❓ A WA parliament member questions the Treasurer about the delay in appointing a permanent Under Treasurer for the Department of Treasury and Finance, suggesting potential issues with the selection process and the preference for interstate candidates. The Treasurer defends the delay, citing the upcoming election and the need for a proper selection process.
AnsweredQoN 153Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the Treasurer to his indecisiveness in allowing the extremely important Department of Treasury and Finance to drift without a rudder for the past 12 months while Western Australia has had a rotating selection of Acting Under Treasurers. (1) Why has it taken the Treasurer so long to fill the position of Under Treasurer, which undoubtedly is one of the most important senior executive roles in government? (2) When will this position be filled permanently? (3) Is it true that none of the three Acting Under Treasurers will get this job and the government will import an out of state applicant after another eastern stater turned it down? Point of Order Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Ministers can answer questions relating to their portfolio. The appointment of senior officers is a matter that comes under the Public Sector Management Act and is the responsibility of the Premier, not the Treasurer. Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Although I appreciate that this is a question about the appointment of a chief executive officer, the Treasurer is responsible for the whole department. The department will not operate effectively and efficiently until it has a permanent chief executive officer. The SPEAKER : Order! What the Leader of the House says is true. I am sure the Treasurer knows what the question is and will either answer it or not answer it. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) It is demonstrably the case that the Department of Treasury and Finance is performing very well. The former Under Treasurer was a great strength for the public sector, and, indeed, for the previous government and this government. One of the characteristics of his strong leadership was that he fostered people underneath him and arranged for their professional development. Therefore, although we certainly missed him when he departed, we have had the benefit of the people whom he mentored. They are excellent people, and they have performed very well indeed. The Under Treasurer position is a very important position in the state public sector. It is important that we go through a proper selection process. We resolved that it would not be appropriate to have a selection process that would result in an appointment very close to the beginning of the then forthcoming state election campaign. I think the opposition would have been strongly critical of an appointment process that resulted in the appointment of a new Under Treasurer just before the beginning of the caretaker period of government and the election of a new government. Therefore, we deliberately decided to have the selection process commence before the election campaign but not conclude until after the election campaign so that the applicants would have the benefit of knowing the outcome of the election, and the incoming government would have the benefit of being able to make the appointment. I do not have personal supervision of the selection process. That is a matter for the Minister for Public Sector Management. I cannot therefore comment at all on the member’s retailing of what would appear to be scurrilous gossip.
(1) Why has it taken the Treasurer so long to fill the position of Under Treasurer, which undoubtedly is one of the most important senior executive roles in government? (2) When will this position be filled permanently? (3) Is it true that none of the three Acting Under Treasurers will get this job and the government will import an out of state applicant after another eastern stater turned it down? Point of Order Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Ministers can answer questions relating to their portfolio. The appointment of senior officers is a matter that comes under the Public Sector Management Act and is the responsibility of the Premier, not the Treasurer. Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Although I appreciate that this is a question about the appointment of a chief executive officer, the Treasurer is responsible for the whole department. The department will not operate effectively and efficiently until it has a permanent chief executive officer. The SPEAKER : Order! What the Leader of the House says is true. I am sure the Treasurer knows what the question is and will either answer it or not answer it. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) It is demonstrably the case that the Department of Treasury and Finance is performing very well. The former Under Treasurer was a great strength for the public sector, and, indeed, for the previous government and this government. One of the characteristics of his strong leadership was that he fostered people underneath him and arranged for their professional development. Therefore, although we certainly missed him when he departed, we have had the benefit of the people whom he mentored. They are excellent people, and they have performed very well indeed. The Under Treasurer position is a very important position in the state public sector. It is important that we go through a proper selection process. We resolved that it would not be appropriate to have a selection process that would result in an appointment very close to the beginning of the then forthcoming state election campaign. I think the opposition would have been strongly critical of an appointment process that resulted in the appointment of a new Under Treasurer just before the beginning of the caretaker period of government and the election of a new government. Therefore, we deliberately decided to have the selection process commence before the election campaign but not conclude until after the election campaign so that the applicants would have the benefit of knowing the outcome of the election, and the incoming government would have the benefit of being able to make the appointment. I do not have personal supervision of the selection process. That is a matter for the Minister for Public Sector Management. I cannot therefore comment at all on the member’s retailing of what would appear to be scurrilous gossip.
