❓ A parliamentary question regarding the appointment of Nicole Feely to the South Metropolitan Area Health Service, raising concerns about her past employment and potential conflicts of interest. The Minister defends the appointment based on merit.
AnsweredQoN 494Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
NICOLE FEELY — APPOINTMENT TO SOUTH METROPOLITAN AREA HEALTH SERVICE
I refer to reports that John Howard’s former chief of staff and former executive at tobacco company Philip Morris has been appointed the chief executive of Western Australia’s South Metropolitan Area Health Service. (1) Is this not just another case of “jobs for the Libs”? (2) Can the minister confirm that Nicole Feely is a former chief of staff to John Howard and is a former executive at Philip Morris? (3) Is the minister confident that Nicole Feely will enjoy the support of such groups as the Cancer Council WA, Action on Smoking and Health Australia and Healthway? (4) Will the minister call on Nicole Feely to make a public statement condemning smoking? Dr K.D. HAMES
I refer to reports that John Howard’s former chief of staff and former executive at tobacco company Philip Morris has been appointed the chief executive of Western Australia’s South Metropolitan Area Health Service. (1) Is this not just another case of “jobs for the Libs”? (2) Can the minister confirm that Nicole Feely is a former chief of staff to John Howard and is a former executive at Philip Morris? (3) Is the minister confident that Nicole Feely will enjoy the support of such groups as the Cancer Council WA, Action on Smoking and Health Australia and Healthway? (4) Will the minister call on Nicole Feely to make a public statement condemning smoking? Dr K.D. HAMES
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(4) The only information I have about that is what I have read in the paper about her former employment. I have to say that I had absolutely nothing to do with her employment, nor should I. That position was advertised — Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s the same with Peter Conran really, isn’t it? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, I did not have anything to do with him either. That position was advertised Australia-wide. People put in applications for the position. It was assessed, presumably, by a panel within the health department, and it chose her as being the best person for the job. I think she has done a fantastic job. Today she was in my office with a group for a meeting. I have an enormous amount of respect for her knowledge and the information she provided. She does not provide any advice to me about smoking issues. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. No issues relating to that have anything to do with decisions that she may or may not make or views that she may or may not have on smoking. That has absolutely nothing to do with her role description or the task that she has. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. When I want advice on smoking, I get it from the relevant government department—the Department of Health—that provides advice on issues relating to public health; I do not get that advice from her. Therefore, I really am not concerned with whatever she did before. I am concerned about having the best people for the job. She was chosen above the other applicants as being the person with the best qualifications, and I have been very impressed with her since she has been in that position.
(1) Is this not just another case of “jobs for the Libs”? (2) Can the minister confirm that Nicole Feely is a former chief of staff to John Howard and is a former executive at Philip Morris? (3) Is the minister confident that Nicole Feely will enjoy the support of such groups as the Cancer Council WA, Action on Smoking and Health Australia and Healthway? (4) Will the minister call on Nicole Feely to make a public statement condemning smoking? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) The only information I have about that is what I have read in the paper about her former employment. I have to say that I had absolutely nothing to do with her employment, nor should I. That position was advertised — Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s the same with Peter Conran really, isn’t it? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, I did not have anything to do with him either. That position was advertised Australia-wide. People put in applications for the position. It was assessed, presumably, by a panel within the health department, and it chose her as being the best person for the job. I think she has done a fantastic job. Today she was in my office with a group for a meeting. I have an enormous amount of respect for her knowledge and the information she provided. She does not provide any advice to me about smoking issues. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. No issues relating to that have anything to do with decisions that she may or may not make or views that she may or may not have on smoking. That has absolutely nothing to do with her role description or the task that she has. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. When I want advice on smoking, I get it from the relevant government department—the Department of Health—that provides advice on issues relating to public health; I do not get that advice from her. Therefore, I really am not concerned with whatever she did before. I am concerned about having the best people for the job. She was chosen above the other applicants as being the person with the best qualifications, and I have been very impressed with her since she has been in that position.
