❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice probes the Attorney General regarding a leaked letter about prison escapees collecting welfare, his handling of the situation, and potential political motivations. The Attorney General denies leaking the letter and provides details on his actions and knowledge.
AnsweredQoN 2468Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(b) does the Attorney General know who was directly or indirectly responsible for leaking his letter to The West Australian newspaper, any other news outlet or any other person or organisation that did not have a legal right to have it; (c) if yes, will the Attorney General advise the name of this individual or individuals; (d) what action will the Attorney General be taking against this person or persons for leaking his letter to the media; (e) was the Attorney General himself responsible either directly or indirectly for the leaking of his letter addressed to the Federal Minister Patterson to any media outlet or any other person or persons that did not have the right to read it; (f) did the Attorney General ever issue instructions or indicate to a subordinate or any other person that he did not mind if the media obtained a copy of his letter to the Federal Minister Patterson; (g) if yes, to whom did the Attorney General give this indication or instruction ; (h) when did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (i) how did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (j) specifically, who first told the Attorney General that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (k) given that the leaking of the Attorney General's letter to the media has undoubtedly resulted in a ‘tip off’ to the escaped criminals that were collecting the dole in other States , will the Attorney General launch an inquiry to identify the source of this leak to ensure that it never happens again; (l) why did the Attorney General fail to notify the West Australian Police as soon as he discovered that some West Australian escaped criminals were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (m) does the Attorney General concede that many of these escaped criminals could have been recaptured by Police who could have ‘staked out’ respective dole offices if he had simply handed over his information to the Police rather than go public with it by way of the front page story that appeared in The West Australian newspaper on 2 February 2004; (n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(c) if yes, will the Attorney General advise the name of this individual or individuals; (d) what action will the Attorney General be taking against this person or persons for leaking his letter to the media; (e) was the Attorney General himself responsible either directly or indirectly for the leaking of his letter addressed to the Federal Minister Patterson to any media outlet or any other person or persons that did not have the right to read it; (f) did the Attorney General ever issue instructions or indicate to a subordinate or any other person that he did not mind if the media obtained a copy of his letter to the Federal Minister Patterson; (g) if yes, to whom did the Attorney General give this indication or instruction ; (h) when did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (i) how did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (j) specifically, who first told the Attorney General that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (k) given that the leaking of the Attorney General's letter to the media has undoubtedly resulted in a ‘tip off’ to the escaped criminals that were collecting the dole in other States , will the Attorney General launch an inquiry to identify the source of this leak to ensure that it never happens again; (l) why did the Attorney General fail to notify the West Australian Police as soon as he discovered that some West Australian escaped criminals were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (m) does the Attorney General concede that many of these escaped criminals could have been recaptured by Police who could have ‘staked out’ respective dole offices if he had simply handed over his information to the Police rather than go public with it by way of the front page story that appeared in The West Australian newspaper on 2 February 2004; (n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(d) what action will the Attorney General be taking against this person or persons for leaking his letter to the media; (e) was the Attorney General himself responsible either directly or indirectly for the leaking of his letter addressed to the Federal Minister Patterson to any media outlet or any other person or persons that did not have the right to read it; (f) did the Attorney General ever issue instructions or indicate to a subordinate or any other person that he did not mind if the media obtained a copy of his letter to the Federal Minister Patterson; (g) if yes, to whom did the Attorney General give this indication or instruction ; (h) when did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (i) how did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (j) specifically, who first told the Attorney General that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (k) given that the leaking of the Attorney General's letter to the media has undoubtedly resulted in a ‘tip off’ to the escaped criminals that were collecting the dole in other States , will the Attorney General launch an inquiry to identify the source of this leak to ensure that it never happens again; (l) why did the Attorney General fail to notify the West Australian Police as soon as he discovered that some West Australian escaped criminals were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (m) does the Attorney General concede that many of these escaped criminals could have been recaptured by Police who could have ‘staked out’ respective dole offices if he had simply handed over his information to the Police rather than go public with it by way of the front page story that appeared in The West Australian newspaper on 2 February 2004; (n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(e) was the Attorney General himself