❓ Opposition questions the Premier regarding alleged harassment of the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, the appointment of David Caporn to FESA, and FESA's legal spending. The Premier acknowledges the Caporn appointment was inappropriate and expresses disappointment with FESA's legal actions, outlining plans to consolidate roles under the Public Sector Commissioner.
AnsweredQoN 859Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DAVID CAPORN — FESA APPOINTMENT — COMMISSIONER FOR PUBLIC SECTOR STANDARDS’ REPORT
I refer to the revelations today that the independent Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, Ruth Shean, was harassed, bullied and threatened as a result of her attempts to expose nepotism and patronage within the Fire and Emergency Services Authority. (1) Does the Premier condone the behaviour of senior public servants and their legal advisers in this case? (2) Did he do anything to protect the independence of the commissioner in this matter? (3) Does the Premier accept that the appointment of David Caporn brings the process of senior appointments in the public sector into disrepute and undermines confidence in the senior executive of FESA? (4) Will the Premier inquire into and report to the house today exactly how much FESA spent on its legal campaign against the independent Commissioner for Public Sector Standards? Mr C.J. BARNETT
I refer to the revelations today that the independent Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, Ruth Shean, was harassed, bullied and threatened as a result of her attempts to expose nepotism and patronage within the Fire and Emergency Services Authority. (1) Does the Premier condone the behaviour of senior public servants and their legal advisers in this case? (2) Did he do anything to protect the independence of the commissioner in this matter? (3) Does the Premier accept that the appointment of David Caporn brings the process of senior appointments in the public sector into disrepute and undermines confidence in the senior executive of FESA? (4) Will the Premier inquire into and report to the house today exactly how much FESA spent on its legal campaign against the independent Commissioner for Public Sector Standards? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
Let me say from the outset that I think it was unfortunate that Mr Caporn was appointed to FESA. I have no doubt about his competency to do the job, but given his background and history, it was an inappropriate appointment. It was looked at by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards. She pointed to some failings in the way in which that assessment took place. (1)-(4) In response to the questions, I am disappointed that FESA should seek private legal advice on a matter that was properly dealt with within the public sector. If the reforms that we are proposing are put in place, it would be handled by the Public Sector Commissioner. That is where it should lie. It was not an appropriate process of appointment and it was not appropriate — Mr E.S. Ripper : Why didn’t you intervene? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not intervene as Premier directly in matters within the public sector. I understand that the Labor Party is supportive of our attempts to have the head of the public service be a public servant—that being Malcolm Wauchope, whom we appointed as Public Sector Commissioner. It is the intention of this government that the role of the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, hopefully with parliamentary approval, including the statutory reporting role of the Parliament, will be rolled into the position of the Public Sector Commissioner so for the first time in many years we will have a clear, independent head of the Western Australian public service to deal with such issues.
(1) Does the Premier condone the behaviour of senior public servants and their legal advisers in this case? (2) Did he do anything to protect the independence of the commissioner in this matter? (3) Does the Premier accept that the appointment of David Caporn brings the process of senior appointments in the public sector into disrepute and undermines confidence in the senior executive of FESA? (4) Will the Premier inquire into and report to the house today exactly how much FESA spent on its legal campaign against the independent Commissioner for Public Sector Standards? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Let me say from the outset that I think it was unfortunate that Mr Caporn was appointed to FESA. I have no doubt about his competency to do the job, but given his background and history, it was an inappropriate appointment. It was looked at by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards. She pointed to some failings in the way in which that assessment took place. (1)-(4) In response to the questions, I am disappointed that FESA should seek private legal advice on a matter that was properly dealt with within the public sector. If the reforms that we are proposing are put in place, it would be handled by the Public Sector Commissioner. That is where it should lie. It was not an appropriate process of appointment and it was not appropriate — Mr E.S. Ripper : Why didn’t you intervene? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not intervene as Premier directly in matters within the public sector. I understand that the Labor Party is supportive of our attempts to have the head of the public service be a public servant—that being Malcolm Wauchope, whom we appointed as Public Sector Commissioner. It is the intention of this government that the role of the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, hopefully with parliamentary approval, including the statutory reporting role of the Parliament, will be rolled into the position of the Public Sector Commissioner so for the first time in many years we will have a clear, independent head of the Western Australian public service to deal with such issues.
