❓ A parliamentary question seeks information about the Minister for Education's chiefs of staff, including reasons for leaving and current staffing arrangements. The Minister provides some details, but lacks specific salary information.
AnsweredQoN 194Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MINISTER FOR EDUCATION — CHIEFS OF STAFF
(1) What are the names of each of the chiefs of staff who have worked in her office and what reason did each of them give for leaving? (2) Have any of the minister’s former chiefs of staff been moved sideways and been given alternative positions within government? (3) Were any of the chiefs of staff asked to leave by either the minister or the Premier or did each of them leave voluntarily? (4) Who is the minister’s current chief of staff and how long does she expect that person to be in that position? Dr E. CONSTABLE
(1) What are the names of each of the chiefs of staff who have worked in her office and what reason did each of them give for leaving? (2) Have any of the minister’s former chiefs of staff been moved sideways and been given alternative positions within government? (3) Were any of the chiefs of staff asked to leave by either the minister or the Premier or did each of them leave voluntarily? (4) Who is the minister’s current chief of staff and how long does she expect that person to be in that position? Dr E. CONSTABLE
AnswerView source ↗
I am more than happy to answer the question. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Midland asked a question of the Minister for Education. I do not know that the member for Albany has asked the member for Wanneroo a question; neither has the member for Wanneroo asked a question of the member for Albany. I formally call the member for Wanneroo for the first time and the member for Albany for the second time. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am more than happy to answer the member for Midland’s question. (1)–(4) My first chief of staff was Tony Rutherford. I cannot remember the exact period he spent in that position, but, in fact, he is still in my office as a senior policy officer. It was at his request that he change his role from chief of staff to policy officer. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Did he keep the same wages, even though he no longer fills the role? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am not familiar with the salaries paid to each person in my office. Tony Rutherford moved into a purely policy role after many months as chief of staff in my office. Kent Acott, who was my media adviser, moved into that role for many weeks in an acting capacity. He was then replaced earlier this year by Mr Eddie West, who was engaged in an acting capacity for three months. Currently Mr Jeremy Lee, who has been in my office almost since the beginning of this term of government, is acting in the role.
(2) Have any of the minister’s former chiefs of staff been moved sideways and been given alternative positions within government? (3) Were any of the chiefs of staff asked to leave by either the minister or the Premier or did each of them leave voluntarily? (4) Who is the minister’s current chief of staff and how long does she expect that person to be in that position? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I am more than happy to answer the question. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Midland asked a question of the Minister for Education. I do not know that the member for Albany has asked the member for Wanneroo a question; neither has the member for Wanneroo asked a question of the member for Albany. I formally call the member for Wanneroo for the first time and the member for Albany for the second time. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am more than happy to answer the member for Midland’s question. (1)–(4) My first chief of staff was Tony Rutherford. I cannot remember the exact period he spent in that position, but, in fact, he is still in my office as a senior policy officer. It was at his request that he change his role from chief of staff to policy officer. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Did he keep the same wages, even though he no longer fills the role? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am not familiar with the salaries paid to each person in my office. Tony Rutherford moved into a purely policy role after many months as chief of staff in my office. Kent Acott, who was my media adviser, moved into that role for many weeks in an acting capacity. He was then replaced earlier this year by Mr Eddie West, who was engaged in an acting capacity for three months. Currently Mr Jeremy Lee, who has been in my office almost since the beginning of this term of government, is acting in the role.
(3) Were any of the chiefs of staff asked to leave by either the minister or the Premier or did each of them leave voluntarily? (4) Who is the minister’s current chief of staff and how long does she expect that person to be in that position? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I am more than happy to answer the question. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Midland asked a question of the Minister for Education. I do not know that the member for Albany has asked the member for Wanneroo a question; neither has the member for Wanneroo asked a question of the member for Albany. I formally call the member for Wanneroo for the first time and the member for Albany for the second time. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am more than happy to answer the member for Midland’s question. (1)–(4) My first chief of staff was Tony Rutherford. I cannot remember the exact period he spent in that position, but, in fact, he is still in my office as a senior policy officer. It was at his request that he change his role from chief of staff to policy officer. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Did he keep the same wages, even though he no longer fills the role? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am not familiar with the salaries paid to each person in my office. Tony Rutherford moved into a purely policy role after many months as chief of staff in my office. Kent Acott, who was my media adviser, moved into that role for many weeks in an acting capacity. He was then replaced earlier this year by Mr Eddie West, who was engaged in an acting capacity for three months. Currently Mr Jeremy Lee, who has been in my office almost since the beginning of this term of government, is acting in the role.