(2) When will this position be filled permanently? (3) Is it true that none of the three Acting Under Treasurers will get this job and the government will import an out of state applicant after another eastern stater turned it down? Point of Order Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Ministers can answer questions relating to their portfolio. The appointment of senior officers is a matter that comes under the Public Sector Management Act and is the responsibility of the Premier, not the Treasurer. Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Although I appreciate that this is a question about the appointment of a chief executive officer, the Treasurer is responsible for the whole department. The department will not operate effectively and efficiently until it has a permanent chief executive officer. The SPEAKER : Order! What the Leader of the House says is true. I am sure the Treasurer knows what the question is and will either answer it or not answer it. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) It is demonstrably the case that the Department of Treasury and Finance is performing very well. The former Under Treasurer was a great strength for the public sector, and, indeed, for the previous government and this government. One of the characteristics of his strong leadership was that he fostered people underneath him and arranged for their professional development. Therefore, although we certainly missed him when he departed, we have had the benefit of the people whom he mentored. They are excellent people, and they have performed very well indeed. The Under Treasurer position is a very important position in the state public sector. It is important that we go through a proper selection process. We resolved that it would not be appropriate to have a selection process that would result in an appointment very close to the beginning of the then forthcoming state election campaign. I think the opposition would have been strongly critical of an appointment process that resulted in the appointment of a new Under Treasurer just before the beginning of the caretaker period of government and the election of a new government. Therefore, we deliberately decided to have the selection process commence before the election campaign but not conclude until after the election campaign so that the applicants would have the benefit of knowing the outcome of the election, and the incoming government would have the benefit of being able to make the appointment. I do not have personal supervision of the selection process. That is a matter for the Minister for Public Sector Management. I cannot therefore comment at all on the member’s retailing of what would appear to be scurrilous gossip.
(3) Is it true that none of the three Acting Under Treasurers will get this job and the government will import an out of state applicant after another eastern stater turned it down? Point of Order Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Ministers can answer questions relating to their portfolio. The appointment of senior officers is a matter that comes under the Public Sector Management Act and is the responsibility of the Premier, not the Treasurer. Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Although I appreciate that this is a question about the appointment of a chief executive officer, the Treasurer is responsible for the whole department. The department will not operate effectively and efficiently until it has a permanent chief executive officer. The SPEAKER : Order! What the Leader of the House says is true. I am sure the Treasurer knows what the question is and will either answer it or not answer it. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) It is demonstrably the case that the Department of Treasury and Finance is performing very well. The former Under Treasurer was a great strength for the public sector, and, indeed, for the previous government and this government. One of the characteristics of his strong leadership was that he fostered people underneath him and arranged for their professional development. Therefore, although we certainly missed him when he departed, we have had the benefit of the people whom he mentored. They are excellent people, and they have performed very well indeed. The Under Treasurer position is a very important position in the state public sector. It is important that we go through a proper selection process. We resolved that it would not be appropriate to have a selection process that would result in an appointment very close to the beginning of the then forthcoming state election campaign. I think the opposition would have been strongly critical of an appointment process that resulted in the appointment of a new Under Treasurer just before the beginning of the caretaker period of government and the election of a new government. Therefore, we deliberately decided to have the selection process commence before the election campaign but not conclude until after the election campaign so that the applicants would have the benefit of knowing the outcome of the election, and the incoming government would have the benefit of being able to make the appointment. I do not have personal supervision of the selection process. That is a matter for the Minister for Public Sector Management. I cannot therefore comment at all on the member’s retailing of what would appear to be scurrilous gossip.
Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Although I appreciate that this is a question about the appointment of a chief executive officer, the Treasurer is responsible for the whole department. The department will not operate effectively and efficiently until it has a permanent chief executive officer. The SPEAKER : Order! What the Leader of the House says is true. I am sure the Treasurer knows what the question is and will either answer it or not answer it. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) It is demonstrably the case that the Department of Treasury and Finance is performing very well. The former Under Treasurer was a great strength for the public sector, and, indeed, for the previous government and this government. One of the characteristics of his strong leadership was that he fostered people underneath him and arranged for their professional development. Therefore, although we certainly missed him when he departed, we have had the benefit of the people whom he mentored. They are excellent people, and they have performed very well indeed. The Under Treasurer position is a very important position in the state public sector. It is important that we go through a proper selection process. We resolved that it would not be appropriate to have a selection process that would result in an appointment very close to the beginning of the then forthcoming state election campaign. I think the opposition would have been strongly critical of an appointment process that resulted in the appointment of a new Under Treasurer just before the beginning of the caretaker period of government and the election of a new government. Therefore, we deliberately decided to have the selection process commence before the election campaign but not conclude until after the election campaign so that the applicants would have the benefit of knowing the outcome of the election, and the incoming government would have the benefit of being able to make the appointment. I do not have personal supervision of the selection process. That is a matter for the Minister for Public Sector Management. I cannot therefore comment at all on the member’s retailing of what would appear to be scurrilous gossip.
The SPEAKER : Order! What the Leader of the House says is true. I am sure the Treasurer knows what the question is and will either answer it or not answer it. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) It is demonstrably the case that the Department of Treasury and Finance is performing very well. The former Under Treasurer was a great strength for the public sector, and, indeed, for the previous government and this government. One of the characteristics of his strong leadership was that he fostered people underneath him and arranged for their professional development. Therefore, although we certainly missed him when he departed, we have had the benefit of the people whom he mentored. They are excellent people, and they have performed very well indeed. The Under Treasurer position is a very important position in the state public sector. It is important that we go through a proper selection process. We resolved that it would not be appropriate to have a selection process that would result in an appointment very close to the beginning of the then forthcoming state election campaign. I think the opposition would have been strongly critical of an appointment process that resulted in the appointment of a new Under Treasurer just before the beginning of the caretaker period of government and the election of a new government. Therefore, we deliberately decided to have the selection process commence before the election campaign but not conclude until after the election campaign so that the applicants would have the benefit of knowing the outcome of the election, and the incoming government would have the benefit of being able to make the appointment. I do not have personal supervision of the selection process. That is a matter for the Minister for Public Sector Management. I cannot therefore comment at all on the member’s retailing of what would appear to be scurrilous gossip.
(1)-(3) It is demonstrably the case that the Department of Treasury and Finance is performing very well. The former Under Treasurer was a great strength for the public sector, and, indeed, for the previous government and this government. One of the characteristics of his strong leadership was that he fostered people underneath him and arranged for their professional development. Therefore, although we certainly missed him when he departed, we have had the benefit of the people whom he mentored. They are excellent people, and they have performed very well indeed. The Under Treasurer position is a very important position in the state public sector. It is important that we go through a proper selection process. We resolved that it would not be appropriate to have a selection process that would result in an appointment very close to the beginning of the then forthcoming state election campaign. I think the opposition would have been strongly critical of an appointment process that resulted in the appointment of a new Under Treasurer just before the beginning of the caretaker period of government and the election of a new government. Therefore, we deliberately decided to have the selection process commence before the election campaign but not conclude until after the election campaign so that the applicants would have the benefit of knowing the outcome of the election, and the incoming government would have the benefit of being able to make the appointment. I do not have personal supervision of the selection process. That is a matter for the Minister for Public Sector Management. I cannot therefore comment at all on the member’s retailing of what would appear to be scurrilous gossip.