responsible either directly or indirectly for the leaking of his letter addressed to the Federal Minister Patterson to any media outlet or any other person or persons that did not have the right to read it; (f) did the Attorney General ever issue instructions or indicate to a subordinate or any other person that he did not mind if the media obtained a copy of his letter to the Federal Minister Patterson; (g) if yes, to whom did the Attorney General give this indication or instruction ; (h) when did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (i) how did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (j) specifically, who first told the Attorney General that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (k) given that the leaking of the Attorney General's letter to the media has undoubtedly resulted in a ‘tip off’ to the escaped criminals that were collecting the dole in other States , will the Attorney General launch an inquiry to identify the source of this leak to ensure that it never happens again; (l) why did the Attorney General fail to notify the West Australian Police as soon as he discovered that some West Australian escaped criminals were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (m) does the Attorney General concede that many of these escaped criminals could have been recaptured by Police who could have ‘staked out’ respective dole offices if he had simply handed over his information to the Police rather than go public with it by way of the front page story that appeared in The West Australian newspaper on 2 February 2004; (n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(f) did the Attorney General ever issue instructions or indicate to a subordinate or any other person that he did not mind if the media obtained a copy of his letter to the Federal Minister Patterson; (g) if yes, to whom did the Attorney General give this indication or instruction ; (h) when did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (i) how did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (j) specifically, who first told the Attorney General that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (k) given that the leaking of the Attorney General's letter to the media has undoubtedly resulted in a ‘tip off’ to the escaped criminals that were collecting the dole in other States , will the Attorney General launch an inquiry to identify the source of this leak to ensure that it never happens again; (l) why did the Attorney General fail to notify the West Australian Police as soon as he discovered that some West Australian escaped criminals were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (m) does the Attorney General concede that many of these escaped criminals could have been recaptured by Police who could have ‘staked out’ respective dole offices if he had simply handed over his information to the Police rather than go public with it by way of the front page story that appeared in The West Australian newspaper on 2 February 2004; (n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(g) if yes, to whom did the Attorney General give this indication or instruction ; (h) when did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (i) how did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (j) specifically, who first told the Attorney General that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (k) given that the leaking of the Attorney General's letter to the media has undoubtedly resulted in a ‘tip off’ to the escaped criminals that were collecting the dole in other States , will the Attorney General launch an inquiry to identify the source of this leak to ensure that it never happens again; (l) why did the Attorney General fail to notify the West Australian Police as soon as he discovered that some West Australian escaped criminals were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (m) does the Attorney General concede that many of these escaped criminals could have been recaptured by Police who could have ‘staked out’ respective dole offices if he had simply handed over his information to the Police rather than go public with it by way of the front page story that appeared in The West Australian newspaper on 2 February 2004; (n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(h) when did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (i) how did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (j) specifically, who first told the Attorney General that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (k) given that the leaking of the Attorney General's letter to the media has undoubtedly resulted in a ‘tip off’ to the escaped criminals that were collecting the dole in other States , will the Attorney General launch an inquiry to identify the source of this leak to ensure that it never happens again; (l) why did the Attorney General fail to notify the West Australian Police as soon as he discovered that some West Australian escaped criminals were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (m) does the Attorney General concede that many of these escaped criminals could have been recaptured by Police who could have ‘staked out’ respective dole offices if he had simply handed over his information to the Police rather than go public with it by way of the front page story that appeared in The West Australian newspaper on 2 February 2004; (n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(i) how did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (j) specifically, who first told the Attorney General that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (k) given that the leaking of the Attorney General's letter to the media has undoubtedly resulted in a ‘tip off’ to the escaped criminals that were collecting the dole in other States , will the Attorney General launch an inquiry to identify the source of this leak to ensure that it never happens again; (l) why did the Attorney General fail to notify the West Australian Police as soon as he discovered that some West Australian escaped criminals were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (m) does the Attorney General concede that many of these escaped criminals could have been