❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks information regarding the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Advisory Committee, specifically concerning member appointments, disclosure, and the statutory basis for withholding member names. The Minister's response cites the absence of a requirement to gazette appointments and the application of a whole-of-government framework for withholding member names.
AnsweredQoN 4164Legislative Assembly
Asked
9 October 2018
Member
Portfolio
Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Mental Health
QuestionView source ↗
In relation to the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Advisory Committee established pursuant to section 5 of the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1996, I ask if the Minister would state: (a) the reason why no nomination or appointment of any new member to the committee has been published in the Gazette since gazettal of the appointments of Dr Stephen Langford, Dr Joao (John) Camacho and Cr Belinda Ann Rowland on 23 November 2012 ; (b) the reason why the membership of the committee (excepting that of Chairman Dr Richard Lugg) is not disclosed either in the Department of Health Annual Report 2016-2017 or in the Department's three preceding annual reports; and (c) the statutory basis for the Minister's decision to withhold the names of members of the said committee (other than that of Chairman Dr Richard Lugg), as indicated at: (i) page 112 of the Department of Health Annual Report 2016-2017 ; (ii) page 116 of the Department of Health Annual Report 2015-2016 ; (iii) page 167 of the Department of Health Annual report 2014-2015 ; (iv) page 151 of the Department of Health Annual report 2013-2014 : and, in case no such Statutory basis exists -: (A) the following information in relation to each current member of the said committee; (v) full name and title; (vi) date of commencement of membership ex officio , by reason of nomination,or by reason of appointment, as the case may be; (vii) if the member is a nominated member or an appointed member, the term for which the member is nominated or appointed, as the case may be; and (viii) the paragraph of section 5 of the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1966 pursuant to which the member performs functions ex officio, was nominated , or was appointed, as the case may be?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
20 November 2018
Response time
12 days
I am advised that:
(a) There is no requirement under the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1996 (the Act) to do so.
(b) The Annual Reporting Framework that is published by the Public Sector Commission and adopted across the whole of Government provides for the withholding of names of members of Government Boards and Committees in certain circumstances. Accordingly, the Minister for Health has considered the circumstances of the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Advisory Committee (the Committee) and elected to withhold public identification of members of this Committee (apart from the Chair).
(c) The Minister for Health is not in a position to know the reason for decisions of a previous Government. Nonetheless, the following information can be provided in relation to the current members:
(A)
(v) The current Chair of the Committee is Dr Richard Lugg. The other members of the Committee will not be identified. Response to (b) refers.
(vi) Dr Lugg has been Chair since September 2002, with the remaining members of the current Committee commencing in either October 2017 or September 2018.
(vii) For the member under section 5(2)(a) of the Act and for the members nominated under section 5(2)(b) or (d) of the Act, the term is subject to 5(8) or 5(10) of the Act but is otherwise not stipulated. For members appointed under 5(2)(e) of the Act, the term is stipulated under section 5(6) of the Act and is subject to 5(7), 5(8) or 5(10) of the Act.
(viii) Nominations and appointments are made pursuant to section 5(2) of the Act and are subject to the provisions set out in the remainder of section 5 of the Act.
(a) There is no requirement under the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Act 1996 (the Act) to do so.
(b) The Annual Reporting Framework that is published by the Public Sector Commission and adopted across the whole of Government provides for the withholding of names of members of Government Boards and Committees in certain circumstances. Accordingly, the Minister for Health has considered the circumstances of the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Advisory Committee (the Committee) and elected to withhold public identification of members of this Committee (apart from the Chair).
(c) The Minister for Health is not in a position to know the reason for decisions of a previous Government. Nonetheless, the following information can be provided in relation to the current members:
(A)
(v) The current Chair of the Committee is Dr Richard Lugg. The other members of the Committee will not be identified. Response to (b) refers.
(vi) Dr Lugg has been Chair since September 2002, with the remaining members of the current Committee commencing in either October 2017 or September 2018.
(vii) For the member under section 5(2)(a) of the Act and for the members nominated under section 5(2)(b) or (d) of the Act, the term is subject to 5(8) or 5(10) of the Act but is otherwise not stipulated. For members appointed under 5(2)(e) of the Act, the term is stipulated under section 5(6) of the Act and is subject to 5(7), 5(8) or 5(10) of the Act.
(viii) Nominations and appointments are made pursuant to section 5(2) of the Act and are subject to the provisions set out in the remainder of section 5 of the Act.
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