❓ Hon. Norman Moore questions the process of setting the Fair Employment Advocate's salary at a senior executive level and the lack of transparency surrounding the decision-making process.
AnsweredQoN 337Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
FAIR EMPLOYMENT ADVOCATE - HELEN CREED
I refer the minister to question without notice 253 concerning the appointment of Ms Helen Creed to the position of Fair Employment Advocate and the determination of the salary for the position. (1) Was the decision to remunerate the advocate position at a senior executive level made by the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal? (2) If not, who made the decision? (3) If the answer to (1) is yes, why will the tribunal not release the documents to show the rationale behind the classification? (4) Will the minister explain how Parliament can operate as an accountability mechanism for the community if the government and its agencies do not disclose relevant information? Hon JON FORD
I refer the minister to question without notice 253 concerning the appointment of Ms Helen Creed to the position of Fair Employment Advocate and the determination of the salary for the position. (1) Was the decision to remunerate the advocate position at a senior executive level made by the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal? (2) If not, who made the decision? (3) If the answer to (1) is yes, why will the tribunal not release the documents to show the rationale behind the classification? (4) Will the minister explain how Parliament can operate as an accountability mechanism for the community if the government and its agencies do not disclose relevant information? Hon JON FORD
AnswerView source ↗
On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Employment Protection, I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for some notice of the question. The Minister for Employment Protection has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The submission put to government by the former Minister for Employment Protection recommended the inclusion of the position in the special division of the public service in order to attract the best possible field from which to choose a suitably qualified person. The Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, based on advice from the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, recommended to the Minister for Public Sector Management that the position be included in the special division of the public service. The minister recommended this to the Governor and the recommendation was approved in Executive Council. (3) Section 10 of the Salaries and Allowances Act 1975 provides the tribunal with wide-ranging powers in its methods of inquiry, including the same powers, rights and privileges as those pertaining to a royal commission. The tribunal has previously advised that it will not release any of the information it may care to consider in making its determinations. (4) The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal was expressly established to create a body completely independent in its deliberations and determinations on the Parliament and the government of the day. The tribunal’s determinations are legally binding and are published in the Government Gazette . Hon Norman Moore : Perhaps the minister might read Hon George Cash’s speech some time if he gets the chance.
(1) Was the decision to remunerate the advocate position at a senior executive level made by the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal? (2) If not, who made the decision? (3) If the answer to (1) is yes, why will the tribunal not release the documents to show the rationale behind the classification? (4) Will the minister explain how Parliament can operate as an accountability mechanism for the community if the government and its agencies do not disclose relevant information? Hon JON FORD replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Employment Protection, I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for some notice of the question. The Minister for Employment Protection has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The submission put to government by the former Minister for Employment Protection recommended the inclusion of the position in the special division of the public service in order to attract the best possible field from which to choose a suitably qualified person. The Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, based on advice from the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, recommended to the Minister for Public Sector Management that the position be included in the special division of the public service. The minister recommended this to the Governor and the recommendation was approved in Executive Council. (3) Section 10 of the Salaries and Allowances Act 1975 provides the tribunal with wide-ranging powers in its methods of inquiry, including the same powers, rights and privileges as those pertaining to a royal commission. The tribunal has previously advised that it will not release any of the information it may care to consider in making its determinations. (4) The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal was expressly established to create a body completely independent in its deliberations and determinations on the Parliament and the government of the day. The tribunal’s determinations are legally binding and are published in the Government Gazette . Hon Norman Moore : Perhaps the minister might read Hon George Cash’s speech some time if he gets the chance.