(1) Why has it taken the Treasurer so long to fill the position of Under Treasurer, which undoubtedly is one of the most important senior executive roles in government? (2) When will this position be filled permanently? (3) Is it true that none of the three Acting Under Treasurers will get this job and the government will import an out of state applicant after another eastern stater turned it down? Point of Order Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Ministers can answer questions relating to their portfolio. The appointment of senior officers is a matter that comes under the Public Sector Management Act and is the responsibility of the Premier, not the Treasurer. Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Although I appreciate that this is a question about the appointment of a chief executive officer, the Treasurer is responsible for the whole department. The department will not operate effectively and efficiently until it has a permanent chief executive officer. The SPEAKER : Order! What the Leader of the House says is true. I am sure the Treasurer knows what the question is and will either answer it or not answer it. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) It is demonstrably the case that the Department of Treasury and Finance is performing very well. The former Under Treasurer was a great strength for the public sector, and, indeed, for the previous government and this government. One of the characteristics of his strong leadership was that he fostered people underneath him and arranged for their professional development. Therefore, although we certainly missed him when he departed, we have had the benefit of the people whom he mentored. They are excellent people, and they have performed very well indeed. The Under Treasurer position is a very important position in the state public sector. It is important that we go through a proper selection process. We resolved that it would not be appropriate to have a selection process that would result in an appointment very close to the beginning of the then forthcoming state election campaign. I think the opposition would have been strongly critical of an appointment process that resulted in the appointment of a new Under Treasurer just before the beginning of the caretaker period of government and the election of a new government. Therefore, we deliberately decided to have the selection process commence before the election campaign but not conclude until after the election campaign so that the applicants would have the benefit of knowing the outcome of the election, and the incoming government would have the benefit of being able to make the appointment. I do not have personal supervision of the selection process. That is a matter for the Minister for Public Sector Management. I cannot therefore comment at all on the member’s retailing of what would appear to be scurrilous gossip.
(2) When will this position be filled permanently? (3) Is it true that none of the three Acting Under Treasurers will get this job and the government will import an out of state applicant after another eastern stater turned it down? Point of Order Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Ministers can answer questions relating to their portfolio. The appointment of senior officers is a matter that comes under the Public Sector Management Act and is the responsibility of the Premier, not the Treasurer. Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Although I appreciate that this is a question about the appointment of a chief executive officer, the Treasurer is responsible for the whole department. The department will not operate effectively and efficiently until it has a permanent chief executive officer. The SPEAKER : Order! What the Leader of the House says is true. I am sure the Treasurer knows what the question is and will either answer it or not answer it. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) It is demonstrably the case that the Department of Treasury and Finance is performing very well. The former Under Treasurer was a great strength for the public sector, and, indeed, for the previous government and this government. One of the characteristics of his strong leadership was that he fostered people underneath him and arranged for their professional development. Therefore, although we certainly missed him when he departed, we have had the benefit of the people whom he mentored. They are excellent people, and they have performed very well indeed. The Under Treasurer position is a very important position in the state public sector. It is important that we go through a proper selection process. We resolved that it would not be appropriate to have a selection process that would result in an appointment very close to the beginning of the then forthcoming state election campaign. I think the opposition would have been strongly critical of an appointment process that resulted in the appointment of a new Under Treasurer just before the beginning of the caretaker period of government and the election of a new government. Therefore, we deliberately decided to have the selection process commence before the election campaign but not conclude until after the election campaign so that the applicants would have the benefit of knowing the outcome of the election, and the incoming government would have the benefit of being able to make the appointment. I do not have personal supervision of the selection process. That is a matter for the Minister for Public Sector Management. I cannot therefore comment at all on the member’s retailing of what would appear to be scurrilous gossip.
(3) Is it true that none of the three Acting Under Treasurers will get this job and the government will import an out of state applicant after another eastern stater turned it down? Point of Order Mr J.C. KOBELKE : Ministers can answer questions relating to their portfolio. The appointment of senior officers is a matter that comes under the Public Sector Management Act and is the responsibility of the Premier, not the Treasurer. Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Although I appreciate that this is a question about the appointment of a chief executive officer, the Treasurer is responsible for the whole department. The department will not operate effectively and efficiently until it has a permanent chief executive officer. The SPEAKER : Order! What the Leader of the House says is true. I am sure the Treasurer knows what the question is and will either answer it or not answer it. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) It is demonstrably the case that the Department of Treasury and Finance is performing very well. The former Under Treasurer was a great strength for the public sector, and, indeed, for the previous government and this government. One of the characteristics of his strong leadership was that he fostered people underneath him and arranged for their professional development. Therefore, although we certainly missed him when he departed, we have had the benefit of the people whom he mentored. They are excellent people, and they have performed very well indeed. The Under Treasurer position is a very important position in the state public sector. It is important that we go through a proper selection process. We resolved that it would not be appropriate to have a selection process that would result in an appointment very close to the beginning of the then forthcoming state election campaign. I think the opposition would have been strongly critical of an appointment process that resulted in the appointment of a new Under Treasurer just before the beginning of the caretaker period of government and the election of a new government. Therefore, we deliberately decided to have the selection process commence before the election campaign but not conclude until after the election campaign so that the applicants would have the benefit of knowing the outcome of the election, and the incoming government would have the benefit of being able to make the appointment. I do not have personal supervision of the selection process. That is a matter for the Minister for Public Sector Management. I cannot therefore comment at all on the member’s retailing of what would appear to be scurrilous gossip.
Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN : Although I appreciate that this is a question about the appointment of a chief executive officer, the Treasurer is responsible for the whole department. The department will not operate effectively and efficiently until it has a permanent chief executive officer. The SPEAKER : Order! What the Leader of the House says is true. I am sure the Treasurer knows what the question is and will either answer it or not answer it. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) It is demonstrably the case that the Department of Treasury and Finance is performing very well. The former Under Treasurer was a great strength for the public sector, and, indeed, for the previous government and this government. One of the characteristics of his strong leadership was that he fostered people underneath him and arranged for their professional development. Therefore, although we certainly missed him when he departed, we have had the benefit of the people whom he mentored. They are excellent people, and they have performed very well indeed. The Under Treasurer position is a very important position in the state public sector. It is important that we go through a proper selection process. We resolved that it would not be appropriate to have a selection process that would result in an appointment very close to the beginning of the then forthcoming state election campaign. I think the opposition would have been strongly critical of an appointment process that resulted in the appointment of a new Under Treasurer just before the beginning of the caretaker period of government and the election of a new government. Therefore, we deliberately decided to have the selection process commence before the election campaign but not conclude until after the election campaign so that the applicants would have the benefit of knowing the outcome of the election, and the incoming government would have the benefit of being able to make the appointment. I do not have personal supervision of the selection process. That is a matter for the Minister for Public Sector Management. I cannot therefore comment at all on the member’s retailing of what would appear to be scurrilous gossip.
The SPEAKER : Order! What the Leader of the House says is true. I am sure the Treasurer knows what the question is and will either answer it or not answer it. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) It is demonstrably the case that the Department of Treasury and Finance is performing very well. The former Under Treasurer was a great strength for the public sector, and, indeed, for the previous government and this government. One of the characteristics of his strong leadership was that he fostered people underneath him and arranged for their professional development. Therefore, although we certainly missed him when he departed, we have had the benefit of the people whom he mentored. They are excellent people, and they have performed very well indeed. The Under Treasurer position is a very important position in the state public sector. It is important that we go through a proper selection process. We resolved that it would not be appropriate to have a selection process that would result in an appointment very close to the beginning of the then forthcoming state election campaign. I think the opposition would have been strongly critical of an appointment process that resulted in the appointment of a new Under Treasurer just before the beginning of the caretaker period of government and the election of a new government. Therefore, we deliberately decided to have the selection process commence before the election campaign but not conclude until after the election campaign so that the applicants would have the benefit of knowing the outcome of the election, and the incoming government would have the benefit of being able to make the appointment. I do not have personal supervision of the selection process. That is a matter for the Minister for Public Sector Management. I cannot therefore comment at all on the member’s retailing of what would appear to be scurrilous gossip.
(1)-(3) It is demonstrably the case that the Department of Treasury and Finance is performing very well. The former Under Treasurer was a great strength for the public sector, and, indeed, for the previous government and this government. One of the characteristics of his strong leadership was that he fostered people underneath him and arranged for their professional development. Therefore, although we certainly missed him when he departed, we have had the benefit of the people whom he mentored. They are excellent people, and they have performed very well indeed. The Under Treasurer position is a very important position in the state public sector. It is important that we go through a proper selection process. We resolved that it would not be appropriate to have a selection process that would result in an appointment very close to the beginning of the then forthcoming state election campaign. I think the opposition would have been strongly critical of an appointment process that resulted in the appointment of a new Under Treasurer just before the beginning of the caretaker period of government and the election of a new government. Therefore, we deliberately decided to have the selection process commence before the election campaign but not conclude until after the election campaign so that the applicants would have the benefit of knowing the outcome of the election, and the incoming government would have the benefit of being able to make the appointment. I do not have personal supervision of the selection process. That is a matter for the Minister for Public Sector Management. I cannot therefore comment at all on the member’s retailing of what would appear to be scurrilous gossip.
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