(2) Did he do anything to protect the independence of the commissioner in this matter? (3) Does the Premier accept that the appointment of David Caporn brings the process of senior appointments in the public sector into disrepute and undermines confidence in the senior executive of FESA? (4) Will the Premier inquire into and report to the house today exactly how much FESA spent on its legal campaign against the independent Commissioner for Public Sector Standards? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Let me say from the outset that I think it was unfortunate that Mr Caporn was appointed to FESA. I have no doubt about his competency to do the job, but given his background and history, it was an inappropriate appointment. It was looked at by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards. She pointed to some failings in the way in which that assessment took place. (1)-(4) In response to the questions, I am disappointed that FESA should seek private legal advice on a matter that was properly dealt with within the public sector. If the reforms that we are proposing are put in place, it would be handled by the Public Sector Commissioner. That is where it should lie. It was not an appropriate process of appointment and it was not appropriate — Mr E.S. Ripper : Why didn’t you intervene? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not intervene as Premier directly in matters within the public sector. I understand that the Labor Party is supportive of our attempts to have the head of the public service be a public servant—that being Malcolm Wauchope, whom we appointed as Public Sector Commissioner. It is the intention of this government that the role of the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, hopefully with parliamentary approval, including the statutory reporting role of the Parliament, will be rolled into the position of the Public Sector Commissioner so for the first time in many years we will have a clear, independent head of the Western Australian public service to deal with such issues.
(3) Does the Premier accept that the appointment of David Caporn brings the process of senior appointments in the public sector into disrepute and undermines confidence in the senior executive of FESA? (4) Will the Premier inquire into and report to the house today exactly how much FESA spent on its legal campaign against the independent Commissioner for Public Sector Standards? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Let me say from the outset that I think it was unfortunate that Mr Caporn was appointed to FESA. I have no doubt about his competency to do the job, but given his background and history, it was an inappropriate appointment. It was looked at by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards. She pointed to some failings in the way in which that assessment took place. (1)-(4) In response to the questions, I am disappointed that FESA should seek private legal advice on a matter that was properly dealt with within the public sector. If the reforms that we are proposing are put in place, it would be handled by the Public Sector Commissioner. That is where it should lie. It was not an appropriate process of appointment and it was not appropriate — Mr E.S. Ripper : Why didn’t you intervene? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not intervene as Premier directly in matters within the public sector. I understand that the Labor Party is supportive of our attempts to have the head of the public service be a public servant—that being Malcolm Wauchope, whom we appointed as Public Sector Commissioner. It is the intention of this government that the role of the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, hopefully with parliamentary approval, including the statutory reporting role of the Parliament, will be rolled into the position of the Public Sector Commissioner so for the first time in many years we will have a clear, independent head of the Western Australian public service to deal with such issues.
(4) Will the Premier inquire into and report to the house today exactly how much FESA spent on its legal campaign against the independent Commissioner for Public Sector Standards? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Let me say from the outset that I think it was unfortunate that Mr Caporn was appointed to FESA. I have no doubt about his competency to do the job, but given his background and history, it was an inappropriate appointment. It was looked at by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards. She pointed to some failings in the way in which that assessment took place. (1)-(4) In response to the questions, I am disappointed that FESA should seek private legal advice on a matter that was properly dealt with within the public sector. If the reforms that we are proposing are put in place, it would be handled by the Public Sector Commissioner. That is where it should lie. It was not an appropriate process of appointment and it was not appropriate — Mr E.S. Ripper : Why didn’t you intervene? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not intervene as Premier directly in matters within the public sector. I understand that the Labor Party is supportive of our attempts to have the head of the public service be a public servant—that being Malcolm Wauchope, whom we appointed as Public Sector Commissioner. It is the intention of this government that the role of the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, hopefully with parliamentary approval, including the statutory reporting role of the Parliament, will be rolled into the position of the Public Sector Commissioner so for the first time in many years we will have a clear, independent head of the Western Australian public service to deal with such issues.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Let me say from the outset that I think it was unfortunate that Mr Caporn was appointed to FESA. I have no doubt about his competency to do the job, but given his background and history, it was an inappropriate appointment. It was looked at by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards. She pointed to some failings in the way in which that assessment took place. (1)-(4) In response to the questions, I am disappointed that FESA should seek private legal advice on a matter that was properly dealt with within the public sector. If the reforms that we are proposing are put in place, it would be handled by the Public Sector Commissioner. That is where it should lie. It was not an appropriate process of appointment and it was not appropriate — Mr E.S. Ripper : Why didn’t you intervene? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not intervene as Premier directly in matters within the public sector. I understand that the Labor Party is supportive of our attempts to have the head of the public service be a public servant—that being Malcolm Wauchope, whom we appointed as Public Sector Commissioner. It is the intention of this government that the role of the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, hopefully with parliamentary approval, including the statutory reporting role of the Parliament, will be rolled into the position of the Public Sector Commissioner so for the first time in many years we will have a clear, independent head of the Western Australian public service to deal with such issues.