recaptured by Police who could have ‘staked out’ respective dole offices if he had simply handed over his information to the Police rather than go public with it by way of the front page story that appeared in The West Australian newspaper on 2 February 2004; (n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(j) specifically, who first told the Attorney General that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (k) given that the leaking of the Attorney General's letter to the media has undoubtedly resulted in a ‘tip off’ to the escaped criminals that were collecting the dole in other States , will the Attorney General launch an inquiry to identify the source of this leak to ensure that it never happens again; (l) why did the Attorney General fail to notify the West Australian Police as soon as he discovered that some West Australian escaped criminals were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (m) does the Attorney General concede that many of these escaped criminals could have been recaptured by Police who could have ‘staked out’ respective dole offices if he had simply handed over his information to the Police rather than go public with it by way of the front page story that appeared in The West Australian newspaper on 2 February 2004; (n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(k) given that the leaking of the Attorney General's letter to the media has undoubtedly resulted in a ‘tip off’ to the escaped criminals that were collecting the dole in other States , will the Attorney General launch an inquiry to identify the source of this leak to ensure that it never happens again; (l) why did the Attorney General fail to notify the West Australian Police as soon as he discovered that some West Australian escaped criminals were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (m) does the Attorney General concede that many of these escaped criminals could have been recaptured by Police who could have ‘staked out’ respective dole offices if he had simply handed over his information to the Police rather than go public with it by way of the front page story that appeared in The West Australian newspaper on 2 February 2004; (n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(l) why did the Attorney General fail to notify the West Australian Police as soon as he discovered that some West Australian escaped criminals were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (m) does the Attorney General concede that many of these escaped criminals could have been recaptured by Police who could have ‘staked out’ respective dole offices if he had simply handed over his information to the Police rather than go public with it by way of the front page story that appeared in The West Australian newspaper on 2 February 2004; (n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(m) does the Attorney General concede that many of these escaped criminals could have been recaptured by Police who could have ‘staked out’ respective dole offices if he had simply handed over his information to the Police rather than go public with it by way of the front page story that appeared in The West Australian newspaper on 2 February 2004; (n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(b) The letter was not ‘leaked’. (c) – (g) Not applicable. (h) January 2004. (i) I discussed the issue with Department of Justice staff who provided me with information on escapees, which I forwarded to the Federal Minister. (j) My information was confirmed by the WA Police Service who advised that WA prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian states. (k) Not applicable. (l) The Department of Justice and the WA Police Service liaise regularly on these matters. (m) No. (n) This question should be asked of Centrelink. (o) – (p) Not applicable.
(c) – (g) Not applicable. (h) January 2004. (i) I discussed the issue with Department of Justice staff who provided me with information on escapees, which I forwarded to the Federal Minister. (j) My information was confirmed by the WA Police Service who advised that WA prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian states. (k) Not applicable. (l) The Department of Justice and the WA Police Service liaise regularly on these matters. (m) No. (n) This question should be asked of Centrelink. (o) – (p) Not applicable.
(h) January 2004. (i) I discussed the issue with Department of Justice staff who provided me with information on escapees, which I forwarded to the Federal Minister. (j) My information was confirmed by the WA Police Service who advised that WA prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian states. (k) Not applicable. (l) The Department of Justice and the WA Police Service liaise regularly on these matters. (m) No. (n) This question should be asked of Centrelink. (o) – (p) Not applicable.
(i) I discussed the issue with Department of Justice staff who provided me with information on escapees, which I forwarded to the Federal Minister. (j) My information was confirmed by the WA Police Service who advised that WA prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian states. (k) Not applicable. (l) The Department of Justice and the WA Police Service liaise regularly on these matters. (m) No. (n) This question should be asked of Centrelink. (o) – (p) Not applicable.
(j) My information was confirmed by the WA Police Service who advised that WA prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian states. (k) Not applicable. (l) The Department of Justice and the WA Police Service liaise regularly on these matters. (m) No. (n) This question should be asked of Centrelink. (o) – (p) Not applicable.
(k) Not applicable. (l) The Department of Justice and the WA Police Service liaise regularly on these matters. (m) No. (n) This question should be asked of Centrelink. (o) – (p) Not applicable.
(l) The Department of Justice and the WA Police Service liaise regularly on these matters. (m) No. (n) This question should be asked of Centrelink. (o) – (p) Not applicable.
(m) No. (n) This question should be asked of Centrelink. (o) – (p) Not applicable.
(n) This question should be asked of Centrelink. (o) – (p) Not applicable.
(o) – (p) Not applicable.