(4) Who is the minister’s current chief of staff and how long does she expect that person to be in that position? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I am more than happy to answer the question. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Midland asked a question of the Minister for Education. I do not know that the member for Albany has asked the member for Wanneroo a question; neither has the member for Wanneroo asked a question of the member for Albany. I formally call the member for Wanneroo for the first time and the member for Albany for the second time. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am more than happy to answer the member for Midland’s question. (1)–(4) My first chief of staff was Tony Rutherford. I cannot remember the exact period he spent in that position, but, in fact, he is still in my office as a senior policy officer. It was at his request that he change his role from chief of staff to policy officer. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Did he keep the same wages, even though he no longer fills the role? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am not familiar with the salaries paid to each person in my office. Tony Rutherford moved into a purely policy role after many months as chief of staff in my office. Kent Acott, who was my media adviser, moved into that role for many weeks in an acting capacity. He was then replaced earlier this year by Mr Eddie West, who was engaged in an acting capacity for three months. Currently Mr Jeremy Lee, who has been in my office almost since the beginning of this term of government, is acting in the role.
Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I am more than happy to answer the question. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Midland asked a question of the Minister for Education. I do not know that the member for Albany has asked the member for Wanneroo a question; neither has the member for Wanneroo asked a question of the member for Albany. I formally call the member for Wanneroo for the first time and the member for Albany for the second time. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am more than happy to answer the member for Midland’s question. (1)–(4) My first chief of staff was Tony Rutherford. I cannot remember the exact period he spent in that position, but, in fact, he is still in my office as a senior policy officer. It was at his request that he change his role from chief of staff to policy officer. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Did he keep the same wages, even though he no longer fills the role? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am not familiar with the salaries paid to each person in my office. Tony Rutherford moved into a purely policy role after many months as chief of staff in my office. Kent Acott, who was my media adviser, moved into that role for many weeks in an acting capacity. He was then replaced earlier this year by Mr Eddie West, who was engaged in an acting capacity for three months. Currently Mr Jeremy Lee, who has been in my office almost since the beginning of this term of government, is acting in the role.
I am more than happy to answer the question. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Midland asked a question of the Minister for Education. I do not know that the member for Albany has asked the member for Wanneroo a question; neither has the member for Wanneroo asked a question of the member for Albany. I formally call the member for Wanneroo for the first time and the member for Albany for the second time. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am more than happy to answer the member for Midland’s question. (1)–(4) My first chief of staff was Tony Rutherford. I cannot remember the exact period he spent in that position, but, in fact, he is still in my office as a senior policy officer. It was at his request that he change his role from chief of staff to policy officer. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Did he keep the same wages, even though he no longer fills the role? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am not familiar with the salaries paid to each person in my office. Tony Rutherford moved into a purely policy role after many months as chief of staff in my office. Kent Acott, who was my media adviser, moved into that role for many weeks in an acting capacity. He was then replaced earlier this year by Mr Eddie West, who was engaged in an acting capacity for three months. Currently Mr Jeremy Lee, who has been in my office almost since the beginning of this term of government, is acting in the role.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Midland asked a question of the Minister for Education. I do not know that the member for Albany has asked the member for Wanneroo a question; neither has the member for Wanneroo asked a question of the member for Albany. I formally call the member for Wanneroo for the first time and the member for Albany for the second time. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am more than happy to answer the member for Midland’s question. (1)–(4) My first chief of staff was Tony Rutherford. I cannot remember the exact period he spent in that position, but, in fact, he is still in my office as a senior policy officer. It was at his request that he change his role from chief of staff to policy officer. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Did he keep the same wages, even though he no longer fills the role? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am not familiar with the salaries paid to each person in my office. Tony Rutherford moved into a purely policy role after many months as chief of staff in my office. Kent Acott, who was my media adviser, moved into that role for many weeks in an acting capacity. He was then replaced earlier this year by Mr Eddie West, who was engaged in an acting capacity for three months. Currently Mr Jeremy Lee, who has been in my office almost since the beginning of this term of government, is acting in the role.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Midland asked a question of the Minister for Education. I do not know that the member for Albany has asked the member for Wanneroo a question; neither has the member for Wanneroo asked a question of the member for Albany. I formally call the member for Wanneroo for the first time and the member for Albany for the second time. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am more than happy to answer the member for Midland’s question. (1)–(4) My first chief of staff was Tony Rutherford. I cannot remember the exact period he spent in that position, but, in fact, he is still in my office as a senior policy officer. It was at his request that he change his role from chief of staff to policy officer. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Did he keep the same wages, even though he no longer fills the role? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am not familiar with the salaries paid to each person in my office. Tony Rutherford moved into a purely policy role after many months as chief of staff in my office. Kent Acott, who was my media adviser, moved into that role for many weeks in an acting capacity. He was then replaced earlier this year by Mr Eddie West, who was engaged in an acting capacity for three months. Currently Mr Jeremy Lee, who has been in my office almost since the beginning of this term of government, is acting in the role.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am more than happy to answer the member for Midland’s question. (1)–(4) My first chief of staff was Tony Rutherford. I cannot remember the exact period he spent in that position, but, in fact, he is still in my office as a senior policy officer. It was at his request that he change his role from chief of staff to policy officer. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Did he keep the same wages, even though he no longer fills the role? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am not familiar with the salaries paid to each person in my office. Tony Rutherford moved into a purely policy role after many months as chief of staff in my office. Kent Acott, who was my media adviser, moved into that role for many weeks in an acting capacity. He was then replaced earlier this year by Mr Eddie West, who was engaged in an acting capacity for three months. Currently Mr Jeremy Lee, who has been in my office almost since the beginning of this term of government, is acting in the role.
(1)–(4) My first chief of staff was Tony Rutherford. I cannot remember the exact period he spent in that position, but, in fact, he is still in my office as a senior policy officer. It was at his request that he change his role from chief of staff to policy officer. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Did he keep the same wages, even though he no longer fills the role? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am not familiar with the salaries paid to each person in my office. Tony Rutherford moved into a purely policy role after many months as chief of staff in my office. Kent Acott, who was my media adviser, moved into that role for many weeks in an acting capacity. He was then replaced earlier this year by Mr Eddie West, who was engaged in an acting capacity for three months. Currently Mr Jeremy Lee, who has been in my office almost since the beginning of this term of government, is acting in the role.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : Did he keep the same wages, even though he no longer fills the role? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am not familiar with the salaries paid to each person in my office. Tony Rutherford moved into a purely policy role after many months as chief of staff in my office. Kent Acott, who was my media adviser, moved into that role for many weeks in an acting capacity. He was then replaced earlier this year by Mr Eddie West, who was engaged in an acting capacity for three months. Currently Mr Jeremy Lee, who has been in my office almost since the beginning of this term of government, is acting in the role.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am not familiar with the salaries paid to each person in my office. Tony Rutherford moved into a purely policy role after many months as chief of staff in my office. Kent Acott, who was my media adviser, moved into that role for many weeks in an acting capacity. He was then replaced earlier this year by Mr Eddie West, who was engaged in an acting capacity for three months. Currently Mr Jeremy Lee, who has been in my office almost since the beginning of this term of government, is acting in the role.
(2) Have any of the minister’s former chiefs of staff been moved sideways and been given alternative positions within government? (3) Were any of the chiefs of staff asked to leave by either the minister or the Premier or did each of them leave voluntarily? (4) Who is the minister’s current chief of staff and how long does she expect that person to be in that position? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I am more than happy to answer the question. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Midland asked a question of the Minister for Education. I do not know that the member for Albany has asked the member for Wanneroo a question; neither has the member for Wanneroo asked a question of the member for Albany. I formally call the member for Wanneroo for the first time and the member for Albany for the second time. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am more than happy to answer the member for Midland’s question. (1)–(4) My first chief of staff was Tony Rutherford. I cannot remember the exact period he spent in that position, but, in fact, he is still in my office as a senior policy officer. It was at his request that he change his role from chief of staff to policy officer. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Did he keep the same wages, even though he no longer fills the role? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am not familiar with the salaries paid to each person in my office. Tony Rutherford moved into a purely policy role after many months as chief of staff in my office. Kent Acott, who was my media adviser, moved into that role for many weeks in an acting capacity. He was then replaced earlier this year by Mr Eddie West, who was engaged in an acting capacity for three months. Currently Mr Jeremy Lee, who has been in my office almost since the beginning of this term of government, is acting in the role.