Let me say from the outset that I think it was unfortunate that Mr Caporn was appointed to FESA. I have no doubt about his competency to do the job, but given his background and history, it was an inappropriate appointment. It was looked at by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards. She pointed to some failings in the way in which that assessment took place. (1)-(4) In response to the questions, I am disappointed that FESA should seek private legal advice on a matter that was properly dealt with within the public sector. If the reforms that we are proposing are put in place, it would be handled by the Public Sector Commissioner. That is where it should lie. It was not an appropriate process of appointment and it was not appropriate — Mr E.S. Ripper : Why didn’t you intervene? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not intervene as Premier directly in matters within the public sector. I understand that the Labor Party is supportive of our attempts to have the head of the public service be a public servant—that being Malcolm Wauchope, whom we appointed as Public Sector Commissioner. It is the intention of this government that the role of the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, hopefully with parliamentary approval, including the statutory reporting role of the Parliament, will be rolled into the position of the Public Sector Commissioner so for the first time in many years we will have a clear, independent head of the Western Australian public service to deal with such issues.
(1)-(4) In response to the questions, I am disappointed that FESA should seek private legal advice on a matter that was properly dealt with within the public sector. If the reforms that we are proposing are put in place, it would be handled by the Public Sector Commissioner. That is where it should lie. It was not an appropriate process of appointment and it was not appropriate — Mr E.S. Ripper : Why didn’t you intervene? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not intervene as Premier directly in matters within the public sector. I understand that the Labor Party is supportive of our attempts to have the head of the public service be a public servant—that being Malcolm Wauchope, whom we appointed as Public Sector Commissioner. It is the intention of this government that the role of the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, hopefully with parliamentary approval, including the statutory reporting role of the Parliament, will be rolled into the position of the Public Sector Commissioner so for the first time in many years we will have a clear, independent head of the Western Australian public service to deal with such issues.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Why didn’t you intervene? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not intervene as Premier directly in matters within the public sector. I understand that the Labor Party is supportive of our attempts to have the head of the public service be a public servant—that being Malcolm Wauchope, whom we appointed as Public Sector Commissioner. It is the intention of this government that the role of the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, hopefully with parliamentary approval, including the statutory reporting role of the Parliament, will be rolled into the position of the Public Sector Commissioner so for the first time in many years we will have a clear, independent head of the Western Australian public service to deal with such issues.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not intervene as Premier directly in matters within the public sector. I understand that the Labor Party is supportive of our attempts to have the head of the public service be a public servant—that being Malcolm Wauchope, whom we appointed as Public Sector Commissioner. It is the intention of this government that the role of the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, hopefully with parliamentary approval, including the statutory reporting role of the Parliament, will be rolled into the position of the Public Sector Commissioner so for the first time in many years we will have a clear, independent head of the Western Australian public service to deal with such issues.
(1) Does the Premier condone the behaviour of senior public servants and their legal advisers in this case? (2) Did he do anything to protect the independence of the commissioner in this matter? (3) Does the Premier accept that the appointment of David Caporn brings the process of senior appointments in the public sector into disrepute and undermines confidence in the senior executive of FESA? (4) Will the Premier inquire into and report to the house today exactly how much FESA spent on its legal campaign against the independent Commissioner for Public Sector Standards? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Let me say from the outset that I think it was unfortunate that Mr Caporn was appointed to FESA. I have no doubt about his competency to do the job, but given his background and history, it was an inappropriate appointment. It was looked at by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards. She pointed to some failings in the way in which that assessment took place. (1)-(4) In response to the questions, I am disappointed that FESA should seek private legal advice on a matter that was properly dealt with within the public sector. If the reforms that we are proposing are put in place, it would be handled by the Public Sector Commissioner. That is where it should lie. It was not an appropriate process of appointment and it was not appropriate — Mr E.S. Ripper : Why didn’t you intervene? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not intervene as Premier directly in matters within the public sector. I understand that the Labor Party is supportive of our attempts to have the head of the public service be a public servant—that being Malcolm Wauchope, whom we appointed as Public Sector Commissioner. It is the intention of this government that the role of the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, hopefully with parliamentary approval, including the statutory reporting role of the Parliament, will be rolled into the position of the Public Sector Commissioner so for the first time in many years we will have a clear, independent head of the Western Australian public service to deal with such issues.