(c) if yes, will the Attorney General advise the name of this individual or individuals; (d) what action will the Attorney General be taking against this person or persons for leaking his letter to the media; (e) was the Attorney General himself responsible either directly or indirectly for the leaking of his letter addressed to the Federal Minister Patterson to any media outlet or any other person or persons that did not have the right to read it; (f) did the Attorney General ever issue instructions or indicate to a subordinate or any other person that he did not mind if the media obtained a copy of his letter to the Federal Minister Patterson; (g) if yes, to whom did the Attorney General give this indication or instruction ; (h) when did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (i) how did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (j) specifically, who first told the Attorney General that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (k) given that the leaking of the Attorney General's letter to the media has undoubtedly resulted in a ‘tip off’ to the escaped criminals that were collecting the dole in other States , will the Attorney General launch an inquiry to identify the source of this leak to ensure that it never happens again; (l) why did the Attorney General fail to notify the West Australian Police as soon as he discovered that some West Australian escaped criminals were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (m) does the Attorney General concede that many of these escaped criminals could have been recaptured by Police who could have ‘staked out’ respective dole offices if he had simply handed over his information to the Police rather than go public with it by way of the front page story that appeared in The West Australian newspaper on 2 February 2004; (n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(d) what action will the Attorney General be taking against this person or persons for leaking his letter to the media; (e) was the Attorney General himself responsible either directly or indirectly for the leaking of his letter addressed to the Federal Minister Patterson to any media outlet or any other person or persons that did not have the right to read it; (f) did the Attorney General ever issue instructions or indicate to a subordinate or any other person that he did not mind if the media obtained a copy of his letter to the Federal Minister Patterson; (g) if yes, to whom did the Attorney General give this indication or instruction ; (h) when did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (i) how did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (j) specifically, who first told the Attorney General that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (k) given that the leaking of the Attorney General's letter to the media has undoubtedly resulted in a ‘tip off’ to the escaped criminals that were collecting the dole in other States , will the Attorney General launch an inquiry to identify the source of this leak to ensure that it never happens again; (l) why did the Attorney General fail to notify the West Australian Police as soon as he discovered that some West Australian escaped criminals were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (m) does the Attorney General concede that many of these escaped criminals could have been recaptured by Police who could have ‘staked out’ respective dole offices if he had simply handed over his information to the Police rather than go public with it by way of the front page story that appeared in The West Australian newspaper on 2 February 2004; (n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(e) was the Attorney General himself responsible either directly or indirectly for the leaking of his letter addressed to the Federal Minister Patterson to any media outlet or any other person or persons that did not have the right to read it; (f) did the Attorney General ever issue instructions or indicate to a subordinate or any other person that he did not mind if the media obtained a copy of his letter to the Federal Minister Patterson; (g) if yes, to whom did the Attorney General give this indication or instruction ; (h) when did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (i) how did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (j) specifically, who first told the Attorney General that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (k) given that the leaking of the Attorney General's letter to the media has undoubtedly resulted in a ‘tip off’ to the escaped criminals that were collecting the dole in other States , will the Attorney General launch an inquiry to identify the source of this leak to ensure that it never happens again; (l) why did the Attorney General fail to notify the West Australian Police as soon as he discovered that some West Australian escaped criminals were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (m) does the Attorney General concede that many of these escaped criminals could have been recaptured by Police who could have ‘staked out’ respective dole offices if he had simply handed over his information to the Police rather than go public with it by way of the front page story that appeared in The West Australian newspaper on 2 February 2004; (n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(f) did the Attorney General ever issue instructions or indicate to a subordinate or any other person that he did not mind if the media obtained a copy of his letter to the Federal Minister Patterson; (g) if yes, to whom did the Attorney General give this indication or instruction ; (h) when did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (i) how did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (j) specifically, who first told the Attorney General that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (k) given that the leaking of the Attorney General's letter to the media has undoubtedly resulted in a ‘tip off’ to the escaped criminals that were collecting the dole in other States , will the Attorney General launch an inquiry to identify the source of this leak to ensure that it never happens again; (l) why did the Attorney General fail to notify the West Australian Police as soon as he discovered that some West Australian escaped criminals were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (m) does the Attorney General concede that many of these escaped criminals could have been recaptured by Police who could have ‘staked out’ respective dole offices if he had simply handed over his information to the Police rather than go public with it by way of the front page story that appeared in The West Australian newspaper on 2 February 2004; (n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(g) if yes, to whom did the Attorney General give this indication or instruction ; (h) when did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (i) how did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (j) specifically, who