(2) Can the minister confirm that Nicole Feely is a former chief of staff to John Howard and is a former executive at Philip Morris? (3) Is the minister confident that Nicole Feely will enjoy the support of such groups as the Cancer Council WA, Action on Smoking and Health Australia and Healthway? (4) Will the minister call on Nicole Feely to make a public statement condemning smoking? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) The only information I have about that is what I have read in the paper about her former employment. I have to say that I had absolutely nothing to do with her employment, nor should I. That position was advertised — Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s the same with Peter Conran really, isn’t it? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, I did not have anything to do with him either. That position was advertised Australia-wide. People put in applications for the position. It was assessed, presumably, by a panel within the health department, and it chose her as being the best person for the job. I think she has done a fantastic job. Today she was in my office with a group for a meeting. I have an enormous amount of respect for her knowledge and the information she provided. She does not provide any advice to me about smoking issues. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. No issues relating to that have anything to do with decisions that she may or may not make or views that she may or may not have on smoking. That has absolutely nothing to do with her role description or the task that she has. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. When I want advice on smoking, I get it from the relevant government department—the Department of Health—that provides advice on issues relating to public health; I do not get that advice from her. Therefore, I really am not concerned with whatever she did before. I am concerned about having the best people for the job. She was chosen above the other applicants as being the person with the best qualifications, and I have been very impressed with her since she has been in that position.
(3) Is the minister confident that Nicole Feely will enjoy the support of such groups as the Cancer Council WA, Action on Smoking and Health Australia and Healthway? (4) Will the minister call on Nicole Feely to make a public statement condemning smoking? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) The only information I have about that is what I have read in the paper about her former employment. I have to say that I had absolutely nothing to do with her employment, nor should I. That position was advertised — Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s the same with Peter Conran really, isn’t it? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, I did not have anything to do with him either. That position was advertised Australia-wide. People put in applications for the position. It was assessed, presumably, by a panel within the health department, and it chose her as being the best person for the job. I think she has done a fantastic job. Today she was in my office with a group for a meeting. I have an enormous amount of respect for her knowledge and the information she provided. She does not provide any advice to me about smoking issues. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. No issues relating to that have anything to do with decisions that she may or may not make or views that she may or may not have on smoking. That has absolutely nothing to do with her role description or the task that she has. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. When I want advice on smoking, I get it from the relevant government department—the Department of Health—that provides advice on issues relating to public health; I do not get that advice from her. Therefore, I really am not concerned with whatever she did before. I am concerned about having the best people for the job. She was chosen above the other applicants as being the person with the best qualifications, and I have been very impressed with her since she has been in that position.
(4) Will the minister call on Nicole Feely to make a public statement condemning smoking? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) The only information I have about that is what I have read in the paper about her former employment. I have to say that I had absolutely nothing to do with her employment, nor should I. That position was advertised — Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s the same with Peter Conran really, isn’t it? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, I did not have anything to do with him either. That position was advertised Australia-wide. People put in applications for the position. It was assessed, presumably, by a panel within the health department, and it chose her as being the best person for the job. I think she has done a fantastic job. Today she was in my office with a group for a meeting. I have an enormous amount of respect for her knowledge and the information she provided. She does not provide any advice to me about smoking issues. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. No issues relating to that have anything to do with decisions that she may or may not make or views that she may or may not have on smoking. That has absolutely nothing to do with her role description or the task that she has. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. When I want advice on smoking, I get it from the relevant government department—the Department of Health—that provides advice on issues relating to public health; I do not get that advice from her. Therefore, I really am not concerned with whatever she did before. I am concerned about having the best people for the job. She was chosen above the other applicants as being the person with the best qualifications, and I have been very impressed with her since she has been in that position.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) The only information I have about that is what I have read in the paper about her former employment. I have to say that I had absolutely nothing to do with her employment, nor should I. That position was advertised — Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s the same with Peter Conran really, isn’t it? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, I did not have anything to do with him either. That position was advertised Australia-wide. People put in applications for the position. It was assessed, presumably, by a panel within the health department, and it chose her as being the best person for the job. I think she has done a fantastic job. Today she was in my office with a group for a meeting. I have an enormous amount of respect for her knowledge and the information she provided. She does not provide any advice to me about smoking issues. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. No issues relating to that have anything to do with decisions that she may or may not make or views that she may or may not have on smoking. That has absolutely nothing to do with her role description or the task that she has. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. When I want advice on smoking, I get it from the relevant government department—the Department of Health—that provides advice on issues relating to public health; I do not get that advice from her. Therefore, I really am not concerned with whatever she did before. I am concerned about having the best people for the job. She was chosen above the other applicants as being the person with the best qualifications, and I have been very impressed with her since she has been in that position.
