❓ Hon Frank Hough questions the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection regarding Harry Neesham's actions as head of WorkCover, alleging misleading information about a deadline for injured workers' claims and potential corruption. The Minister delays answering, citing a missing document.
AnsweredQoN 369Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Has the minister been provided with a copy of the transcript of the radio debate that took place on Radio 6PR on 14 December 1999 involving Richard Court, Harry Neesham and Paul O’Halloran? (2) Will the minister confirm that Paul O’Halloran asked Richard Court and Harry Neesham several times the deadline for injured workers to lodge their common law claim under the new rules passed on 5 October 1999? (3) Will the minister confirm that the deadline was, in fact, 14 December 1999, being the same day as the radio debate? (4) Will the minister confirm that, despite being asked several times by Paul O’Halloran, neither Richard Court nor Harry Neesham answered the questions, and nor did either of them make it clear when the deadline was? (5) Is the minister aware that later that day a regulation was passed that had the effect of backdating the deadline referred to by 24 hours to the previous day? (6) Is the minister able to confirm that Harry Neesham passed this regulation which had this effect; and, if not, who passed the regulation? (7) Will the minister now stand down or sack Harry Neesham from his position as the head of WorkCover in light of these scandalous actions and the fact that this matter has now been referred to the Anti-Corruption Commission by an outraged injured worker? (8) If the minister will not stand down or sack Harry Neesham, will he explain to the House why he will not do so, having regard to these serious allegations that neither Harry Neesham nor the minister has seen fit to publicly refute? (9) Will the minister give detailed information of the names of all members of Parliament who carried out inquiries into Neesham’s actions regarding these events, the date of that inquiry and the evidence given at the inquiry and the conclusions reached? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS
AnswerView source ↗
Shortly before question time I received notice of a question dealing with issues such as those raised by the honourable member in the question he has just posed. I do not have a copy of the document in front of me; it has not found its way back to my file. I do not know therefore whether the question asked by the honourable member is exactly the same as that in the document I saw earlier. When the document arrives I will endeavour to answer the question if it is allowed within standing orders at the time.
(2) Will the minister confirm that Paul O’Halloran asked Richard Court and Harry Neesham several times the deadline for injured workers to lodge their common law claim under the new rules passed on 5 October 1999? (3) Will the minister confirm that the deadline was, in fact, 14 December 1999, being the same day as the radio debate? (4) Will the minister confirm that, despite being asked several times by Paul O’Halloran, neither Richard Court nor Harry Neesham answered the questions, and nor did either of them make it clear when the deadline was? (5) Is the minister aware that later that day a regulation was passed that had the effect of backdating the deadline referred to by 24 hours to the previous day? (6) Is the minister able to confirm that Harry Neesham passed this regulation which had this effect; and, if not, who passed the regulation? (7) Will the minister now stand down or sack Harry Neesham from his position as the head of WorkCover in light of these scandalous actions and the fact that this matter has now been referred to the Anti-Corruption Commission by an outraged injured worker? (8) If the minister will not stand down or sack Harry Neesham, will he explain to the House why he will not do so, having regard to these serious allegations that neither Harry Neesham nor the minister has seen fit to publicly refute? (9) Will the minister give detailed information of the names of all members of Parliament who carried out inquiries into Neesham’s actions regarding these events, the date of that inquiry and the evidence given at the inquiry and the conclusions reached? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: Shortly before question time I received notice of a question dealing with issues such as those raised by the honourable member in the question he has just posed. I do not have a copy of the document in front of me; it has not found its way back to my file. I do not know therefore whether the question asked by the honourable member is exactly the same as that in the document I saw earlier. When the document arrives I will endeavour to answer the question if it is allowed within standing orders at the time.
