❓ Hon Martin Aldridge questions the Premier regarding special inquiries into the Wooroloo bushfire and the state's COVID-19 response. The Premier's response indicates consideration of a review framework for the bushfire and deems further COVID-19 inquiries premature.
AnsweredQoN 37Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
PUBLIC SECTOR MANAGEMENT ACT — SPECIAL INQUIRIES
37. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I refer to section 24B of the Public
Sector Management Act 1994, which allows for the establishment of special
inquiries into the public sector.
(1) Given it has been three months since the
devastating Wooroloo bushfire on 1 February 2021 and in light of the state having previously commissioned three
special inquiries following the Perth hills fire event in 2011 , the
Margaret River fire event in 2011 and the Waroona fire event in 2016, is it the
Premier's intention to establish a special inquiry into the Wooroloo
bushfire; and, if so, when?
(2) I refer to
correspondence between the Premier and the Leader of the Nationals WA in
mid-2020 about the establishment of a special inquiry into the state's
preparedness and response to COVID-19. Noting that many other jurisdictions
have established public or parliamentary inquiries, will the Premier commit to
establishing a special inquiry; and, if so when?
37. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I refer to section 24B of the Public
Sector Management Act 1994, which allows for the establishment of special
inquiries into the public sector.
(1) Given it has been three months since the
devastating Wooroloo bushfire on 1 February 2021 and in light of the state having previously commissioned three
special inquiries following the Perth hills fire event in 2011 , the
Margaret River fire event in 2011 and the Waroona fire event in 2016, is it the
Premier's intention to establish a special inquiry into the Wooroloo
bushfire; and, if so, when?
(2) I refer to
correspondence between the Premier and the Leader of the Nationals WA in
mid-2020 about the establishment of a special inquiry into the state's
preparedness and response to COVID-19. Noting that many other jurisdictions
have established public or parliamentary inquiries, will the Premier commit to
establishing a special inquiry; and, if so when?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The state
government is currently considering a framework for the review of the Wooroloo
bushfire. An announcement on the parameters will be made in due course. The
Premier extends an invitation to the honourable
member to contact the Minister for Emergency Services for a briefing on this
matter if he so desires.
(2) As the honourable member would be aware, there
have already been a number of independent inquiries into specific
aspects of Western Australia's response to COVID-19, including the
Halton and Weeramanthri reviews of hotel
quarantine, as well as extensive evidence provided to committees of this
Parliament by the State Emergency Coordinator, the Chief Health Officer, the
State Recovery Coordinator and others. It would be premature to consider
establishing further inquiries while agencies are still dealing with the
pandemic.
some notice of the question.
(1) The state
government is currently considering a framework for the review of the Wooroloo
bushfire. An announcement on the parameters will be made in due course. The
Premier extends an invitation to the honourable
member to contact the Minister for Emergency Services for a briefing on this
matter if he so desires.
(2) As the honourable member would be aware, there
have already been a number of independent inquiries into specific
aspects of Western Australia's response to COVID-19, including the
Halton and Weeramanthri reviews of hotel
quarantine, as well as extensive evidence provided to committees of this
Parliament by the State Emergency Coordinator, the Chief Health Officer, the
State Recovery Coordinator and others. It would be premature to consider
establishing further inquiries while agencies are still dealing with the
pandemic.
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