❓ Opposition questions the Premier about a redundancy in his office, alleging potential misuse of funds and contradicting the government's redundancy program assurances. The Premier deflects, accusing the opposition of a smear tactic and promising a written response.
AnsweredQoN 269Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PREMIER’S OFFICE — EXECUTIVE OFFICER REDUNDANCY
I refer to the government’s plan to make 500 public sector jobs redundant, and the Premier’s assurance that this would be a targeted program that would not be open to rorts. (1) Can the Premier explain why the position of executive officer in his ministerial office has been made redundant? (2) Can the Premier confirm that this position exists in all other ministerial offices and involves daily office administration? (3) Can the Premier explain why he authorised this redundancy for a total of $119 723.89, only to hire a new staff member with similar responsibilities? Mr C.J. BARNETT
I refer to the government’s plan to make 500 public sector jobs redundant, and the Premier’s assurance that this would be a targeted program that would not be open to rorts. (1) Can the Premier explain why the position of executive officer in his ministerial office has been made redundant? (2) Can the Premier confirm that this position exists in all other ministerial offices and involves daily office administration? (3) Can the Premier explain why he authorised this redundancy for a total of $119 723.89, only to hire a new staff member with similar responsibilities? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) Does this not tell us something about the Labor Party? Out of respect for the person who was offered and accepted a redundancy, I will not mention her name. She accepted the redundancy after years of service to successive governments and successive Premiers, including Richard Court, Geoff Gallop, Alan Carpenter and me. She is a professional public servant who served, without fear or favour, Premiers from both sides of politics. I will provide a written answer, because I will not dignify that sleazy question and discredit the reputation of a very fine lady by that sort of low smear tactic. I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written answer, and if he is implying that there is anything improper — Mr E.S. Ripper : Yes, I am—in your behaviour. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written explanation. I hope he has the decency to let that long-serving public servant leave the public service with dignity after serving both Labor and Liberal governments over the years. This tells us something about the Labor Party, and what it will do. I will not embarrass that very nice, professional person or her family by mentioning her name in this house. I will satisfy the sleazy question and provide a written answer.
(1) Can the Premier explain why the position of executive officer in his ministerial office has been made redundant? (2) Can the Premier confirm that this position exists in all other ministerial offices and involves daily office administration? (3) Can the Premier explain why he authorised this redundancy for a total of $119 723.89, only to hire a new staff member with similar responsibilities? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(3) Does this not tell us something about the Labor Party? Out of respect for the person who was offered and accepted a redundancy, I will not mention her name. She accepted the redundancy after years of service to successive governments and successive Premiers, including Richard Court, Geoff Gallop, Alan Carpenter and me. She is a professional public servant who served, without fear or favour, Premiers from both sides of politics. I will provide a written answer, because I will not dignify that sleazy question and discredit the reputation of a very fine lady by that sort of low smear tactic. I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written answer, and if he is implying that there is anything improper — Mr E.S. Ripper : Yes, I am—in your behaviour. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written explanation. I hope he has the decency to let that long-serving public servant leave the public service with dignity after serving both Labor and Liberal governments over the years. This tells us something about the Labor Party, and what it will do. I will not embarrass that very nice, professional person or her family by mentioning her name in this house. I will satisfy the sleazy question and provide a written answer.
(2) Can the Premier confirm that this position exists in all other ministerial offices and involves daily office administration? (3) Can the Premier explain why he authorised this redundancy for a total of $119 723.89, only to hire a new staff member with similar responsibilities? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(3) Does this not tell us something about the Labor Party? Out of respect for the person who was offered and accepted a redundancy, I will not mention her name. She accepted the redundancy after years of service to successive governments and successive Premiers, including Richard Court, Geoff Gallop, Alan Carpenter and me. She is a professional public servant who served, without fear or favour, Premiers from both sides of politics. I will provide a written answer, because I will not dignify that sleazy question and discredit the reputation of a very fine lady by that sort of low smear tactic. I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written answer, and if he is implying that there is anything improper — Mr E.S. Ripper : Yes, I am—in your behaviour. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written explanation. I hope he has the decency to let that long-serving public servant leave the public service with dignity after serving both Labor and Liberal governments over the years. This tells us something about the Labor Party, and what it will do. I will not embarrass that very nice, professional person or her family by mentioning her name in this house. I will satisfy the sleazy question and provide a written answer.