(2) If not, who made the decision? (3) If the answer to (1) is yes, why will the tribunal not release the documents to show the rationale behind the classification? (4) Will the minister explain how Parliament can operate as an accountability mechanism for the community if the government and its agencies do not disclose relevant information? Hon JON FORD replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Employment Protection, I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for some notice of the question. The Minister for Employment Protection has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The submission put to government by the former Minister for Employment Protection recommended the inclusion of the position in the special division of the public service in order to attract the best possible field from which to choose a suitably qualified person. The Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, based on advice from the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, recommended to the Minister for Public Sector Management that the position be included in the special division of the public service. The minister recommended this to the Governor and the recommendation was approved in Executive Council. (3) Section 10 of the Salaries and Allowances Act 1975 provides the tribunal with wide-ranging powers in its methods of inquiry, including the same powers, rights and privileges as those pertaining to a royal commission. The tribunal has previously advised that it will not release any of the information it may care to consider in making its determinations. (4) The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal was expressly established to create a body completely independent in its deliberations and determinations on the Parliament and the government of the day. The tribunal’s determinations are legally binding and are published in the Government Gazette . Hon Norman Moore : Perhaps the minister might read Hon George Cash’s speech some time if he gets the chance.
(3) If the answer to (1) is yes, why will the tribunal not release the documents to show the rationale behind the classification? (4) Will the minister explain how Parliament can operate as an accountability mechanism for the community if the government and its agencies do not disclose relevant information? Hon JON FORD replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Employment Protection, I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for some notice of the question. The Minister for Employment Protection has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The submission put to government by the former Minister for Employment Protection recommended the inclusion of the position in the special division of the public service in order to attract the best possible field from which to choose a suitably qualified person. The Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, based on advice from the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, recommended to the Minister for Public Sector Management that the position be included in the special division of the public service. The minister recommended this to the Governor and the recommendation was approved in Executive Council. (3) Section 10 of the Salaries and Allowances Act 1975 provides the tribunal with wide-ranging powers in its methods of inquiry, including the same powers, rights and privileges as those pertaining to a royal commission. The tribunal has previously advised that it will not release any of the information it may care to consider in making its determinations. (4) The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal was expressly established to create a body completely independent in its deliberations and determinations on the Parliament and the government of the day. The tribunal’s determinations are legally binding and are published in the Government Gazette . Hon Norman Moore : Perhaps the minister might read Hon George Cash’s speech some time if he gets the chance.
(4) Will the minister explain how Parliament can operate as an accountability mechanism for the community if the government and its agencies do not disclose relevant information? Hon JON FORD replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Employment Protection, I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for some notice of the question. The Minister for Employment Protection has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The submission put to government by the former Minister for Employment Protection recommended the inclusion of the position in the special division of the public service in order to attract the best possible field from which to choose a suitably qualified person. The Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, based on advice from the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, recommended to the Minister for Public Sector Management that the position be included in the special division of the public service. The minister recommended this to the Governor and the recommendation was approved in Executive Council. (3) Section 10 of the Salaries and Allowances Act 1975 provides the tribunal with wide-ranging powers in its methods of inquiry, including the same powers, rights and privileges as those pertaining to a royal commission. The tribunal has previously advised that it will not release any of the information it may care to consider in making its determinations. (4) The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal was expressly established to create a body completely independent in its deliberations and determinations on the Parliament and the government of the day. The tribunal’s determinations are legally binding and are published in the Government Gazette . Hon Norman Moore : Perhaps the minister might read Hon George Cash’s speech some time if he gets the chance.
Hon JON FORD replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Employment Protection, I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for some notice of the question. The Minister for Employment Protection has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The submission put to government by the former Minister for Employment Protection recommended the inclusion of the position in the special division of the public service in order to attract the best possible field from which to choose a suitably qualified person. The Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, based on advice from the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, recommended to the Minister for Public Sector Management that the position be included in the special division of the public service. The minister recommended this to the Governor and the recommendation was approved in Executive Council. (3) Section 10 of the Salaries and Allowances Act 1975 provides the tribunal with wide-ranging powers in its methods of inquiry, including the same powers, rights and privileges as those pertaining to a royal commission. The tribunal has previously advised that it will not release any of the information it may care to consider in making its determinations. (4) The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal was expressly established to create a body completely independent in its deliberations and determinations on the Parliament and the government of the day. The tribunal’s determinations are legally binding and are published in the Government Gazette . Hon Norman Moore : Perhaps the minister might read Hon George Cash’s speech some time if he gets the chance.
