❓ Opposition questions Premier about potential conflict of interest regarding his Chief of Staff, Deidre Willmott, due to her husband's legal practice changes. Premier defends Willmott's integrity and explains measures to mitigate potential conflicts.
AnsweredQoN 927Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DEIDRE WILLMOTT — POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST
(1) Will the Premier detail the conflicts of interest that require Deidre Willmott to be removed from her position as his Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary to the government? (2) When was the Premier first made aware of these conflicts? (3) How can the Premier assure the house that these conflicts will not compromise Ms Willmott in her new position in his office? Mr C.J. BARNETT
(1) Will the Premier detail the conflicts of interest that require Deidre Willmott to be removed from her position as his Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary to the government? (2) When was the Premier first made aware of these conflicts? (3) How can the Premier assure the house that these conflicts will not compromise Ms Willmott in her new position in his office? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question because it gives me the opportunity to explain the situation. (1)-(3) First, I have the utmost confidence in the integrity and ability of Deidre Willmott as Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary. She is an outstanding person. I want to place that on the public record. In my view she is doing a brilliant job, both as Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff, and is assisting me on major projects. This is an important lesson for all of us. Deidre Willmott came to see me a little over two weeks ago—at the beginning of this month—and said to me that there were about to be some changes in her husband’s legal practice. He is a prominent, well-known Perth lawyer and has been working in areas that did not present any issues. However, and I think that some details have been released today, he is forming a different relationship with new partners coming into the business. Inevitably, they will bring with them their expertise and clients, which may involve matters in dealing with the state on contractual issues, probably particularly in the energy industry, and may be involved in litigation either on behalf of the state and its utilities or against it. This is the point: quite properly, with the highest level of integrity Deidre Willmott drew that to my attention virtually two months before that situation could even arise. These changes will not come into effect until January next year. She simply pointed out that in her role as Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary there may well be the potential for a perceived conflict of interest and she did not want to put the government in that position nor, indeed, her husband’s legal practice. I can think of nothing more proper than drawing that to my attention two months before the event. As a result, and those discussions are certainly continuing, it is intended that Deidre will continue to work for me on major projects. Mr E.S. Ripper : In the energy area? Mr C.J. BARNETT : She will work on major projects in the state and we are yet to conclude that. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : There isn’t much happening in the energy area, so it’s unlikely there’ll be conflicts of interest. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Gee whiz, the member for Armadale would not want to talk about conflicts of interest in this house. She would not want to go near that topic. I will conclude my comments: those discussions are still continuing. Deidre Willmott, all going to plan, will continue working on some major projects. One that has been identified is the Oakajee project. If any issues arise, they will be declared and made clear. I do not anticipate that they will, because she will work in some very clearly defined areas. I make it very clear that we are talking about potential conflicts of interest that may arise at a future time with partners of her husband, not even from her husband’s direct work. How careful can one be and how does that contrast with the performance of Labor in government?
(2) When was the Premier first made aware of these conflicts? (3) How can the Premier assure the house that these conflicts will not compromise Ms Willmott in her new position in his office? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question because it gives me the opportunity to explain the situation. (1)-(3) First, I have the utmost confidence in the integrity and ability of Deidre Willmott as Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary. She is an outstanding person. I want to place that on the public record. In my view she is doing a brilliant job, both as Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff, and is assisting me on major projects. This is an important lesson for all of us. Deidre Willmott came to see me a little over two weeks ago—at the beginning of this month—and said to me that there were about to be some changes in her husband’s legal practice. He is a prominent, well-known Perth lawyer and has been working in areas that did not present any issues. However, and I think that some details have been released today, he is forming a different relationship with new partners coming into the business. Inevitably, they will bring with them their expertise and clients, which may involve matters in dealing with the state on contractual issues, probably particularly in the energy industry, and may be involved in litigation either on behalf of the state and its utilities or against it. This is the point: quite properly, with the highest level of integrity Deidre Willmott drew that to my attention virtually two months before that situation could even arise. These changes will not come into effect until January next year. She simply pointed out that in her role as Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary there may well be the potential for a perceived conflict of interest and she did not want to put the government in that position nor, indeed, her husband’s legal practice. I can think of nothing more proper than drawing that to my attention two months before the event. As a result, and those discussions are certainly continuing, it is intended that Deidre will continue to work for me on major projects. Mr E.S. Ripper : In the energy area? Mr C.J. BARNETT : She will work on major projects in the state and we are yet to conclude that. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : There isn’t much happening in the energy area, so it’s unlikely there’ll be conflicts of interest. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Gee whiz, the member for Armadale would not want to talk about conflicts of interest in this house. She would not want to go near that topic. I will conclude my comments: those discussions are still continuing. Deidre Willmott, all going to plan, will continue working on some major projects. One that has been identified is the Oakajee project. If any issues arise, they will be declared and made clear. I do not anticipate that they will, because she will work in some very clearly defined areas. I make it very clear that we are talking about potential conflicts of interest that may arise at a future time with partners of her husband, not even from her husband’s direct work. How careful can one be and how does that contrast with the performance of Labor in government?