(2) Did he do anything to protect the independence of the commissioner in this matter? (3) Does the Premier accept that the appointment of David Caporn brings the process of senior appointments in the public sector into disrepute and undermines confidence in the senior executive of FESA? (4) Will the Premier inquire into and report to the house today exactly how much FESA spent on its legal campaign against the independent Commissioner for Public Sector Standards? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Let me say from the outset that I think it was unfortunate that Mr Caporn was appointed to FESA. I have no doubt about his competency to do the job, but given his background and history, it was an inappropriate appointment. It was looked at by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards. She pointed to some failings in the way in which that assessment took place. (1)-(4) In response to the questions, I am disappointed that FESA should seek private legal advice on a matter that was properly dealt with within the public sector. If the reforms that we are proposing are put in place, it would be handled by the Public Sector Commissioner. That is where it should lie. It was not an appropriate process of appointment and it was not appropriate — Mr E.S. Ripper : Why didn’t you intervene? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not intervene as Premier directly in matters within the public sector. I understand that the Labor Party is supportive of our attempts to have the head of the public service be a public servant—that being Malcolm Wauchope, whom we appointed as Public Sector Commissioner. It is the intention of this government that the role of the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, hopefully with parliamentary approval, including the statutory reporting role of the Parliament, will be rolled into the position of the Public Sector Commissioner so for the first time in many years we will have a clear, independent head of the Western Australian public service to deal with such issues.
(3) Does the Premier accept that the appointment of David Caporn brings the process of senior appointments in the public sector into disrepute and undermines confidence in the senior executive of FESA? (4) Will the Premier inquire into and report to the house today exactly how much FESA spent on its legal campaign against the independent Commissioner for Public Sector Standards? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Let me say from the outset that I think it was unfortunate that Mr Caporn was appointed to FESA. I have no doubt about his competency to do the job, but given his background and history, it was an inappropriate appointment. It was looked at by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards. She pointed to some failings in the way in which that assessment took place. (1)-(4) In response to the questions, I am disappointed that FESA should seek private legal advice on a matter that was properly dealt with within the public sector. If the reforms that we are proposing are put in place, it would be handled by the Public Sector Commissioner. That is where it should lie. It was not an appropriate process of appointment and it was not appropriate — Mr E.S. Ripper : Why didn’t you intervene? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not intervene as Premier directly in matters within the public sector. I understand that the Labor Party is supportive of our attempts to have the head of the public service be a public servant—that being Malcolm Wauchope, whom we appointed as Public Sector Commissioner. It is the intention of this government that the role of the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, hopefully with parliamentary approval, including the statutory reporting role of the Parliament, will be rolled into the position of the Public Sector Commissioner so for the first time in many years we will have a clear, independent head of the Western Australian public service to deal with such issues.