(3) Will the minister confirm that the deadline was, in fact, 14 December 1999, being the same day as the radio debate? (4) Will the minister confirm that, despite being asked several times by Paul O’Halloran, neither Richard Court nor Harry Neesham answered the questions, and nor did either of them make it clear when the deadline was? (5) Is the minister aware that later that day a regulation was passed that had the effect of backdating the deadline referred to by 24 hours to the previous day? (6) Is the minister able to confirm that Harry Neesham passed this regulation which had this effect; and, if not, who passed the regulation? (7) Will the minister now stand down or sack Harry Neesham from his position as the head of WorkCover in light of these scandalous actions and the fact that this matter has now been referred to the Anti-Corruption Commission by an outraged injured worker? (8) If the minister will not stand down or sack Harry Neesham, will he explain to the House why he will not do so, having regard to these serious allegations that neither Harry Neesham nor the minister has seen fit to publicly refute? (9) Will the minister give detailed information of the names of all members of Parliament who carried out inquiries into Neesham’s actions regarding these events, the date of that inquiry and the evidence given at the inquiry and the conclusions reached? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: Shortly before question time I received notice of a question dealing with issues such as those raised by the honourable member in the question he has just posed. I do not have a copy of the document in front of me; it has not found its way back to my file. I do not know therefore whether the question asked by the honourable member is exactly the same as that in the document I saw earlier. When the document arrives I will endeavour to answer the question if it is allowed within standing orders at the time.
(4) Will the minister confirm that, despite being asked several times by Paul O’Halloran, neither Richard Court nor Harry Neesham answered the questions, and nor did either of them make it clear when the deadline was? (5) Is the minister aware that later that day a regulation was passed that had the effect of backdating the deadline referred to by 24 hours to the previous day? (6) Is the minister able to confirm that Harry Neesham passed this regulation which had this effect; and, if not, who passed the regulation? (7) Will the minister now stand down or sack Harry Neesham from his position as the head of WorkCover in light of these scandalous actions and the fact that this matter has now been referred to the Anti-Corruption Commission by an outraged injured worker? (8) If the minister will not stand down or sack Harry Neesham, will he explain to the House why he will not do so, having regard to these serious allegations that neither Harry Neesham nor the minister has seen fit to publicly refute? (9) Will the minister give detailed information of the names of all members of Parliament who carried out inquiries into Neesham’s actions regarding these events, the date of that inquiry and the evidence given at the inquiry and the conclusions reached? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: Shortly before question time I received notice of a question dealing with issues such as those raised by the honourable member in the question he has just posed. I do not have a copy of the document in front of me; it has not found its way back to my file. I do not know therefore whether the question asked by the honourable member is exactly the same as that in the document I saw earlier. When the document arrives I will endeavour to answer the question if it is allowed within standing orders at the time.
(5) Is the minister aware that later that day a regulation was passed that had the effect of backdating the deadline referred to by 24 hours to the previous day? (6) Is the minister able to confirm that Harry Neesham passed this regulation which had this effect; and, if not, who passed the regulation? (7) Will the minister now stand down or sack Harry Neesham from his position as the head of WorkCover in light of these scandalous actions and the fact that this matter has now been referred to the Anti-Corruption Commission by an outraged injured worker? (8) If the minister will not stand down or sack Harry Neesham, will he explain to the House why he will not do so, having regard to these serious allegations that neither Harry Neesham nor the minister has seen fit to publicly refute? (9) Will the minister give detailed information of the names of all members of Parliament who carried out inquiries into Neesham’s actions regarding these events, the date of that inquiry and the evidence given at the inquiry and the conclusions reached? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: Shortly before question time I received notice of a question dealing with issues such as those raised by the honourable member in the question he has just posed. I do not have a copy of the document in front of me; it has not found its way back to my file. I do not know therefore whether the question asked by the honourable member is exactly the same as that in the document I saw earlier. When the document arrives I will endeavour to answer the question if it is allowed within standing orders at the time.
(6) Is the minister able to confirm that Harry Neesham passed this regulation which had this effect; and, if not, who passed the regulation? (7) Will the minister now stand down or sack Harry Neesham from his position as the head of WorkCover in light of these scandalous actions and the fact that this matter has now been referred to the Anti-Corruption Commission by an outraged injured worker? (8) If the minister will not stand down or sack Harry Neesham, will he explain to the House why he will not do so, having regard to these serious allegations that neither Harry Neesham nor the minister has seen fit to publicly refute? (9) Will the minister give detailed information of the names of all members of Parliament who carried out inquiries into Neesham’s actions regarding these events, the date of that inquiry and the evidence given at the inquiry and the conclusions reached? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: Shortly before question time I received notice of a question dealing with issues such as those raised by the honourable member in the question he has just posed. I do not have a copy of the document in front of me; it has not found its way back to my file. I do not know therefore whether the question asked by the honourable member is exactly the same as that in the document I saw earlier. When the document arrives I will endeavour to answer the question if it is allowed within standing orders at the time.