On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Employment Protection, I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for some notice of the question. The Minister for Employment Protection has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The submission put to government by the former Minister for Employment Protection recommended the inclusion of the position in the special division of the public service in order to attract the best possible field from which to choose a suitably qualified person. The Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, based on advice from the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, recommended to the Minister for Public Sector Management that the position be included in the special division of the public service. The minister recommended this to the Governor and the recommendation was approved in Executive Council. (3) Section 10 of the Salaries and Allowances Act 1975 provides the tribunal with wide-ranging powers in its methods of inquiry, including the same powers, rights and privileges as those pertaining to a royal commission. The tribunal has previously advised that it will not release any of the information it may care to consider in making its determinations. (4) The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal was expressly established to create a body completely independent in its deliberations and determinations on the Parliament and the government of the day. The tribunal’s determinations are legally binding and are published in the Government Gazette . Hon Norman Moore : Perhaps the minister might read Hon George Cash’s speech some time if he gets the chance.
(1)-(2) The submission put to government by the former Minister for Employment Protection recommended the inclusion of the position in the special division of the public service in order to attract the best possible field from which to choose a suitably qualified person. The Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, based on advice from the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, recommended to the Minister for Public Sector Management that the position be included in the special division of the public service. The minister recommended this to the Governor and the recommendation was approved in Executive Council. (3) Section 10 of the Salaries and Allowances Act 1975 provides the tribunal with wide-ranging powers in its methods of inquiry, including the same powers, rights and privileges as those pertaining to a royal commission. The tribunal has previously advised that it will not release any of the information it may care to consider in making its determinations. (4) The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal was expressly established to create a body completely independent in its deliberations and determinations on the Parliament and the government of the day. The tribunal’s determinations are legally binding and are published in the Government Gazette . Hon Norman Moore : Perhaps the minister might read Hon George Cash’s speech some time if he gets the chance.
(3) Section 10 of the Salaries and Allowances Act 1975 provides the tribunal with wide-ranging powers in its methods of inquiry, including the same powers, rights and privileges as those pertaining to a royal commission. The tribunal has previously advised that it will not release any of the information it may care to consider in making its determinations. (4) The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal was expressly established to create a body completely independent in its deliberations and determinations on the Parliament and the government of the day. The tribunal’s determinations are legally binding and are published in the Government Gazette . Hon Norman Moore : Perhaps the minister might read Hon George Cash’s speech some time if he gets the chance.
(4) The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal was expressly established to create a body completely independent in its deliberations and determinations on the Parliament and the government of the day. The tribunal’s determinations are legally binding and are published in the Government Gazette . Hon Norman Moore : Perhaps the minister might read Hon George Cash’s speech some time if he gets the chance.
Hon Norman Moore : Perhaps the minister might read Hon George Cash’s speech some time if he gets the chance.
(1) Was the decision to remunerate the advocate position at a senior executive level made by the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal? (2) If not, who made the decision? (3) If the answer to (1) is yes, why will the tribunal not release the documents to show the rationale behind the classification? (4) Will the minister explain how Parliament can operate as an accountability mechanism for the community if the government and its agencies do not disclose relevant information? Hon JON FORD replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Employment Protection, I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for some notice of the question. The Minister for Employment Protection has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The submission put to government by the former Minister for Employment Protection recommended the inclusion of the position in the special division of the public service in order to attract the best possible field from which to choose a suitably qualified person. The Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, based on advice from the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, recommended to the Minister for Public Sector Management that the position be included in the special division of the public service. The minister recommended this to the Governor and the recommendation was approved in Executive Council. (3) Section 10 of the Salaries and Allowances Act 1975 provides the tribunal with wide-ranging powers in its methods of inquiry, including the same powers, rights and privileges as those pertaining to a royal commission. The tribunal has previously advised that it will not release any of the information it may care to consider in making its determinations. (4) The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal was expressly established to create a body completely independent in its deliberations and determinations on the Parliament and the government of the day. The tribunal’s determinations are legally binding and are published in the Government Gazette . Hon Norman Moore : Perhaps the minister might read Hon George Cash’s speech some time if he gets the chance.