first told the Attorney General that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (k) given that the leaking of the Attorney General's letter to the media has undoubtedly resulted in a ‘tip off’ to the escaped criminals that were collecting the dole in other States , will the Attorney General launch an inquiry to identify the source of this leak to ensure that it never happens again; (l) why did the Attorney General fail to notify the West Australian Police as soon as he discovered that some West Australian escaped criminals were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (m) does the Attorney General concede that many of these escaped criminals could have been recaptured by Police who could have ‘staked out’ respective dole offices if he had simply handed over his information to the Police rather than go public with it by way of the front page story that appeared in The West Australian newspaper on 2 February 2004; (n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(h) when did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (i) how did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (j) specifically, who first told the Attorney General that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (k) given that the leaking of the Attorney General's letter to the media has undoubtedly resulted in a ‘tip off’ to the escaped criminals that were collecting the dole in other States , will the Attorney General launch an inquiry to identify the source of this leak to ensure that it never happens again; (l) why did the Attorney General fail to notify the West Australian Police as soon as he discovered that some West Australian escaped criminals were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (m) does the Attorney General concede that many of these escaped criminals could have been recaptured by Police who could have ‘staked out’ respective dole offices if he had simply handed over his information to the Police rather than go public with it by way of the front page story that appeared in The West Australian newspaper on 2 February 2004; (n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(i) how did the Attorney General first become aware that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (j) specifically, who first told the Attorney General that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (k) given that the leaking of the Attorney General's letter to the media has undoubtedly resulted in a ‘tip off’ to the escaped criminals that were collecting the dole in other States , will the Attorney General launch an inquiry to identify the source of this leak to ensure that it never happens again; (l) why did the Attorney General fail to notify the West Australian Police as soon as he discovered that some West Australian escaped criminals were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (m) does the Attorney General concede that many of these escaped criminals could have been recaptured by Police who could have ‘staked out’ respective dole offices if he had simply handed over his information to the Police rather than go public with it by way of the front page story that appeared in The West Australian newspaper on 2 February 2004; (n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(j) specifically, who first told the Attorney General that West Australian prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (k) given that the leaking of the Attorney General's letter to the media has undoubtedly resulted in a ‘tip off’ to the escaped criminals that were collecting the dole in other States , will the Attorney General launch an inquiry to identify the source of this leak to ensure that it never happens again; (l) why did the Attorney General fail to notify the West Australian Police as soon as he discovered that some West Australian escaped criminals were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (m) does the Attorney General concede that many of these escaped criminals could have been recaptured by Police who could have ‘staked out’ respective dole offices if he had simply handed over his information to the Police rather than go public with it by way of the front page story that appeared in The West Australian newspaper on 2 February 2004; (n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(k) given that the leaking of the Attorney General's letter to the media has undoubtedly resulted in a ‘tip off’ to the escaped criminals that were collecting the dole in other States , will the Attorney General launch an inquiry to identify the source of this leak to ensure that it never happens again; (l) why did the Attorney General fail to notify the West Australian Police as soon as he discovered that some West Australian escaped criminals were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (m) does the Attorney General concede that many of these escaped criminals could have been recaptured by Police who could have ‘staked out’ respective dole offices if he had simply handed over his information to the Police rather than go public with it by way of the front page story that appeared in The West Australian newspaper on 2 February 2004; (n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(l) why did the Attorney General fail to notify the West Australian Police as soon as he discovered that some West Australian escaped criminals were collecting the dole in other Australian States; (m) does the Attorney General concede that many of these escaped criminals could have been recaptured by Police who could have ‘staked out’ respective dole offices if he had simply handed over his information to the Police rather than go public with it by way of the front page story that appeared in The West Australian newspaper on 2 February 2004; (n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(m) does the Attorney General concede that many of these escaped criminals could have been recaptured by Police who could have ‘staked out’ respective dole offices if he had simply handed over his information to the Police rather than go public with it by way of the front page story that appeared in The West Australian newspaper on 2 February 2004; (n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(n) is it the case that only the Police Department and not the Department of Justice or the Attorney General can request personal information in compliance with current privacy laws from Centrelink concerning possible escapees that may have been receiving the dole; (o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(o) if yes, then why did the Attorney General write to Minister Patterson requesting this information instead of simply handing the inquiry over to the Police Department; and (p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(p) was it because the Attorney General was hoping that his letter would be leaked to the media and that this would embarrass the Federal Government whilst focusing media attention on the Attorney General himself?