(3) How can the Premier assure the house that these conflicts will not compromise Ms Willmott in her new position in his office? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question because it gives me the opportunity to explain the situation. (1)-(3) First, I have the utmost confidence in the integrity and ability of Deidre Willmott as Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary. She is an outstanding person. I want to place that on the public record. In my view she is doing a brilliant job, both as Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff, and is assisting me on major projects. This is an important lesson for all of us. Deidre Willmott came to see me a little over two weeks ago—at the beginning of this month—and said to me that there were about to be some changes in her husband’s legal practice. He is a prominent, well-known Perth lawyer and has been working in areas that did not present any issues. However, and I think that some details have been released today, he is forming a different relationship with new partners coming into the business. Inevitably, they will bring with them their expertise and clients, which may involve matters in dealing with the state on contractual issues, probably particularly in the energy industry, and may be involved in litigation either on behalf of the state and its utilities or against it. This is the point: quite properly, with the highest level of integrity Deidre Willmott drew that to my attention virtually two months before that situation could even arise. These changes will not come into effect until January next year. She simply pointed out that in her role as Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary there may well be the potential for a perceived conflict of interest and she did not want to put the government in that position nor, indeed, her husband’s legal practice. I can think of nothing more proper than drawing that to my attention two months before the event. As a result, and those discussions are certainly continuing, it is intended that Deidre will continue to work for me on major projects. Mr E.S. Ripper : In the energy area? Mr C.J. BARNETT : She will work on major projects in the state and we are yet to conclude that. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : There isn’t much happening in the energy area, so it’s unlikely there’ll be conflicts of interest. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Gee whiz, the member for Armadale would not want to talk about conflicts of interest in this house. She would not want to go near that topic. I will conclude my comments: those discussions are still continuing. Deidre Willmott, all going to plan, will continue working on some major projects. One that has been identified is the Oakajee project. If any issues arise, they will be declared and made clear. I do not anticipate that they will, because she will work in some very clearly defined areas. I make it very clear that we are talking about potential conflicts of interest that may arise at a future time with partners of her husband, not even from her husband’s direct work. How careful can one be and how does that contrast with the performance of Labor in government?
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question because it gives me the opportunity to explain the situation. (1)-(3) First, I have the utmost confidence in the integrity and ability of Deidre Willmott as Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary. She is an outstanding person. I want to place that on the public record. In my view she is doing a brilliant job, both as Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff, and is assisting me on major projects. This is an important lesson for all of us. Deidre Willmott came to see me a little over two weeks ago—at the beginning of this month—and said to me that there were about to be some changes in her husband’s legal practice. He is a prominent, well-known Perth lawyer and has been working in areas that did not present any issues. However, and I think that some details have been released today, he is forming a different relationship with new partners coming into the business. Inevitably, they will bring with them their expertise and clients, which may involve matters in dealing with the state on contractual issues, probably particularly in the energy industry, and may be involved in litigation either on behalf of the state and its utilities or against it. This is the point: quite properly, with the highest level of integrity Deidre Willmott drew that to my attention virtually two months before that situation could even arise. These changes will not come into effect until January next year. She simply pointed out that in her role as Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary there may well be the potential for a perceived conflict of interest and she did not want to put the government in that position nor, indeed, her husband’s legal practice. I can think of nothing more proper than drawing that to my attention two months before the event. As a result, and those discussions are certainly continuing, it is intended that Deidre will continue to work for me on major projects. Mr E.S. Ripper : In the energy area? Mr C.J. BARNETT : She will work on major projects in the state and we are yet to conclude that. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : There isn’t much happening in the energy area, so it’s unlikely there’ll be conflicts of interest. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Gee whiz, the member for Armadale would not want to talk about conflicts of interest in this house. She would not want to go near that topic. I will conclude my comments: those discussions are still continuing. Deidre Willmott, all going to plan, will continue working on some major projects. One that has been identified is the Oakajee project. If any issues arise, they will be declared and made clear. I do not anticipate that they will, because she will work in some very clearly defined areas. I make it very clear that we are talking about potential conflicts of interest that may arise at a future time with partners of her husband, not even from her husband’s direct work. How careful can one be and how does that contrast with the performance of Labor in government?
