A WA parliamentary question seeks information on compensation for former employees of the Balga Works Program, including the status of submissions, communication with employees, legal advice received, and awareness of other departments paying compensation. The Minister's response indicates the matter is under Cabinet consideration, legal advice was received but is privileged, and the department is unaware of other departments paying compensation.

AnsweredQoN 3773Legislative Assembly
Asked
18 August 2010
Portfolio
Education

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Has any decision been made with regard to compensation for former employees of the Balga Works Program (BWP) based on their submissions lodged 15 months ago; and
(a) if not, why not; and
(b) if not, when is it anticipated that a decision on compensation will be made?
(2) Have former employees of BWP been kept up to date of the proceedings regarding compensation payments to them; and
(a) if not, why not?
(3) Has there been advice from the State Solicitors Office to the Department of Education; and
(a) if yes, when was the advice received;
(b) if yes, what was the import of the advice; and
(c) if yes, will the Minister table the advice?
(4) Is the Department of Education aware of any other departments paying compensation; and
(a) if yes, which department or departments; and
(b) how has this transpired and what is occurring?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
21 September 2010
Responded by
Minister for Education
Response time
34 days
In relation to the Balga Works Program which commenced in February 2005 and collapsed in October 2006, I advise as follows:
(1) The matter is currently under Cabinet consideration.
(1)(a) & (1)(b) Not applicable.
(2) Yes.  I understand the Department of Education has been in regular contact with former employees via telephone and email. The Department has not been in a position to make comment regarding Cabinet process.
(2)(a) Not applicable.
(3) Yes.
(3)(a) The Department first sought and received verbal advice in early August 2009 with subsequent written advice received in early October 2009 and early February 2010. Further verbal advice was provided in May 2010.
(3)(b) & (3)(c) The advice is legally and professionally privileged and it would be inappropriate to reveal content and table the advice.
(4) No. The Department is not aware of any other agency paying compensation to former employees of the Balga Works Program.
(4)(a) & (4)(b) Not applicable.
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