(2) If not, who made the decision? (3) If the answer to (1) is yes, why will the tribunal not release the documents to show the rationale behind the classification? (4) Will the minister explain how Parliament can operate as an accountability mechanism for the community if the government and its agencies do not disclose relevant information? Hon JON FORD replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Employment Protection, I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for some notice of the question. The Minister for Employment Protection has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The submission put to government by the former Minister for Employment Protection recommended the inclusion of the position in the special division of the public service in order to attract the best possible field from which to choose a suitably qualified person. The Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, based on advice from the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, recommended to the Minister for Public Sector Management that the position be included in the special division of the public service. The minister recommended this to the Governor and the recommendation was approved in Executive Council. (3) Section 10 of the Salaries and Allowances Act 1975 provides the tribunal with wide-ranging powers in its methods of inquiry, including the same powers, rights and privileges as those pertaining to a royal commission. The tribunal has previously advised that it will not release any of the information it may care to consider in making its determinations. (4) The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal was expressly established to create a body completely independent in its deliberations and determinations on the Parliament and the government of the day. The tribunal’s determinations are legally binding and are published in the Government Gazette . Hon Norman Moore : Perhaps the minister might read Hon George Cash’s speech some time if he gets the chance.
(3) If the answer to (1) is yes, why will the tribunal not release the documents to show the rationale behind the classification? (4) Will the minister explain how Parliament can operate as an accountability mechanism for the community if the government and its agencies do not disclose relevant information? Hon JON FORD replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Employment Protection, I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for some notice of the question. The Minister for Employment Protection has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The submission put to government by the former Minister for Employment Protection recommended the inclusion of the position in the special division of the public service in order to attract the best possible field from which to choose a suitably qualified person. The Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, based on advice from the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, recommended to the Minister for Public Sector Management that the position be included in the special division of the public service. The minister recommended this to the Governor and the recommendation was approved in Executive Council. (3) Section 10 of the Salaries and Allowances Act 1975 provides the tribunal with wide-ranging powers in its methods of inquiry, including the same powers, rights and privileges as those pertaining to a royal commission. The tribunal has previously advised that it will not release any of the information it may care to consider in making its determinations. (4) The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal was expressly established to create a body completely independent in its deliberations and determinations on the Parliament and the government of the day. The tribunal’s determinations are legally binding and are published in the Government Gazette . Hon Norman Moore : Perhaps the minister might read Hon George Cash’s speech some time if he gets the chance.
(4) Will the minister explain how Parliament can operate as an accountability mechanism for the community if the government and its agencies do not disclose relevant information? Hon JON FORD replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Employment Protection, I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for some notice of the question. The Minister for Employment Protection has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The submission put to government by the former Minister for Employment Protection recommended the inclusion of the position in the special division of the public service in order to attract the best possible field from which to choose a suitably qualified person. The Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, based on advice from the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, recommended to the Minister for Public Sector Management that the position be included in the special division of the public service. The minister recommended this to the Governor and the recommendation was approved in Executive Council. (3) Section 10 of the Salaries and Allowances Act 1975 provides the tribunal with wide-ranging powers in its methods of inquiry, including the same powers, rights and privileges as those pertaining to a royal commission. The tribunal has previously advised that it will not release any of the information it may care to consider in making its determinations. (4) The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal was expressly established to create a body completely independent in its deliberations and determinations on the Parliament and the government of the day. The tribunal’s determinations are legally binding and are published in the Government Gazette . Hon Norman Moore : Perhaps the minister might read Hon George Cash’s speech some time if he gets the chance.