(1)-(4) The only information I have about that is what I have read in the paper about her former employment. I have to say that I had absolutely nothing to do with her employment, nor should I. That position was advertised — Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s the same with Peter Conran really, isn’t it? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, I did not have anything to do with him either. That position was advertised Australia-wide. People put in applications for the position. It was assessed, presumably, by a panel within the health department, and it chose her as being the best person for the job. I think she has done a fantastic job. Today she was in my office with a group for a meeting. I have an enormous amount of respect for her knowledge and the information she provided. She does not provide any advice to me about smoking issues. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. No issues relating to that have anything to do with decisions that she may or may not make or views that she may or may not have on smoking. That has absolutely nothing to do with her role description or the task that she has. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. When I want advice on smoking, I get it from the relevant government department—the Department of Health—that provides advice on issues relating to public health; I do not get that advice from her. Therefore, I really am not concerned with whatever she did before. I am concerned about having the best people for the job. She was chosen above the other applicants as being the person with the best qualifications, and I have been very impressed with her since she has been in that position.
Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s the same with Peter Conran really, isn’t it? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, I did not have anything to do with him either. That position was advertised Australia-wide. People put in applications for the position. It was assessed, presumably, by a panel within the health department, and it chose her as being the best person for the job. I think she has done a fantastic job. Today she was in my office with a group for a meeting. I have an enormous amount of respect for her knowledge and the information she provided. She does not provide any advice to me about smoking issues. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. No issues relating to that have anything to do with decisions that she may or may not make or views that she may or may not have on smoking. That has absolutely nothing to do with her role description or the task that she has. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. When I want advice on smoking, I get it from the relevant government department—the Department of Health—that provides advice on issues relating to public health; I do not get that advice from her. Therefore, I really am not concerned with whatever she did before. I am concerned about having the best people for the job. She was chosen above the other applicants as being the person with the best qualifications, and I have been very impressed with her since she has been in that position.
Dr K.D. HAMES : No, I did not have anything to do with him either. That position was advertised Australia-wide. People put in applications for the position. It was assessed, presumably, by a panel within the health department, and it chose her as being the best person for the job. I think she has done a fantastic job. Today she was in my office with a group for a meeting. I have an enormous amount of respect for her knowledge and the information she provided. She does not provide any advice to me about smoking issues. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. No issues relating to that have anything to do with decisions that she may or may not make or views that she may or may not have on smoking. That has absolutely nothing to do with her role description or the task that she has. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. When I want advice on smoking, I get it from the relevant government department—the Department of Health—that provides advice on issues relating to public health; I do not get that advice from her. Therefore, I really am not concerned with whatever she did before. I am concerned about having the best people for the job. She was chosen above the other applicants as being the person with the best qualifications, and I have been very impressed with her since she has been in that position.
(1) Is this not just another case of “jobs for the Libs”? (2) Can the minister confirm that Nicole Feely is a former chief of staff to John Howard and is a former executive at Philip Morris? (3) Is the minister confident that Nicole Feely will enjoy the support of such groups as the Cancer Council WA, Action on Smoking and Health Australia and Healthway? (4) Will the minister call on Nicole Feely to make a public statement condemning smoking? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) The only information I have about that is what I have read in the paper about her former employment. I have to say that I had absolutely nothing to do with her employment, nor should I. That position was advertised — Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s the same with Peter Conran really, isn’t it? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, I did not have anything to do with him either. That position was advertised Australia-wide. People put in applications for the position. It was assessed, presumably, by a panel within the health department, and it chose her as being the best person for the job. I think she has done a fantastic job. Today she was in my office with a group for a meeting. I have an enormous amount of respect for her knowledge and the information she provided. She does not provide any advice to me about smoking issues. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. No issues relating to that have anything to do with decisions that she may or may not make or views that she may or may not have on smoking. That has absolutely nothing to do with her role description or the task that she has. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. When I want advice on smoking, I get it from the relevant government department—the Department of Health—that provides advice on issues relating to public health; I do not get that advice from her. Therefore, I really am not concerned with whatever she did before. I am concerned about having the best people for the job. She was chosen above the other applicants as being the person with the best qualifications, and I have been very impressed with her since she has been in that position.