(3) Can the Premier explain why he authorised this redundancy for a total of $119 723.89, only to hire a new staff member with similar responsibilities? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(3) Does this not tell us something about the Labor Party? Out of respect for the person who was offered and accepted a redundancy, I will not mention her name. She accepted the redundancy after years of service to successive governments and successive Premiers, including Richard Court, Geoff Gallop, Alan Carpenter and me. She is a professional public servant who served, without fear or favour, Premiers from both sides of politics. I will provide a written answer, because I will not dignify that sleazy question and discredit the reputation of a very fine lady by that sort of low smear tactic. I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written answer, and if he is implying that there is anything improper — Mr E.S. Ripper : Yes, I am—in your behaviour. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written explanation. I hope he has the decency to let that long-serving public servant leave the public service with dignity after serving both Labor and Liberal governments over the years. This tells us something about the Labor Party, and what it will do. I will not embarrass that very nice, professional person or her family by mentioning her name in this house. I will satisfy the sleazy question and provide a written answer.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(3) Does this not tell us something about the Labor Party? Out of respect for the person who was offered and accepted a redundancy, I will not mention her name. She accepted the redundancy after years of service to successive governments and successive Premiers, including Richard Court, Geoff Gallop, Alan Carpenter and me. She is a professional public servant who served, without fear or favour, Premiers from both sides of politics. I will provide a written answer, because I will not dignify that sleazy question and discredit the reputation of a very fine lady by that sort of low smear tactic. I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written answer, and if he is implying that there is anything improper — Mr E.S. Ripper : Yes, I am—in your behaviour. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written explanation. I hope he has the decency to let that long-serving public servant leave the public service with dignity after serving both Labor and Liberal governments over the years. This tells us something about the Labor Party, and what it will do. I will not embarrass that very nice, professional person or her family by mentioning her name in this house. I will satisfy the sleazy question and provide a written answer.
(1)-(3) Does this not tell us something about the Labor Party? Out of respect for the person who was offered and accepted a redundancy, I will not mention her name. She accepted the redundancy after years of service to successive governments and successive Premiers, including Richard Court, Geoff Gallop, Alan Carpenter and me. She is a professional public servant who served, without fear or favour, Premiers from both sides of politics. I will provide a written answer, because I will not dignify that sleazy question and discredit the reputation of a very fine lady by that sort of low smear tactic. I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written answer, and if he is implying that there is anything improper — Mr E.S. Ripper : Yes, I am—in your behaviour. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written explanation. I hope he has the decency to let that long-serving public servant leave the public service with dignity after serving both Labor and Liberal governments over the years. This tells us something about the Labor Party, and what it will do. I will not embarrass that very nice, professional person or her family by mentioning her name in this house. I will satisfy the sleazy question and provide a written answer.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Yes, I am—in your behaviour. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written explanation. I hope he has the decency to let that long-serving public servant leave the public service with dignity after serving both Labor and Liberal governments over the years. This tells us something about the Labor Party, and what it will do. I will not embarrass that very nice, professional person or her family by mentioning her name in this house. I will satisfy the sleazy question and provide a written answer.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written explanation. I hope he has the decency to let that long-serving public servant leave the public service with dignity after serving both Labor and Liberal governments over the years. This tells us something about the Labor Party, and what it will do. I will not embarrass that very nice, professional person or her family by mentioning her name in this house. I will satisfy the sleazy question and provide a written answer.
(1) Can the Premier explain why the position of executive officer in his ministerial office has been made redundant? (2) Can the Premier confirm that this position exists in all other ministerial offices and involves daily office administration? (3) Can the Premier explain why he authorised this redundancy for a total of $119 723.89, only to hire a new staff member with similar responsibilities? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(3) Does this not tell us something about the Labor Party? Out of respect for the person who was offered and accepted a redundancy, I will not mention her name. She accepted the redundancy after years of service to successive governments and successive Premiers, including Richard Court, Geoff Gallop, Alan Carpenter and me. She is a professional public servant who served, without fear or favour, Premiers from both sides of politics. I will provide a written answer, because I will not dignify that sleazy question and discredit the reputation of a very fine lady by that sort of low smear tactic. I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written answer, and if he is implying that there is anything improper — Mr E.S. Ripper : Yes, I am—in your behaviour. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written explanation. I hope he has the decency to let that long-serving public servant leave the public service with dignity after serving both Labor and Liberal governments over the years. This tells us something about the Labor Party, and what it will do. I will not embarrass that very nice, professional person or her family by mentioning her name in this house. I will satisfy the sleazy question and provide a written answer.