(7) Will the minister now stand down or sack Harry Neesham from his position as the head of WorkCover in light of these scandalous actions and the fact that this matter has now been referred to the Anti-Corruption Commission by an outraged injured worker? (8) If the minister will not stand down or sack Harry Neesham, will he explain to the House why he will not do so, having regard to these serious allegations that neither Harry Neesham nor the minister has seen fit to publicly refute? (9) Will the minister give detailed information of the names of all members of Parliament who carried out inquiries into Neesham’s actions regarding these events, the date of that inquiry and the evidence given at the inquiry and the conclusions reached? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: Shortly before question time I received notice of a question dealing with issues such as those raised by the honourable member in the question he has just posed. I do not have a copy of the document in front of me; it has not found its way back to my file. I do not know therefore whether the question asked by the honourable member is exactly the same as that in the document I saw earlier. When the document arrives I will endeavour to answer the question if it is allowed within standing orders at the time.
(8) If the minister will not stand down or sack Harry Neesham, will he explain to the House why he will not do so, having regard to these serious allegations that neither Harry Neesham nor the minister has seen fit to publicly refute? (9) Will the minister give detailed information of the names of all members of Parliament who carried out inquiries into Neesham’s actions regarding these events, the date of that inquiry and the evidence given at the inquiry and the conclusions reached? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: Shortly before question time I received notice of a question dealing with issues such as those raised by the honourable member in the question he has just posed. I do not have a copy of the document in front of me; it has not found its way back to my file. I do not know therefore whether the question asked by the honourable member is exactly the same as that in the document I saw earlier. When the document arrives I will endeavour to answer the question if it is allowed within standing orders at the time.
(9) Will the minister give detailed information of the names of all members of Parliament who carried out inquiries into Neesham’s actions regarding these events, the date of that inquiry and the evidence given at the inquiry and the conclusions reached? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: Shortly before question time I received notice of a question dealing with issues such as those raised by the honourable member in the question he has just posed. I do not have a copy of the document in front of me; it has not found its way back to my file. I do not know therefore whether the question asked by the honourable member is exactly the same as that in the document I saw earlier. When the document arrives I will endeavour to answer the question if it is allowed within standing orders at the time.
Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: Shortly before question time I received notice of a question dealing with issues such as those raised by the honourable member in the question he has just posed. I do not have a copy of the document in front of me; it has not found its way back to my file. I do not know therefore whether the question asked by the honourable member is exactly the same as that in the document I saw earlier. When the document arrives I will endeavour to answer the question if it is allowed within standing orders at the time.
Shortly before question time I received notice of a question dealing with issues such as those raised by the honourable member in the question he has just posed. I do not have a copy of the document in front of me; it has not found its way back to my file. I do not know therefore whether the question asked by the honourable member is exactly the same as that in the document I saw earlier. When the document arrives I will endeavour to answer the question if it is allowed within standing orders at the time.
(2) Will the minister confirm that Paul O’Halloran asked Richard Court and Harry Neesham several times the deadline for injured workers to lodge their common law claim under the new rules passed on 5 October 1999? (3) Will the minister confirm that the deadline was, in fact, 14 December 1999, being the same day as the radio debate? (4) Will the minister confirm that, despite being asked several times by Paul O’Halloran, neither Richard Court nor Harry Neesham answered the questions, and nor did either of them make it clear when the deadline was? (5) Is the minister aware that later that day a regulation was passed that had the effect of backdating the deadline referred to by 24 hours to the previous day? (6) Is the minister able to confirm that Harry Neesham passed this regulation which had this effect; and, if not, who passed the regulation? (7) Will the minister now stand down or sack Harry Neesham from his position as the head of WorkCover in light of these scandalous actions and the fact that this matter has now been referred to the Anti-Corruption Commission by an outraged injured worker? (8) If the minister will not stand down or sack Harry Neesham, will he explain to the House why he will not do so, having regard to these serious allegations that neither Harry Neesham nor the minister has seen fit to publicly refute? (9) Will the minister give detailed information of the names of all members of Parliament who carried out inquiries into Neesham’s actions regarding these events, the date of that inquiry and the evidence given at the inquiry and the conclusions reached? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: Shortly before question time I received notice of a question dealing with issues such as those raised by the honourable member in the question he has just posed. I do not have a copy of the document in front of me; it has not found its way back to my file. I do not know therefore whether the question asked by the honourable member is exactly the same as that in the document I saw earlier. When the document arrives I will endeavour to answer the question if it is allowed within standing orders at the time.