(b) The letter was not ‘leaked’. (c) – (g) Not applicable. (h) January 2004. (i) I discussed the issue with Department of Justice staff who provided me with information on escapees, which I forwarded to the Federal Minister. (j) My information was confirmed by the WA Police Service who advised that WA prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian states. (k) Not applicable. (l) The Department of Justice and the WA Police Service liaise regularly on these matters. (m) No. (n) This question should be asked of Centrelink. (o) – (p) Not applicable.
(c) – (g) Not applicable. (h) January 2004. (i) I discussed the issue with Department of Justice staff who provided me with information on escapees, which I forwarded to the Federal Minister. (j) My information was confirmed by the WA Police Service who advised that WA prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian states. (k) Not applicable. (l) The Department of Justice and the WA Police Service liaise regularly on these matters. (m) No. (n) This question should be asked of Centrelink. (o) – (p) Not applicable.
(h) January 2004. (i) I discussed the issue with Department of Justice staff who provided me with information on escapees, which I forwarded to the Federal Minister. (j) My information was confirmed by the WA Police Service who advised that WA prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian states. (k) Not applicable. (l) The Department of Justice and the WA Police Service liaise regularly on these matters. (m) No. (n) This question should be asked of Centrelink. (o) – (p) Not applicable.
(i) I discussed the issue with Department of Justice staff who provided me with information on escapees, which I forwarded to the Federal Minister. (j) My information was confirmed by the WA Police Service who advised that WA prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian states. (k) Not applicable. (l) The Department of Justice and the WA Police Service liaise regularly on these matters. (m) No. (n) This question should be asked of Centrelink. (o) – (p) Not applicable.
(j) My information was confirmed by the WA Police Service who advised that WA prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian states. (k) Not applicable. (l) The Department of Justice and the WA Police Service liaise regularly on these matters. (m) No. (n) This question should be asked of Centrelink. (o) – (p) Not applicable.
(k) Not applicable. (l) The Department of Justice and the WA Police Service liaise regularly on these matters. (m) No. (n) This question should be asked of Centrelink. (o) – (p) Not applicable.
(l) The Department of Justice and the WA Police Service liaise regularly on these matters. (m) No. (n) This question should be asked of Centrelink. (o) – (p) Not applicable.
(m) No. (n) This question should be asked of Centrelink. (o) – (p) Not applicable.
(n) This question should be asked of Centrelink. (o) – (p) Not applicable.
(o) – (p) Not applicable.
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
30 March 2004
Response time
28 days
(a) No.
(b) The letter was not ‘leaked’.
(c) – (g) Not applicable.
(h) January 2004.
(i) I discussed the issue with Department of Justice staff who provided me with information on escapees, which I forwarded to the Federal Minister.
(j) My information was confirmed by the WA Police Service who advised that WA prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian states.
(k) Not applicable.
(l) The Department of Justice and the WA Police Service liaise regularly on these matters.
(m) No.
(n) This question should be asked of Centrelink.
(o) – (p) Not applicable.
(b) The letter was not ‘leaked’.
(c) – (g) Not applicable.
(h) January 2004.
(i) I discussed the issue with Department of Justice staff who provided me with information on escapees, which I forwarded to the Federal Minister.
(j) My information was confirmed by the WA Police Service who advised that WA prison escapees were collecting the dole in other Australian states.
(k) Not applicable.
(l) The Department of Justice and the WA Police Service liaise regularly on these matters.
(m) No.
(n) This question should be asked of Centrelink.
(o) – (p) Not applicable.
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