Opposition questions the Premier about a high percentage of acting CEOs in the public sector without performance measures, and actions taken to address related service issues raised by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards. The Premier acknowledges the issue and cites procedural requirements and time constraints.

AnsweredQoN 110Legislative Assembly
Asked
28 March 2007
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

AUDITOR GENERAL’S REPORT - CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
I refer to the Auditor General’s report tabled today. (1) Will the Premier explain why a massive 25 per cent of chief executive officers employed in the public sector are in acting positions and do not even have performance measures? (2) What has the Premier done to address the service issues raised by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, Maxine Murray, in relation to this matter? Mr A.J. CARPENTER

AnswerView source ↗

(1) There are issues related to the appointment of CEOs and acting CEOs. Processes have to be undertaken, and they take time. People have left those positions and it takes time to appoint people, as correct procedures must be followed for the appointment of their substantive replacements. That is the answer to that. What was the second part of the question? Mr P.D. Omodei : What have you done to address the serious issues raised by Maxine Murray in relation to this matter? Can’t you remember that report? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The answer is - (2) I know that the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards made a range of comments about the performance of the public sector. It is in the interests of government, no matter which party is in government, to make sure that substantive people are placed in substantive positions. Real life dictates that sometimes that is not possible. I do not believe a question has ever been raised with any seriousness about the propriety or otherwise of the procedures that we have adopted in the appointment of people to those most senior positions in the public service. It is undesirable to have so many people in acting positions; I acknowledge that. However, the correct procedures must be followed and anybody who is advocating that they should not is advocating the wrong course.
(1) Will the Premier explain why a massive 25 per cent of chief executive officers employed in the public sector are in acting positions and do not even have performance measures? (2) What has the Premier done to address the service issues raised by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, Maxine Murray, in relation to this matter? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1) There are issues related to the appointment of CEOs and acting CEOs. Processes have to be undertaken, and they take time. People have left those positions and it takes time to appoint people, as correct procedures must be followed for the appointment of their substantive replacements. That is the answer to that. What was the second part of the question? Mr P.D. Omodei : What have you done to address the serious issues raised by Maxine Murray in relation to this matter? Can’t you remember that report? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The answer is - (2) I know that the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards made a range of comments about the performance of the public sector. It is in the interests of government, no matter which party is in government, to make sure that substantive people are placed in substantive positions. Real life dictates that sometimes that is not possible. I do not believe a question has ever been raised with any seriousness about the propriety or otherwise of the procedures that we have adopted in the appointment of people to those most senior positions in the public service. It is undesirable to have so many people in acting positions; I acknowledge that. However, the correct procedures must be followed and anybody who is advocating that they should not is advocating the wrong course.
(2) What has the Premier done to address the service issues raised by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, Maxine Murray, in relation to this matter? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1) There are issues related to the appointment of CEOs and acting CEOs. Processes have to be undertaken, and they take time. People have left those positions and it takes time to appoint people, as correct procedures must be followed for the appointment of their substantive replacements. That is the answer to that. What was the second part of the question? Mr P.D. Omodei : What have you done to address the serious issues raised by Maxine Murray in relation to this matter? Can’t you remember that report? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The answer is - (2) I know that the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards made a range of comments about the performance of the public sector. It is in the interests of government, no matter which party is in government, to make sure that substantive people are placed in substantive positions. Real life dictates that sometimes that is not possible. I do not believe a question has ever been raised with any seriousness about the propriety or otherwise of the procedures that we have adopted in the appointment of people to those most senior positions in the public service. It is undesirable to have so many people in acting positions; I acknowledge that. However, the correct procedures must be followed and anybody who is advocating that they should not is advocating the wrong course.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1) There are issues related to the appointment of CEOs and acting CEOs. Processes have to be undertaken, and they take time. People have left those positions and it takes time to appoint people, as correct procedures must be followed for the appointment of their substantive replacements. That is the answer to that. What was the second part of the question? Mr P.D. Omodei : What have you done to address the serious issues raised by Maxine Murray in relation to this matter? Can’t you remember that report? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The answer is - (2) I know that the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards made a range of comments about the performance of the public sector. It is in the interests of government, no matter which party is in government, to make sure that substantive people are placed in substantive positions. Real life dictates that sometimes that is not possible. I do not believe a question has ever been raised with any seriousness about the propriety or otherwise of the procedures that we have adopted in the appointment of people to those most senior positions in the public service. It is undesirable to have so many people in acting positions; I acknowledge that. However, the correct procedures must be followed and anybody who is advocating that they should not is advocating the wrong course.
(1) There are issues related to the appointment of CEOs and acting CEOs. Processes have to be undertaken, and they take time. People have left those positions and it takes time to appoint people, as correct procedures must be followed for the appointment of their substantive replacements. That is the answer to that. What was the second part of the question? Mr P.D. Omodei : What have you done to address the serious issues raised by Maxine Murray in relation to this matter? Can’t you remember that report? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The answer is - (2) I know that the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards made a range of comments about the performance of the public sector. It is in the interests of government, no matter which party is in government, to make sure that substantive people are placed in substantive positions. Real life dictates that sometimes that is not possible. I do not believe a question has ever been raised with any seriousness about the propriety or otherwise of the procedures that we have adopted in the appointment of people to those most senior positions in the public service. It is undesirable to have so many people in acting positions; I acknowledge that. However, the correct procedures must be followed and anybody who is advocating that they should not is advocating the wrong course.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The answer is - (2) I know that the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards made a range of comments about the performance of the public sector. It is in the interests of government, no matter which party is in government, to make sure that substantive people are placed in substantive positions. Real life dictates that sometimes that is not possible. I do not believe a question has ever been raised with any seriousness about the propriety or otherwise of the procedures that we have adopted in the appointment of people to those most senior positions in the public service. It is undesirable to have so many people in acting positions; I acknowledge that. However, the correct procedures must be followed and anybody who is advocating that they should not is advocating the wrong course.
(2) I know that the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards made a range of comments about the performance of the public sector. It is in the interests of government, no matter which party is in government, to make sure that substantive people are placed in substantive positions. Real life dictates that sometimes that is not possible. I do not believe a question has ever been raised with any seriousness about the propriety or otherwise of the procedures that we have adopted in the appointment of people to those most senior positions in the public service. It is undesirable to have so many people in acting positions; I acknowledge that. However, the correct procedures must be followed and anybody who is advocating that they should not is advocating the wrong course.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more