(3) Will the minister confirm that the deadline was, in fact, 14 December 1999, being the same day as the radio debate? (4) Will the minister confirm that, despite being asked several times by Paul O’Halloran, neither Richard Court nor Harry Neesham answered the questions, and nor did either of them make it clear when the deadline was? (5) Is the minister aware that later that day a regulation was passed that had the effect of backdating the deadline referred to by 24 hours to the previous day? (6) Is the minister able to confirm that Harry Neesham passed this regulation which had this effect; and, if not, who passed the regulation? (7) Will the minister now stand down or sack Harry Neesham from his position as the head of WorkCover in light of these scandalous actions and the fact that this matter has now been referred to the Anti-Corruption Commission by an outraged injured worker? (8) If the minister will not stand down or sack Harry Neesham, will he explain to the House why he will not do so, having regard to these serious allegations that neither Harry Neesham nor the minister has seen fit to publicly refute? (9) Will the minister give detailed information of the names of all members of Parliament who carried out inquiries into Neesham’s actions regarding these events, the date of that inquiry and the evidence given at the inquiry and the conclusions reached? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: Shortly before question time I received notice of a question dealing with issues such as those raised by the honourable member in the question he has just posed. I do not have a copy of the document in front of me; it has not found its way back to my file. I do not know therefore whether the question asked by the honourable member is exactly the same as that in the document I saw earlier. When the document arrives I will endeavour to answer the question if it is allowed within standing orders at the time.
(4) Will the minister confirm that, despite being asked several times by Paul O’Halloran, neither Richard Court nor Harry Neesham answered the questions, and nor did either of them make it clear when the deadline was? (5) Is the minister aware that later that day a regulation was passed that had the effect of backdating the deadline referred to by 24 hours to the previous day? (6) Is the minister able to confirm that Harry Neesham passed this regulation which had this effect; and, if not, who passed the regulation? (7) Will the minister now stand down or sack Harry Neesham from his position as the head of WorkCover in light of these scandalous actions and the fact that this matter has now been referred to the Anti-Corruption Commission by an outraged injured worker? (8) If the minister will not stand down or sack Harry Neesham, will he explain to the House why he will not do so, having regard to these serious allegations that neither Harry Neesham nor the minister has seen fit to publicly refute? (9) Will the minister give detailed information of the names of all members of Parliament who carried out inquiries into Neesham’s actions regarding these events, the date of that inquiry and the evidence given at the inquiry and the conclusions reached? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: Shortly before question time I received notice of a question dealing with issues such as those raised by the honourable member in the question he has just posed. I do not have a copy of the document in front of me; it has not found its way back to my file. I do not know therefore whether the question asked by the honourable member is exactly the same as that in the document I saw earlier. When the document arrives I will endeavour to answer the question if it is allowed within standing orders at the time.
(5) Is the minister aware that later that day a regulation was passed that had the effect of backdating the deadline referred to by 24 hours to the previous day? (6) Is the minister able to confirm that Harry Neesham passed this regulation which had this effect; and, if not, who passed the regulation? (7) Will the minister now stand down or sack Harry Neesham from his position as the head of WorkCover in light of these scandalous actions and the fact that this matter has now been referred to the Anti-Corruption Commission by an outraged injured worker? (8) If the minister will not stand down or sack Harry Neesham, will he explain to the House why he will not do so, having regard to these serious allegations that neither Harry Neesham nor the minister has seen fit to publicly refute? (9) Will the minister give detailed information of the names of all members of Parliament who carried out inquiries into Neesham’s actions regarding these events, the date of that inquiry and the evidence given at the inquiry and the conclusions reached? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: Shortly before question time I received notice of a question dealing with issues such as those raised by the honourable member in the question he has just posed. I do not have a copy of the document in front of me; it has not found its way back to my file. I do not know therefore whether the question asked by the honourable member is exactly the same as that in the document I saw earlier. When the document arrives I will endeavour to answer the question if it is allowed within standing orders at the time.