(2) Can the minister confirm that Nicole Feely is a former chief of staff to John Howard and is a former executive at Philip Morris? (3) Is the minister confident that Nicole Feely will enjoy the support of such groups as the Cancer Council WA, Action on Smoking and Health Australia and Healthway? (4) Will the minister call on Nicole Feely to make a public statement condemning smoking? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) The only information I have about that is what I have read in the paper about her former employment. I have to say that I had absolutely nothing to do with her employment, nor should I. That position was advertised — Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s the same with Peter Conran really, isn’t it? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, I did not have anything to do with him either. That position was advertised Australia-wide. People put in applications for the position. It was assessed, presumably, by a panel within the health department, and it chose her as being the best person for the job. I think she has done a fantastic job. Today she was in my office with a group for a meeting. I have an enormous amount of respect for her knowledge and the information she provided. She does not provide any advice to me about smoking issues. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. No issues relating to that have anything to do with decisions that she may or may not make or views that she may or may not have on smoking. That has absolutely nothing to do with her role description or the task that she has. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. When I want advice on smoking, I get it from the relevant government department—the Department of Health—that provides advice on issues relating to public health; I do not get that advice from her. Therefore, I really am not concerned with whatever she did before. I am concerned about having the best people for the job. She was chosen above the other applicants as being the person with the best qualifications, and I have been very impressed with her since she has been in that position.
(3) Is the minister confident that Nicole Feely will enjoy the support of such groups as the Cancer Council WA, Action on Smoking and Health Australia and Healthway? (4) Will the minister call on Nicole Feely to make a public statement condemning smoking? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) The only information I have about that is what I have read in the paper about her former employment. I have to say that I had absolutely nothing to do with her employment, nor should I. That position was advertised — Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s the same with Peter Conran really, isn’t it? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, I did not have anything to do with him either. That position was advertised Australia-wide. People put in applications for the position. It was assessed, presumably, by a panel within the health department, and it chose her as being the best person for the job. I think she has done a fantastic job. Today she was in my office with a group for a meeting. I have an enormous amount of respect for her knowledge and the information she provided. She does not provide any advice to me about smoking issues. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. No issues relating to that have anything to do with decisions that she may or may not make or views that she may or may not have on smoking. That has absolutely nothing to do with her role description or the task that she has. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. When I want advice on smoking, I get it from the relevant government department—the Department of Health—that provides advice on issues relating to public health; I do not get that advice from her. Therefore, I really am not concerned with whatever she did before. I am concerned about having the best people for the job. She was chosen above the other applicants as being the person with the best qualifications, and I have been very impressed with her since she has been in that position.