(3) Were any of the chiefs of staff asked to leave by either the minister or the Premier or did each of them leave voluntarily? (4) Who is the minister’s current chief of staff and how long does she expect that person to be in that position? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I am more than happy to answer the question. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Midland asked a question of the Minister for Education. I do not know that the member for Albany has asked the member for Wanneroo a question; neither has the member for Wanneroo asked a question of the member for Albany. I formally call the member for Wanneroo for the first time and the member for Albany for the second time. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am more than happy to answer the member for Midland’s question. (1)–(4) My first chief of staff was Tony Rutherford. I cannot remember the exact period he spent in that position, but, in fact, he is still in my office as a senior policy officer. It was at his request that he change his role from chief of staff to policy officer. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Did he keep the same wages, even though he no longer fills the role? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am not familiar with the salaries paid to each person in my office. Tony Rutherford moved into a purely policy role after many months as chief of staff in my office. Kent Acott, who was my media adviser, moved into that role for many weeks in an acting capacity. He was then replaced earlier this year by Mr Eddie West, who was engaged in an acting capacity for three months. Currently Mr Jeremy Lee, who has been in my office almost since the beginning of this term of government, is acting in the role.
(4) Who is the minister’s current chief of staff and how long does she expect that person to be in that position? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I am more than happy to answer the question. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Midland asked a question of the Minister for Education. I do not know that the member for Albany has asked the member for Wanneroo a question; neither has the member for Wanneroo asked a question of the member for Albany. I formally call the member for Wanneroo for the first time and the member for Albany for the second time. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am more than happy to answer the member for Midland’s question. (1)–(4) My first chief of staff was Tony Rutherford. I cannot remember the exact period he spent in that position, but, in fact, he is still in my office as a senior policy officer. It was at his request that he change his role from chief of staff to policy officer. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Did he keep the same wages, even though he no longer fills the role? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am not familiar with the salaries paid to each person in my office. Tony Rutherford moved into a purely policy role after many months as chief of staff in my office. Kent Acott, who was my media adviser, moved into that role for many weeks in an acting capacity. He was then replaced earlier this year by Mr Eddie West, who was engaged in an acting capacity for three months. Currently Mr Jeremy Lee, who has been in my office almost since the beginning of this term of government, is acting in the role.
Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I am more than happy to answer the question. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Midland asked a question of the Minister for Education. I do not know that the member for Albany has asked the member for Wanneroo a question; neither has the member for Wanneroo asked a question of the member for Albany. I formally call the member for Wanneroo for the first time and the member for Albany for the second time. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am more than happy to answer the member for Midland’s question. (1)–(4) My first chief of staff was Tony Rutherford. I cannot remember the exact period he spent in that position, but, in fact, he is still in my office as a senior policy officer. It was at his request that he change his role from chief of staff to policy officer. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Did he keep the same wages, even though he no longer fills the role? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am not familiar with the salaries paid to each person in my office. Tony Rutherford moved into a purely policy role after many months as chief of staff in my office. Kent Acott, who was my media adviser, moved into that role for many weeks in an acting capacity. He was then replaced earlier this year by Mr Eddie West, who was engaged in an acting capacity for three months. Currently Mr Jeremy Lee, who has been in my office almost since the beginning of this term of government, is acting in the role.