(2) Can the Premier confirm that this position exists in all other ministerial offices and involves daily office administration? (3) Can the Premier explain why he authorised this redundancy for a total of $119 723.89, only to hire a new staff member with similar responsibilities? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(3) Does this not tell us something about the Labor Party? Out of respect for the person who was offered and accepted a redundancy, I will not mention her name. She accepted the redundancy after years of service to successive governments and successive Premiers, including Richard Court, Geoff Gallop, Alan Carpenter and me. She is a professional public servant who served, without fear or favour, Premiers from both sides of politics. I will provide a written answer, because I will not dignify that sleazy question and discredit the reputation of a very fine lady by that sort of low smear tactic. I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written answer, and if he is implying that there is anything improper — Mr E.S. Ripper : Yes, I am—in your behaviour. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written explanation. I hope he has the decency to let that long-serving public servant leave the public service with dignity after serving both Labor and Liberal governments over the years. This tells us something about the Labor Party, and what it will do. I will not embarrass that very nice, professional person or her family by mentioning her name in this house. I will satisfy the sleazy question and provide a written answer.
(3) Can the Premier explain why he authorised this redundancy for a total of $119 723.89, only to hire a new staff member with similar responsibilities? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(3) Does this not tell us something about the Labor Party? Out of respect for the person who was offered and accepted a redundancy, I will not mention her name. She accepted the redundancy after years of service to successive governments and successive Premiers, including Richard Court, Geoff Gallop, Alan Carpenter and me. She is a professional public servant who served, without fear or favour, Premiers from both sides of politics. I will provide a written answer, because I will not dignify that sleazy question and discredit the reputation of a very fine lady by that sort of low smear tactic. I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written answer, and if he is implying that there is anything improper — Mr E.S. Ripper : Yes, I am—in your behaviour. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written explanation. I hope he has the decency to let that long-serving public servant leave the public service with dignity after serving both Labor and Liberal governments over the years. This tells us something about the Labor Party, and what it will do. I will not embarrass that very nice, professional person or her family by mentioning her name in this house. I will satisfy the sleazy question and provide a written answer.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)-(3) Does this not tell us something about the Labor Party? Out of respect for the person who was offered and accepted a redundancy, I will not mention her name. She accepted the redundancy after years of service to successive governments and successive Premiers, including Richard Court, Geoff Gallop, Alan Carpenter and me. She is a professional public servant who served, without fear or favour, Premiers from both sides of politics. I will provide a written answer, because I will not dignify that sleazy question and discredit the reputation of a very fine lady by that sort of low smear tactic. I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written answer, and if he is implying that there is anything improper — Mr E.S. Ripper : Yes, I am—in your behaviour. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written explanation. I hope he has the decency to let that long-serving public servant leave the public service with dignity after serving both Labor and Liberal governments over the years. This tells us something about the Labor Party, and what it will do. I will not embarrass that very nice, professional person or her family by mentioning her name in this house. I will satisfy the sleazy question and provide a written answer.
(1)-(3) Does this not tell us something about the Labor Party? Out of respect for the person who was offered and accepted a redundancy, I will not mention her name. She accepted the redundancy after years of service to successive governments and successive Premiers, including Richard Court, Geoff Gallop, Alan Carpenter and me. She is a professional public servant who served, without fear or favour, Premiers from both sides of politics. I will provide a written answer, because I will not dignify that sleazy question and discredit the reputation of a very fine lady by that sort of low smear tactic. I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written answer, and if he is implying that there is anything improper — Mr E.S. Ripper : Yes, I am—in your behaviour. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written explanation. I hope he has the decency to let that long-serving public servant leave the public service with dignity after serving both Labor and Liberal governments over the years. This tells us something about the Labor Party, and what it will do. I will not embarrass that very nice, professional person or her family by mentioning her name in this house. I will satisfy the sleazy question and provide a written answer.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Yes, I am—in your behaviour. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written explanation. I hope he has the decency to let that long-serving public servant leave the public service with dignity after serving both Labor and Liberal governments over the years. This tells us something about the Labor Party, and what it will do. I will not embarrass that very nice, professional person or her family by mentioning her name in this house. I will satisfy the sleazy question and provide a written answer.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will provide the Leader of the Opposition with a written explanation. I hope he has the decency to let that long-serving public servant leave the public service with dignity after serving both Labor and Liberal governments over the years. This tells us something about the Labor Party, and what it will do. I will not embarrass that very nice, professional person or her family by mentioning her name in this house. I will satisfy the sleazy question and provide a written answer.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.