❓ Mr. Ripper questions the Premier regarding the termination of several Director Generals, alleging it contradicts the government's commitment to an independent public sector. The Premier responds by highlighting the role of the Public Sector Commission in handling such matters independently.
AnsweredQoN 214Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEES — EMPLOYMENT TERMINATION
I refer to the removal of Kim Taylor from the position of Director General of the Department of Water, a move that has sent a shockwave of fear and loathing around the public sector and I also refer to the removal of Ian Longson as Director General of Agriculture, and to the forced resignation of Dr Peter Flett as Director General of health. In light of the Premier’s professed commitment to an independent public sector, why has his government sent a totally contrary message to the public service that long-term, respected employees will be dismissed if they provide fearless independent advice to their minister? Mr C.J. BARNETT
I refer to the removal of Kim Taylor from the position of Director General of the Department of Water, a move that has sent a shockwave of fear and loathing around the public sector and I also refer to the removal of Ian Longson as Director General of Agriculture, and to the forced resignation of Dr Peter Flett as Director General of health. In light of the Premier’s professed commitment to an independent public sector, why has his government sent a totally contrary message to the public service that long-term, respected employees will be dismissed if they provide fearless independent advice to their minister? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
Over 100 000 people work in the Western Australian public service. There is something like 160 different departments, agencies and corporations. It stands to reason that there will be occasions when, for whatever reason, a minister and a chief executive officer do not get on and do not have an effective working relationship. There will be other situations in which a minister may be dissatisfied with the way in which a CEO is going about his or her task. That will never be avoided. But when a situation like that arises the correct thing is that that circumstance, or any other circumstance, be handled independently of the political process — Mr E.S. Ripper : They can be dismissed on a whim! That is how it works. Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that is why this government set up a Public Sector Commission with a Public Sector Commissioner, Mr Mal Wauchope, in charge. Any matter to do with discipline, transfer, dismissal—should that arise—is handled through the Public Sector Commissioner. That is the situation. And that is the correct situation that should be in place.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Over 100 000 people work in the Western Australian public service. There is something like 160 different departments, agencies and corporations. It stands to reason that there will be occasions when, for whatever reason, a minister and a chief executive officer do not get on and do not have an effective working relationship. There will be other situations in which a minister may be dissatisfied with the way in which a CEO is going about his or her task. That will never be avoided. But when a situation like that arises the correct thing is that that circumstance, or any other circumstance, be handled independently of the political process — Mr E.S. Ripper : They can be dismissed on a whim! That is how it works. Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that is why this government set up a Public Sector Commission with a Public Sector Commissioner, Mr Mal Wauchope, in charge. Any matter to do with discipline, transfer, dismissal—should that arise—is handled through the Public Sector Commissioner. That is the situation. And that is the correct situation that should be in place.
Over 100 000 people work in the Western Australian public service. There is something like 160 different departments, agencies and corporations. It stands to reason that there will be occasions when, for whatever reason, a minister and a chief executive officer do not get on and do not have an effective working relationship. There will be other situations in which a minister may be dissatisfied with the way in which a CEO is going about his or her task. That will never be avoided. But when a situation like that arises the correct thing is that that circumstance, or any other circumstance, be handled independently of the political process — Mr E.S. Ripper : They can be dismissed on a whim! That is how it works. Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that is why this government set up a Public Sector Commission with a Public Sector Commissioner, Mr Mal Wauchope, in charge. Any matter to do with discipline, transfer, dismissal—should that arise—is handled through the Public Sector Commissioner. That is the situation. And that is the correct situation that should be in place.
Mr E.S. Ripper : They can be dismissed on a whim! That is how it works. Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that is why this government set up a Public Sector Commission with a Public Sector Commissioner, Mr Mal Wauchope, in charge. Any matter to do with discipline, transfer, dismissal—should that arise—is handled through the Public Sector Commissioner. That is the situation. And that is the correct situation that should be in place.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that is why this government set up a Public Sector Commission with a Public Sector Commissioner, Mr Mal Wauchope, in charge. Any matter to do with discipline, transfer, dismissal—should that arise—is handled through the Public Sector Commissioner. That is the situation. And that is the correct situation that should be in place.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Over 100 000 people work in the Western Australian public service. There is something like 160 different departments, agencies and corporations. It stands to reason that there will be occasions when, for whatever reason, a minister and a chief executive officer do not get on and do not have an effective working relationship. There will be other situations in which a minister may be dissatisfied with the way in which a CEO is going about his or her task. That will never be avoided. But when a situation like that arises the correct thing is that that circumstance, or any other circumstance, be handled independently of the political process — Mr E.S. Ripper : They can be dismissed on a whim! That is how it works. Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that is why this government set up a Public Sector Commission with a Public Sector Commissioner, Mr Mal Wauchope, in charge. Any matter to do with discipline, transfer, dismissal—should that arise—is handled through the Public Sector Commissioner. That is the situation. And that is the correct situation that should be in place.
Over 100 000 people work in the Western Australian public service. There is something like 160 different departments, agencies and corporations. It stands to reason that there will be occasions when, for whatever reason, a minister and a chief executive officer do not get on and do not have an effective working relationship. There will be other situations in which a minister may be dissatisfied with the way in which a CEO is going about his or her task. That will never be avoided. But when a situation like that arises the correct thing is that that circumstance, or any other circumstance, be handled independently of the political process — Mr E.S. Ripper : They can be dismissed on a whim! That is how it works. Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that is why this government set up a Public Sector Commission with a Public Sector Commissioner, Mr Mal Wauchope, in charge. Any matter to do with discipline, transfer, dismissal—should that arise—is handled through the Public Sector Commissioner. That is the situation. And that is the correct situation that should be in place.
Mr E.S. Ripper : They can be dismissed on a whim! That is how it works. Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that is why this government set up a Public Sector Commission with a Public Sector Commissioner, Mr Mal Wauchope, in charge. Any matter to do with discipline, transfer, dismissal—should that arise—is handled through the Public Sector Commissioner. That is the situation. And that is the correct situation that should be in place.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : — that is why this government set up a Public Sector Commission with a Public Sector Commissioner, Mr Mal Wauchope, in charge. Any matter to do with discipline, transfer, dismissal—should that arise—is handled through the Public Sector Commissioner. That is the situation. And that is the correct situation that should be in place.
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