I am more than happy to answer the question. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Midland asked a question of the Minister for Education. I do not know that the member for Albany has asked the member for Wanneroo a question; neither has the member for Wanneroo asked a question of the member for Albany. I formally call the member for Wanneroo for the first time and the member for Albany for the second time. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am more than happy to answer the member for Midland’s question. (1)–(4) My first chief of staff was Tony Rutherford. I cannot remember the exact period he spent in that position, but, in fact, he is still in my office as a senior policy officer. It was at his request that he change his role from chief of staff to policy officer. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Did he keep the same wages, even though he no longer fills the role? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am not familiar with the salaries paid to each person in my office. Tony Rutherford moved into a purely policy role after many months as chief of staff in my office. Kent Acott, who was my media adviser, moved into that role for many weeks in an acting capacity. He was then replaced earlier this year by Mr Eddie West, who was engaged in an acting capacity for three months. Currently Mr Jeremy Lee, who has been in my office almost since the beginning of this term of government, is acting in the role.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Midland asked a question of the Minister for Education. I do not know that the member for Albany has asked the member for Wanneroo a question; neither has the member for Wanneroo asked a question of the member for Albany. I formally call the member for Wanneroo for the first time and the member for Albany for the second time. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am more than happy to answer the member for Midland’s question. (1)–(4) My first chief of staff was Tony Rutherford. I cannot remember the exact period he spent in that position, but, in fact, he is still in my office as a senior policy officer. It was at his request that he change his role from chief of staff to policy officer. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Did he keep the same wages, even though he no longer fills the role? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am not familiar with the salaries paid to each person in my office. Tony Rutherford moved into a purely policy role after many months as chief of staff in my office. Kent Acott, who was my media adviser, moved into that role for many weeks in an acting capacity. He was then replaced earlier this year by Mr Eddie West, who was engaged in an acting capacity for three months. Currently Mr Jeremy Lee, who has been in my office almost since the beginning of this term of government, is acting in the role.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. The member for Midland asked a question of the Minister for Education. I do not know that the member for Albany has asked the member for Wanneroo a question; neither has the member for Wanneroo asked a question of the member for Albany. I formally call the member for Wanneroo for the first time and the member for Albany for the second time. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am more than happy to answer the member for Midland’s question. (1)–(4) My first chief of staff was Tony Rutherford. I cannot remember the exact period he spent in that position, but, in fact, he is still in my office as a senior policy officer. It was at his request that he change his role from chief of staff to policy officer. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Did he keep the same wages, even though he no longer fills the role? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am not familiar with the salaries paid to each person in my office. Tony Rutherford moved into a purely policy role after many months as chief of staff in my office. Kent Acott, who was my media adviser, moved into that role for many weeks in an acting capacity. He was then replaced earlier this year by Mr Eddie West, who was engaged in an acting capacity for three months. Currently Mr Jeremy Lee, who has been in my office almost since the beginning of this term of government, is acting in the role.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am more than happy to answer the member for Midland’s question. (1)–(4) My first chief of staff was Tony Rutherford. I cannot remember the exact period he spent in that position, but, in fact, he is still in my office as a senior policy officer. It was at his request that he change his role from chief of staff to policy officer. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Did he keep the same wages, even though he no longer fills the role? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am not familiar with the salaries paid to each person in my office. Tony Rutherford moved into a purely policy role after many months as chief of staff in my office. Kent Acott, who was my media adviser, moved into that role for many weeks in an acting capacity. He was then replaced earlier this year by Mr Eddie West, who was engaged in an acting capacity for three months. Currently Mr Jeremy Lee, who has been in my office almost since the beginning of this term of government, is acting in the role.
(1)–(4) My first chief of staff was Tony Rutherford. I cannot remember the exact period he spent in that position, but, in fact, he is still in my office as a senior policy officer. It was at his request that he change his role from chief of staff to policy officer. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Did he keep the same wages, even though he no longer fills the role? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am not familiar with the salaries paid to each person in my office. Tony Rutherford moved into a purely policy role after many months as chief of staff in my office. Kent Acott, who was my media adviser, moved into that role for many weeks in an acting capacity. He was then replaced earlier this year by Mr Eddie West, who was engaged in an acting capacity for three months. Currently Mr Jeremy Lee, who has been in my office almost since the beginning of this term of government, is acting in the role.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : Did he keep the same wages, even though he no longer fills the role? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am not familiar with the salaries paid to each person in my office. Tony Rutherford moved into a purely policy role after many months as chief of staff in my office. Kent Acott, who was my media adviser, moved into that role for many weeks in an acting capacity. He was then replaced earlier this year by Mr Eddie West, who was engaged in an acting capacity for three months. Currently Mr Jeremy Lee, who has been in my office almost since the beginning of this term of government, is acting in the role.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : I am not familiar with the salaries paid to each person in my office. Tony Rutherford moved into a purely policy role after many months as chief of staff in my office. Kent Acott, who was my media adviser, moved into that role for many weeks in an acting capacity. He was then replaced earlier this year by Mr Eddie West, who was engaged in an acting capacity for three months. Currently Mr Jeremy Lee, who has been in my office almost since the beginning of this term of government, is acting in the role.
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.