(4) Will the Premier inquire into and report to the house today exactly how much FESA spent on its legal campaign against the independent Commissioner for Public Sector Standards? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Let me say from the outset that I think it was unfortunate that Mr Caporn was appointed to FESA. I have no doubt about his competency to do the job, but given his background and history, it was an inappropriate appointment. It was looked at by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards. She pointed to some failings in the way in which that assessment took place. (1)-(4) In response to the questions, I am disappointed that FESA should seek private legal advice on a matter that was properly dealt with within the public sector. If the reforms that we are proposing are put in place, it would be handled by the Public Sector Commissioner. That is where it should lie. It was not an appropriate process of appointment and it was not appropriate — Mr E.S. Ripper : Why didn’t you intervene? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not intervene as Premier directly in matters within the public sector. I understand that the Labor Party is supportive of our attempts to have the head of the public service be a public servant—that being Malcolm Wauchope, whom we appointed as Public Sector Commissioner. It is the intention of this government that the role of the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, hopefully with parliamentary approval, including the statutory reporting role of the Parliament, will be rolled into the position of the Public Sector Commissioner so for the first time in many years we will have a clear, independent head of the Western Australian public service to deal with such issues.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Let me say from the outset that I think it was unfortunate that Mr Caporn was appointed to FESA. I have no doubt about his competency to do the job, but given his background and history, it was an inappropriate appointment. It was looked at by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards. She pointed to some failings in the way in which that assessment took place. (1)-(4) In response to the questions, I am disappointed that FESA should seek private legal advice on a matter that was properly dealt with within the public sector. If the reforms that we are proposing are put in place, it would be handled by the Public Sector Commissioner. That is where it should lie. It was not an appropriate process of appointment and it was not appropriate — Mr E.S. Ripper : Why didn’t you intervene? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not intervene as Premier directly in matters within the public sector. I understand that the Labor Party is supportive of our attempts to have the head of the public service be a public servant—that being Malcolm Wauchope, whom we appointed as Public Sector Commissioner. It is the intention of this government that the role of the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, hopefully with parliamentary approval, including the statutory reporting role of the Parliament, will be rolled into the position of the Public Sector Commissioner so for the first time in many years we will have a clear, independent head of the Western Australian public service to deal with such issues.
Let me say from the outset that I think it was unfortunate that Mr Caporn was appointed to FESA. I have no doubt about his competency to do the job, but given his background and history, it was an inappropriate appointment. It was looked at by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards. She pointed to some failings in the way in which that assessment took place. (1)-(4) In response to the questions, I am disappointed that FESA should seek private legal advice on a matter that was properly dealt with within the public sector. If the reforms that we are proposing are put in place, it would be handled by the Public Sector Commissioner. That is where it should lie. It was not an appropriate process of appointment and it was not appropriate — Mr E.S. Ripper : Why didn’t you intervene? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not intervene as Premier directly in matters within the public sector. I understand that the Labor Party is supportive of our attempts to have the head of the public service be a public servant—that being Malcolm Wauchope, whom we appointed as Public Sector Commissioner. It is the intention of this government that the role of the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, hopefully with parliamentary approval, including the statutory reporting role of the Parliament, will be rolled into the position of the Public Sector Commissioner so for the first time in many years we will have a clear, independent head of the Western Australian public service to deal with such issues.
(1)-(4) In response to the questions, I am disappointed that FESA should seek private legal advice on a matter that was properly dealt with within the public sector. If the reforms that we are proposing are put in place, it would be handled by the Public Sector Commissioner. That is where it should lie. It was not an appropriate process of appointment and it was not appropriate — Mr E.S. Ripper : Why didn’t you intervene? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not intervene as Premier directly in matters within the public sector. I understand that the Labor Party is supportive of our attempts to have the head of the public service be a public servant—that being Malcolm Wauchope, whom we appointed as Public Sector Commissioner. It is the intention of this government that the role of the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, hopefully with parliamentary approval, including the statutory reporting role of the Parliament, will be rolled into the position of the Public Sector Commissioner so for the first time in many years we will have a clear, independent head of the Western Australian public service to deal with such issues.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Why didn’t you intervene? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not intervene as Premier directly in matters within the public sector. I understand that the Labor Party is supportive of our attempts to have the head of the public service be a public servant—that being Malcolm Wauchope, whom we appointed as Public Sector Commissioner. It is the intention of this government that the role of the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, hopefully with parliamentary approval, including the statutory reporting role of the Parliament, will be rolled into the position of the Public Sector Commissioner so for the first time in many years we will have a clear, independent head of the Western Australian public service to deal with such issues.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not intervene as Premier directly in matters within the public sector. I understand that the Labor Party is supportive of our attempts to have the head of the public service be a public servant—that being Malcolm Wauchope, whom we appointed as Public Sector Commissioner. It is the intention of this government that the role of the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, hopefully with parliamentary approval, including the statutory reporting role of the Parliament, will be rolled into the position of the Public Sector Commissioner so for the first time in many years we will have a clear, independent head of the Western Australian public service to deal with such issues.
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.