Hon JON FORD replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Employment Protection, I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for some notice of the question. The Minister for Employment Protection has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The submission put to government by the former Minister for Employment Protection recommended the inclusion of the position in the special division of the public service in order to attract the best possible field from which to choose a suitably qualified person. The Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, based on advice from the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, recommended to the Minister for Public Sector Management that the position be included in the special division of the public service. The minister recommended this to the Governor and the recommendation was approved in Executive Council. (3) Section 10 of the Salaries and Allowances Act 1975 provides the tribunal with wide-ranging powers in its methods of inquiry, including the same powers, rights and privileges as those pertaining to a royal commission. The tribunal has previously advised that it will not release any of the information it may care to consider in making its determinations. (4) The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal was expressly established to create a body completely independent in its deliberations and determinations on the Parliament and the government of the day. The tribunal’s determinations are legally binding and are published in the Government Gazette . Hon Norman Moore : Perhaps the minister might read Hon George Cash’s speech some time if he gets the chance.
On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Employment Protection, I thank the honourable Leader of the Opposition for some notice of the question. The Minister for Employment Protection has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The submission put to government by the former Minister for Employment Protection recommended the inclusion of the position in the special division of the public service in order to attract the best possible field from which to choose a suitably qualified person. The Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, based on advice from the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, recommended to the Minister for Public Sector Management that the position be included in the special division of the public service. The minister recommended this to the Governor and the recommendation was approved in Executive Council. (3) Section 10 of the Salaries and Allowances Act 1975 provides the tribunal with wide-ranging powers in its methods of inquiry, including the same powers, rights and privileges as those pertaining to a royal commission. The tribunal has previously advised that it will not release any of the information it may care to consider in making its determinations. (4) The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal was expressly established to create a body completely independent in its deliberations and determinations on the Parliament and the government of the day. The tribunal’s determinations are legally binding and are published in the Government Gazette . Hon Norman Moore : Perhaps the minister might read Hon George Cash’s speech some time if he gets the chance.
(1)-(2) The submission put to government by the former Minister for Employment Protection recommended the inclusion of the position in the special division of the public service in order to attract the best possible field from which to choose a suitably qualified person. The Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, based on advice from the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, recommended to the Minister for Public Sector Management that the position be included in the special division of the public service. The minister recommended this to the Governor and the recommendation was approved in Executive Council. (3) Section 10 of the Salaries and Allowances Act 1975 provides the tribunal with wide-ranging powers in its methods of inquiry, including the same powers, rights and privileges as those pertaining to a royal commission. The tribunal has previously advised that it will not release any of the information it may care to consider in making its determinations. (4) The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal was expressly established to create a body completely independent in its deliberations and determinations on the Parliament and the government of the day. The tribunal’s determinations are legally binding and are published in the Government Gazette . Hon Norman Moore : Perhaps the minister might read Hon George Cash’s speech some time if he gets the chance.
(3) Section 10 of the Salaries and Allowances Act 1975 provides the tribunal with wide-ranging powers in its methods of inquiry, including the same powers, rights and privileges as those pertaining to a royal commission. The tribunal has previously advised that it will not release any of the information it may care to consider in making its determinations. (4) The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal was expressly established to create a body completely independent in its deliberations and determinations on the Parliament and the government of the day. The tribunal’s determinations are legally binding and are published in the Government Gazette . Hon Norman Moore : Perhaps the minister might read Hon George Cash’s speech some time if he gets the chance.
(4) The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal was expressly established to create a body completely independent in its deliberations and determinations on the Parliament and the government of the day. The tribunal’s determinations are legally binding and are published in the Government Gazette . Hon Norman Moore : Perhaps the minister might read Hon George Cash’s speech some time if he gets the chance.
Hon Norman Moore : Perhaps the minister might read Hon George Cash’s speech some time if he gets the chance.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.