) the year in which it was provided;
(ii) the position and classification of the employee who provided it;
(iii) whether the employee identified their government position or title in the reference;
(iv) whether departmental, agency or government letterhead was used;
(v) whether the reference was prepared, reviewed or edited by another public sector employee; and
(vi) whether the employee sought or received approval or advice before providing the reference;
(c) Of the references identified in (a), please provide the types of offences for which these references were provided;
(d) Does the department or agency have any policy or guideline on the provision of character references by Directors General, Chief Executive Officers, Senior Executive Service officers or other employees for persons involved in criminal proceedings;
(e) If yes to (d):
(i) what is the title and date of each relevant document;
(ii) when was it introduced;
(iii) has it been amended since March 2017;
(iv) does it require prior approval before a reference is provided; and
(v) will the Minister table a copy of each relevant document;
(f) Does the department or agency maintain a register or other central record of character references provided by its Director General, Chief Executive Officer, Senior Executive Service officers or other executive employees;
(g) If no to (f), what mechanism does the department or agency have to ensure that an employee’s senior public office, official title or government resources are not inappropriately used to support an offender in criminal sentencing proceedings;
(h) If the information requested above is not centrally recorded, will the Minister undertake searches of relevant departmental correspondence, records and government email accounts to ascertain the information requested; and
(i) If no to (h), why not?
Answered on
Criminal Procedure Rules 2005
, and for each department, agency, authority, GTE or other entity within the Minister's portfolios, I ask:
(a) Since March 2017, how many character references or other written representations intended to be relied upon in criminal sentencing proceedings have been provided by:
(i) the Director General, Chief Executive Officer or equivalent head of the entity;
(ii) Deputy Directors General, Deputy Chief Executive Officers or equivalent;
(iii) members of the Corporate Executive, Executive Leadership Team or equivalent;
(iv) Senior Executive Service officers; and
(v) any other employee classified at an executive level or equivalent;
(b) For each reference identified in (a), please provide:
(i) the year in which it was provided;
(ii) the position and classification of the employee who provided it;
(iii) whether the employee identified their government position or title in the reference;
(iv) whether departmental, agency or government letterhead was used;
(v) whether the reference was prepared, reviewed or edited by another public sector employee; and
(vi) whether the employee sought or received approval or advice before providing the reference;
(c) Of the references identified in (a), please provide the types of offences for which these references were provided;
(d) Does the department or agency have any policy or guideline on the provision of character references by Directors General, Chief Executive Officers, Senior Executive Service officers or other employees for persons involved in criminal proceedings;
(e) If yes to (d):
(i) what is the title and date of each relevant document;
(ii) when was it introduced;
(iii) has it been amended since March 2017;
(iv) does it require prior approval before a reference is provided; and
(v) will the Minister table a copy of each relevant document;
(f) Does the department or agency maintain a register or other central record of character references provided by its Director General, Chief Executive Officer, Senior Executive Service officers or other executive employees;
(g) If no to (f), what mechanism does the department or agency have to ensure that an employee’s senior public office, official title or government resources are not inappropriately used to support an offender in criminal sentencing proceedings;
(h) If the information requested above is not centrally recorded, will the Minister undertake searches of relevant departmental correspondence, records and government email accounts to ascertain the information requested; and
(i) If no to (h), why not?
Answered on
AnswerView source ↗
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