❓ Opposition MP Michael Mischin questions the appointment of Toni Walkington to the WAIRC, focusing on transparency and selection process. The government defends the appointment citing Walkington's expertise and adherence to the Industrial Relations Act.
AnsweredQoN 1078Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION —
TONI WALKINGTON
1078. Hon MICHAEL MISCHIN to the minister representing the
Minister for Commerce and Industrial Relations:
I refer to the minister's announcement on 24 October
of the appointment of public sector union leader Toni Walkington as a commissioner
of the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission.
(1) Given the
McGowan government's professed commitment to transparency,
accountability and honest government, will the minister detail the process by
which Ms Walkington was chosen for the position, including when and by what
means the position was advertised, the selection criteria and qualifications
specified as necessary and desirable for the position, and the salary and
conditions for the position, and will the minister table the advertisement and
the selection criteria?
(2) How many
applications were received and considered, how many were in response to any
advertisement, how many were unsolicited, and when and by whom were they
received and considered before the minister made his selection?
(3) What persuaded the minister to appoint Ms Walkington over
any other applicant for the position?
TONI WALKINGTON
1078. Hon MICHAEL MISCHIN to the minister representing the
Minister for Commerce and Industrial Relations:
I refer to the minister's announcement on 24 October
of the appointment of public sector union leader Toni Walkington as a commissioner
of the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission.
(1) Given the
McGowan government's professed commitment to transparency,
accountability and honest government, will the minister detail the process by
which Ms Walkington was chosen for the position, including when and by what
means the position was advertised, the selection criteria and qualifications
specified as necessary and desirable for the position, and the salary and
conditions for the position, and will the minister table the advertisement and
the selection criteria?
(2) How many
applications were received and considered, how many were in response to any
advertisement, how many were unsolicited, and when and by whom were they
received and considered before the minister made his selection?
(3) What persuaded the minister to appoint Ms Walkington over
any other applicant for the position?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Regional Development,
I provide the following answer.
(1)–(2) Section
8(2) of the Industrial Relations Act 1979 provides that members of the Western Australian
Industrial Relations Commission are appointed by the Governor in Executive
Council. The government has followed the process required by the Industrial
Relations Act to appoint Toni Walkington as a commissioner. In line with
informal conventions, historically followed by both parties, the minister
provided advice to the Governor following soundings with the appropriate
industrial parties.
(3) Ms Walkington
brings a vast amount of industrial relations expertise to the role. Further,
the majority of the WAIRC's work now relates to industrial matters in
the state public sector. Ms Walkington will bring to the WAIRC her vast
knowledge and experience of dealing with public sector matters. Her appointment
will also add some balance to the WAIRC's membership, given there are
currently no commissioners appointed from union backgrounds.
some notice of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Regional Development,
I provide the following answer.
(1)–(2) Section
8(2) of the Industrial Relations Act 1979 provides that members of the Western Australian
Industrial Relations Commission are appointed by the Governor in Executive
Council. The government has followed the process required by the Industrial
Relations Act to appoint Toni Walkington as a commissioner. In line with
informal conventions, historically followed by both parties, the minister
provided advice to the Governor following soundings with the appropriate
industrial parties.
(3) Ms Walkington
brings a vast amount of industrial relations expertise to the role. Further,
the majority of the WAIRC's work now relates to industrial matters in
the state public sector. Ms Walkington will bring to the WAIRC her vast
knowledge and experience of dealing with public sector matters. Her appointment
will also add some balance to the WAIRC's membership, given there are
currently no commissioners appointed from union backgrounds.
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