A parliamentary question regarding the termination of the acting head of the Department of Environmental Protection, Roger Payne, focusing on the involvement of the Minister and the Premier in the decision-making process. The Minister's answers are somewhat evasive, particularly regarding the Premier's role.

AnsweredQoN 424Legislative Assembly
Asked
25 February 2003
Portfolio
Environment and Heritage

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to a report in The West Australian on 7 February 2003 regarding two conflicting versions of the events surrounding the management-initiated redundancy, or retirement, of Mr Roger Payne, the former acting head of the Department of Environmental Protection. (1) When did the minister first meet with Roger Payne to discuss his termination as acting head of the Department of Environmental Protection? (2) Did the minister at any stage reject any offer of resignation by Mr Payne? (3) On what date did the Premier become involved in discussions about Mr Payne’s termination as acting head of the Department of Environmental Protection? (4) What was the nature of the Premier’s involvement in the decision to terminate Mr Payne’s employment as the head of the minister’s department? Dr J.M. EDWARDS

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. (1) 20 January 2003. (2) No. (3) The Leader of the Opposition would need to ask the Premier that question. (4) I had a general discussion with the Premier on the night of 27 January.  The Premier returned to work on 28 January when he finalised the arrangements for Mr Payne’s departure with Mr Payne.
(1) When did the minister first meet with Roger Payne to discuss his termination as acting head of the Department of Environmental Protection? (2) Did the minister at any stage reject any offer of resignation by Mr Payne? (3) On what date did the Premier become involved in discussions about Mr Payne’s termination as acting head of the Department of Environmental Protection? (4) What was the nature of the Premier’s involvement in the decision to terminate Mr Payne’s employment as the head of the minister’s department? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. (1) 20 January 2003. (2) No. (3) The Leader of the Opposition would need to ask the Premier that question. (4) I had a general discussion with the Premier on the night of 27 January.  The Premier returned to work on 28 January when he finalised the arrangements for Mr Payne’s departure with Mr Payne.
(2) Did the minister at any stage reject any offer of resignation by Mr Payne? (3) On what date did the Premier become involved in discussions about Mr Payne’s termination as acting head of the Department of Environmental Protection? (4) What was the nature of the Premier’s involvement in the decision to terminate Mr Payne’s employment as the head of the minister’s department? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. (1) 20 January 2003. (2) No. (3) The Leader of the Opposition would need to ask the Premier that question. (4) I had a general discussion with the Premier on the night of 27 January.  The Premier returned to work on 28 January when he finalised the arrangements for Mr Payne’s departure with Mr Payne.
(3) On what date did the Premier become involved in discussions about Mr Payne’s termination as acting head of the Department of Environmental Protection? (4) What was the nature of the Premier’s involvement in the decision to terminate Mr Payne’s employment as the head of the minister’s department? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. (1) 20 January 2003. (2) No. (3) The Leader of the Opposition would need to ask the Premier that question. (4) I had a general discussion with the Premier on the night of 27 January.  The Premier returned to work on 28 January when he finalised the arrangements for Mr Payne’s departure with Mr Payne.
(4) What was the nature of the Premier’s involvement in the decision to terminate Mr Payne’s employment as the head of the minister’s department? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. (1) 20 January 2003. (2) No. (3) The Leader of the Opposition would need to ask the Premier that question. (4) I had a general discussion with the Premier on the night of 27 January.  The Premier returned to work on 28 January when he finalised the arrangements for Mr Payne’s departure with Mr Payne.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. (1) 20 January 2003. (2) No. (3) The Leader of the Opposition would need to ask the Premier that question. (4) I had a general discussion with the Premier on the night of 27 January.  The Premier returned to work on 28 January when he finalised the arrangements for Mr Payne’s departure with Mr Payne.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. (1) 20 January 2003. (2) No. (3) The Leader of the Opposition would need to ask the Premier that question. (4) I had a general discussion with the Premier on the night of 27 January.  The Premier returned to work on 28 January when he finalised the arrangements for Mr Payne’s departure with Mr Payne.
(1) 20 January 2003. (2) No. (3) The Leader of the Opposition would need to ask the Premier that question. (4) I had a general discussion with the Premier on the night of 27 January.  The Premier returned to work on 28 January when he finalised the arrangements for Mr Payne’s departure with Mr Payne.
(2) No. (3) The Leader of the Opposition would need to ask the Premier that question. (4) I had a general discussion with the Premier on the night of 27 January.  The Premier returned to work on 28 January when he finalised the arrangements for Mr Payne’s departure with Mr Payne.
(3) The Leader of the Opposition would need to ask the Premier that question. (4) I had a general discussion with the Premier on the night of 27 January.  The Premier returned to work on 28 January when he finalised the arrangements for Mr Payne’s departure with Mr Payne.
(4) I had a general discussion with the Premier on the night of 27 January.  The Premier returned to work on 28 January when he finalised the arrangements for Mr Payne’s departure with Mr Payne.

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