❓ Mr. Cook questions the Premier regarding a potentially excessive resignation payout to Mr. Larsson, specifically asking if the Director General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet was questioned about it. The Premier deflects responsibility, citing reforms that delegated employment management to the Public Sector Commission.
AnsweredQoN 525Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
JAMES LARSSON —
RESIGNATION PAYOUT
525. Mr R.H. COOK to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Given it was not the Premier's
office that handled this matter, has the Premier asked the Director General of
the Department of the Premier and Cabinet why Mr Larsson was paid up to five
times his entitlement and, if so, what was his explanation?
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected.
RESIGNATION PAYOUT
525. Mr R.H. COOK to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Given it was not the Premier's
office that handled this matter, has the Premier asked the Director General of
the Department of the Premier and Cabinet why Mr Larsson was paid up to five
times his entitlement and, if so, what was his explanation?
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected.
AnswerView source ↗
You do not seem to grasp the simple situation.
Ms M.M. Quirk :
Aren't you running the show, Premier?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
No; I do not run the show.
Mr F.M. Logan : Who
does?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
She looks up to the media, ''Have I said something funny?''
Mr R.H. Cook :
Where does the buck stop?
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
will explain why I do not run the show. One of the first reforms of this
government, following the disastrous experience of the Labor years, was to take
the management of terms and conditions of employment of staff, whether they be
term-of-government or public servants, away from, if we like, the Premier, the
politician or the minister and divest it within the Public Sector Commission,
and that is what we have done.
Ms M.M. Quirk :
Aren't you running the show, Premier?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
No; I do not run the show.
Mr F.M. Logan : Who
does?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
She looks up to the media, ''Have I said something funny?''
Mr R.H. Cook :
Where does the buck stop?
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
will explain why I do not run the show. One of the first reforms of this
government, following the disastrous experience of the Labor years, was to take
the management of terms and conditions of employment of staff, whether they be
term-of-government or public servants, away from, if we like, the Premier, the
politician or the minister and divest it within the Public Sector Commission,
and that is what we have done.
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