(4) Will the minister call on Nicole Feely to make a public statement condemning smoking? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) The only information I have about that is what I have read in the paper about her former employment. I have to say that I had absolutely nothing to do with her employment, nor should I. That position was advertised — Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s the same with Peter Conran really, isn’t it? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, I did not have anything to do with him either. That position was advertised Australia-wide. People put in applications for the position. It was assessed, presumably, by a panel within the health department, and it chose her as being the best person for the job. I think she has done a fantastic job. Today she was in my office with a group for a meeting. I have an enormous amount of respect for her knowledge and the information she provided. She does not provide any advice to me about smoking issues. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. No issues relating to that have anything to do with decisions that she may or may not make or views that she may or may not have on smoking. That has absolutely nothing to do with her role description or the task that she has. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. When I want advice on smoking, I get it from the relevant government department—the Department of Health—that provides advice on issues relating to public health; I do not get that advice from her. Therefore, I really am not concerned with whatever she did before. I am concerned about having the best people for the job. She was chosen above the other applicants as being the person with the best qualifications, and I have been very impressed with her since she has been in that position.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)-(4) The only information I have about that is what I have read in the paper about her former employment. I have to say that I had absolutely nothing to do with her employment, nor should I. That position was advertised — Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s the same with Peter Conran really, isn’t it? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, I did not have anything to do with him either. That position was advertised Australia-wide. People put in applications for the position. It was assessed, presumably, by a panel within the health department, and it chose her as being the best person for the job. I think she has done a fantastic job. Today she was in my office with a group for a meeting. I have an enormous amount of respect for her knowledge and the information she provided. She does not provide any advice to me about smoking issues. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. No issues relating to that have anything to do with decisions that she may or may not make or views that she may or may not have on smoking. That has absolutely nothing to do with her role description or the task that she has. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. When I want advice on smoking, I get it from the relevant government department—the Department of Health—that provides advice on issues relating to public health; I do not get that advice from her. Therefore, I really am not concerned with whatever she did before. I am concerned about having the best people for the job. She was chosen above the other applicants as being the person with the best qualifications, and I have been very impressed with her since she has been in that position.
(1)-(4) The only information I have about that is what I have read in the paper about her former employment. I have to say that I had absolutely nothing to do with her employment, nor should I. That position was advertised — Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s the same with Peter Conran really, isn’t it? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, I did not have anything to do with him either. That position was advertised Australia-wide. People put in applications for the position. It was assessed, presumably, by a panel within the health department, and it chose her as being the best person for the job. I think she has done a fantastic job. Today she was in my office with a group for a meeting. I have an enormous amount of respect for her knowledge and the information she provided. She does not provide any advice to me about smoking issues. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. No issues relating to that have anything to do with decisions that she may or may not make or views that she may or may not have on smoking. That has absolutely nothing to do with her role description or the task that she has. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. When I want advice on smoking, I get it from the relevant government department—the Department of Health—that provides advice on issues relating to public health; I do not get that advice from her. Therefore, I really am not concerned with whatever she did before. I am concerned about having the best people for the job. She was chosen above the other applicants as being the person with the best qualifications, and I have been very impressed with her since she has been in that position.
Mr E.S. Ripper : It’s the same with Peter Conran really, isn’t it? Dr K.D. HAMES : No, I did not have anything to do with him either. That position was advertised Australia-wide. People put in applications for the position. It was assessed, presumably, by a panel within the health department, and it chose her as being the best person for the job. I think she has done a fantastic job. Today she was in my office with a group for a meeting. I have an enormous amount of respect for her knowledge and the information she provided. She does not provide any advice to me about smoking issues. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. No issues relating to that have anything to do with decisions that she may or may not make or views that she may or may not have on smoking. That has absolutely nothing to do with her role description or the task that she has. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. When I want advice on smoking, I get it from the relevant government department—the Department of Health—that provides advice on issues relating to public health; I do not get that advice from her. Therefore, I really am not concerned with whatever she did before. I am concerned about having the best people for the job. She was chosen above the other applicants as being the person with the best qualifications, and I have been very impressed with her since she has been in that position.
Dr K.D. HAMES : No, I did not have anything to do with him either. That position was advertised Australia-wide. People put in applications for the position. It was assessed, presumably, by a panel within the health department, and it chose her as being the best person for the job. I think she has done a fantastic job. Today she was in my office with a group for a meeting. I have an enormous amount of respect for her knowledge and the information she provided. She does not provide any advice to me about smoking issues. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. No issues relating to that have anything to do with decisions that she may or may not make or views that she may or may not have on smoking. That has absolutely nothing to do with her role description or the task that she has. She looks after the South Metropolitan Area Health Service. When I want advice on smoking, I get it from the relevant government department—the Department of Health—that provides advice on issues relating to public health; I do not get that advice from her. Therefore, I really am not concerned with whatever she did before. I am concerned about having the best people for the job. She was chosen above the other applicants as being the person with the best qualifications, and I have been very impressed with her since she has been in that position.
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