(6) Is the minister able to confirm that Harry Neesham passed this regulation which had this effect; and, if not, who passed the regulation? (7) Will the minister now stand down or sack Harry Neesham from his position as the head of WorkCover in light of these scandalous actions and the fact that this matter has now been referred to the Anti-Corruption Commission by an outraged injured worker? (8) If the minister will not stand down or sack Harry Neesham, will he explain to the House why he will not do so, having regard to these serious allegations that neither Harry Neesham nor the minister has seen fit to publicly refute? (9) Will the minister give detailed information of the names of all members of Parliament who carried out inquiries into Neesham’s actions regarding these events, the date of that inquiry and the evidence given at the inquiry and the conclusions reached? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: Shortly before question time I received notice of a question dealing with issues such as those raised by the honourable member in the question he has just posed. I do not have a copy of the document in front of me; it has not found its way back to my file. I do not know therefore whether the question asked by the honourable member is exactly the same as that in the document I saw earlier. When the document arrives I will endeavour to answer the question if it is allowed within standing orders at the time.
(7) Will the minister now stand down or sack Harry Neesham from his position as the head of WorkCover in light of these scandalous actions and the fact that this matter has now been referred to the Anti-Corruption Commission by an outraged injured worker? (8) If the minister will not stand down or sack Harry Neesham, will he explain to the House why he will not do so, having regard to these serious allegations that neither Harry Neesham nor the minister has seen fit to publicly refute? (9) Will the minister give detailed information of the names of all members of Parliament who carried out inquiries into Neesham’s actions regarding these events, the date of that inquiry and the evidence given at the inquiry and the conclusions reached? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: Shortly before question time I received notice of a question dealing with issues such as those raised by the honourable member in the question he has just posed. I do not have a copy of the document in front of me; it has not found its way back to my file. I do not know therefore whether the question asked by the honourable member is exactly the same as that in the document I saw earlier. When the document arrives I will endeavour to answer the question if it is allowed within standing orders at the time.
(8) If the minister will not stand down or sack Harry Neesham, will he explain to the House why he will not do so, having regard to these serious allegations that neither Harry Neesham nor the minister has seen fit to publicly refute? (9) Will the minister give detailed information of the names of all members of Parliament who carried out inquiries into Neesham’s actions regarding these events, the date of that inquiry and the evidence given at the inquiry and the conclusions reached? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: Shortly before question time I received notice of a question dealing with issues such as those raised by the honourable member in the question he has just posed. I do not have a copy of the document in front of me; it has not found its way back to my file. I do not know therefore whether the question asked by the honourable member is exactly the same as that in the document I saw earlier. When the document arrives I will endeavour to answer the question if it is allowed within standing orders at the time.
(9) Will the minister give detailed information of the names of all members of Parliament who carried out inquiries into Neesham’s actions regarding these events, the date of that inquiry and the evidence given at the inquiry and the conclusions reached? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: Shortly before question time I received notice of a question dealing with issues such as those raised by the honourable member in the question he has just posed. I do not have a copy of the document in front of me; it has not found its way back to my file. I do not know therefore whether the question asked by the honourable member is exactly the same as that in the document I saw earlier. When the document arrives I will endeavour to answer the question if it is allowed within standing orders at the time.
Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: Shortly before question time I received notice of a question dealing with issues such as those raised by the honourable member in the question he has just posed. I do not have a copy of the document in front of me; it has not found its way back to my file. I do not know therefore whether the question asked by the honourable member is exactly the same as that in the document I saw earlier. When the document arrives I will endeavour to answer the question if it is allowed within standing orders at the time.
Shortly before question time I received notice of a question dealing with issues such as those raised by the honourable member in the question he has just posed. I do not have a copy of the document in front of me; it has not found its way back to my file. I do not know therefore whether the question asked by the honourable member is exactly the same as that in the document I saw earlier. When the document arrives I will endeavour to answer the question if it is allowed within standing orders at the time.
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