Hon J.A. Scott questions the process by which WALGA agreed to a single-person inquiry into the City of South Perth. Hon Tom Stephens clarifies the Minister's role and WALGA's autonomy in the nomination process.

AnsweredQoN 1411Legislative Council
Asked
15 May 2002
Portfolio
Local Government and Regional Development

QuestionView source ↗

CITY OF SOUTH PERTH, INQUIRY
In regard to the inquiry into the City of South Perth in November 2001 - (1) Did the state executive of the Western Australian Local Government Association agree to the setting up of a single-person inquiry into the City of South Perth, or did the director of WALGA make that decision? (2) If the decision was made by the state executive, at what meeting was the decision made? (3) If the director made the decision unilaterally, was he acting within the Act? Hon TOM STEPHENS

AnswerView source ↗

(1)-(3) I understand that the decision on whether a single-person inquiry should be held into the City of South Perth is the decision of the Minister for Local Government. If I choose the path of a single-person inquiry I need only consult with WALGA about the composition. I consulted WALGA. I have no knowledge how WALGA determined who would be the nominee for that appointment; that is not my responsibility. I have not inquired into it, nor should I. WALGA’s process is a matter for WALGA. Hon J.A. Scott interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, it does not. It requires me to agree with WALGA. I had advice from WALGA that it had agreed. I have not been advised on the process it undertook in order to feel free to advise me of that; nor have I inquired into it as it is not appropriate.
(1) Did the state executive of the Western Australian Local Government Association agree to the setting up of a single-person inquiry into the City of South Perth, or did the director of WALGA make that decision? (2) If the decision was made by the state executive, at what meeting was the decision made? (3) If the director made the decision unilaterally, was he acting within the Act? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(3) I understand that the decision on whether a single-person inquiry should be held into the City of South Perth is the decision of the Minister for Local Government. If I choose the path of a single-person inquiry I need only consult with WALGA about the composition. I consulted WALGA. I have no knowledge how WALGA determined who would be the nominee for that appointment; that is not my responsibility. I have not inquired into it, nor should I. WALGA’s process is a matter for WALGA. Hon J.A. Scott interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, it does not. It requires me to agree with WALGA. I had advice from WALGA that it had agreed. I have not been advised on the process it undertook in order to feel free to advise me of that; nor have I inquired into it as it is not appropriate.
(2) If the decision was made by the state executive, at what meeting was the decision made? (3) If the director made the decision unilaterally, was he acting within the Act? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(3) I understand that the decision on whether a single-person inquiry should be held into the City of South Perth is the decision of the Minister for Local Government. If I choose the path of a single-person inquiry I need only consult with WALGA about the composition. I consulted WALGA. I have no knowledge how WALGA determined who would be the nominee for that appointment; that is not my responsibility. I have not inquired into it, nor should I. WALGA’s process is a matter for WALGA. Hon J.A. Scott interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, it does not. It requires me to agree with WALGA. I had advice from WALGA that it had agreed. I have not been advised on the process it undertook in order to feel free to advise me of that; nor have I inquired into it as it is not appropriate.
(3) If the director made the decision unilaterally, was he acting within the Act? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(3) I understand that the decision on whether a single-person inquiry should be held into the City of South Perth is the decision of the Minister for Local Government. If I choose the path of a single-person inquiry I need only consult with WALGA about the composition. I consulted WALGA. I have no knowledge how WALGA determined who would be the nominee for that appointment; that is not my responsibility. I have not inquired into it, nor should I. WALGA’s process is a matter for WALGA. Hon J.A. Scott interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, it does not. It requires me to agree with WALGA. I had advice from WALGA that it had agreed. I have not been advised on the process it undertook in order to feel free to advise me of that; nor have I inquired into it as it is not appropriate.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(3) I understand that the decision on whether a single-person inquiry should be held into the City of South Perth is the decision of the Minister for Local Government. If I choose the path of a single-person inquiry I need only consult with WALGA about the composition. I consulted WALGA. I have no knowledge how WALGA determined who would be the nominee for that appointment; that is not my responsibility. I have not inquired into it, nor should I. WALGA’s process is a matter for WALGA. Hon J.A. Scott interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, it does not. It requires me to agree with WALGA. I had advice from WALGA that it had agreed. I have not been advised on the process it undertook in order to feel free to advise me of that; nor have I inquired into it as it is not appropriate.
(1)-(3) I understand that the decision on whether a single-person inquiry should be held into the City of South Perth is the decision of the Minister for Local Government. If I choose the path of a single-person inquiry I need only consult with WALGA about the composition. I consulted WALGA. I have no knowledge how WALGA determined who would be the nominee for that appointment; that is not my responsibility. I have not inquired into it, nor should I. WALGA’s process is a matter for WALGA. Hon J.A. Scott interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, it does not. It requires me to agree with WALGA. I had advice from WALGA that it had agreed. I have not been advised on the process it undertook in order to feel free to advise me of that; nor have I inquired into it as it is not appropriate.
Hon J.A. Scott interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, it does not. It requires me to agree with WALGA. I had advice from WALGA that it had agreed. I have not been advised on the process it undertook in order to feel free to advise me of that; nor have I inquired into it as it is not appropriate.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: No, it does not. It requires me to agree with WALGA. I had advice from WALGA that it had agreed. I have not been advised on the process it undertook in order to feel free to advise me of that; nor have I inquired into it as it is not appropriate.

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