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question because it gives me the opportunity to explain the situation. (1)-(3) First, I have the utmost confidence in the integrity and ability of Deidre Willmott as Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary. She is an outstanding person. I want to place that on the public record. In my view she is doing a brilliant job, both as Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff, and is assisting me on major projects. This is an important lesson for all of us. Deidre Willmott came to see me a little over two weeks ago—at the beginning of this month—and said to me that there were about to be some changes in her husband’s legal practice. He is a prominent, well-known Perth lawyer and has been working in areas that did not present any issues. However, and I think that some details have been released today, he is forming a different relationship with new partners coming into the business. Inevitably, they will bring with them their expertise and clients, which may involve matters in dealing with the state on contractual issues, probably particularly in the energy industry, and may be involved in litigation either on behalf of the state and its utilities or against it. This is the point: quite properly, with the highest level of integrity Deidre Willmott drew that to my attention virtually two months before that situation could even arise. These changes will not come into effect until January next year. She simply pointed out that in her role as Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary there may well be the potential for a perceived conflict of interest and she did not want to put the government in that position nor, indeed, her husband’s legal practice. I can think of nothing more proper than drawing that to my attention two months before the event. As a result, and those discussions are certainly continuing, it is intended that Deidre will continue to work for me on major projects. Mr E.S. Ripper : In the energy area? Mr C.J. BARNETT : She will work on major projects in the state and we are yet to conclude that. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : There isn’t much happening in the energy area, so it’s unlikely there’ll be conflicts of interest. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Gee whiz, the member for Armadale would not want to talk about conflicts of interest in this house. She would not want to go near that topic. I will conclude my comments: those discussions are still continuing. Deidre Willmott, all going to plan, will continue working on some major projects. One that has been identified is the Oakajee project. If any issues arise, they will be declared and made clear. I do not anticipate that they will, because she will work in some very clearly defined areas. I make it very clear that we are talking about potential conflicts of interest that may arise at a future time with partners of her husband, not even from her husband’s direct work. How careful can one be and how does that contrast with the performance of Labor in government?
(1)-(3) First, I have the utmost confidence in the integrity and ability of Deidre Willmott as Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary. She is an outstanding person. I want to place that on the public record. In my view she is doing a brilliant job, both as Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff, and is assisting me on major projects. This is an important lesson for all of us. Deidre Willmott came to see me a little over two weeks ago—at the beginning of this month—and said to me that there were about to be some changes in her husband’s legal practice. He is a prominent, well-known Perth lawyer and has been working in areas that did not present any issues. However, and I think that some details have been released today, he is forming a different relationship with new partners coming into the business. Inevitably, they will bring with them their expertise and clients, which may involve matters in dealing with the state on contractual issues, probably particularly in the energy industry, and may be involved in litigation either on behalf of the state and its utilities or against it. This is the point: quite properly, with the highest level of integrity Deidre Willmott drew that to my attention virtually two months before that situation could even arise. These changes will not come into effect until January next year. She simply pointed out that in her role as Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary there may well be the potential for a perceived conflict of interest and she did not want to put the government in that position nor, indeed, her husband’s legal practice. I can think of nothing more proper than drawing that to my attention two months before the event. As a result, and those discussions are certainly continuing, it is intended that Deidre will continue to work for me on major projects. Mr E.S. Ripper : In the energy area? Mr C.J. BARNETT : She will work on major projects in the state and we are yet to conclude that. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : There isn’t much happening in the energy area, so it’s unlikely there’ll be conflicts of interest. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Gee whiz, the member for Armadale would not want to talk about conflicts of interest in this house. She would not want to go near that topic. I will conclude my comments: those discussions are still continuing. Deidre Willmott, all going to plan, will continue working on some major projects. One that has been identified is the Oakajee project. If any issues arise, they will be declared and made clear. I do not anticipate that they will, because she will work in some very clearly defined areas. I make it very clear that we are talking about potential conflicts of interest that may arise at a future time with partners of her husband, not even from her husband’s direct work. How careful can one be and how does that contrast with the performance of Labor in government?
Mr C.J. BARNETT : She will work on major projects in the state and we are yet to conclude that. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : There isn’t much happening in the energy area, so it’s unlikely there’ll be conflicts of interest. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Gee whiz, the member for Armadale would not want to talk about conflicts of interest in this house. She would not want to go near that topic. I will conclude my comments: those discussions are still continuing. Deidre Willmott, all going to plan, will continue working on some major projects. One that has been identified is the Oakajee project. If any issues arise, they will be declared and made clear. I do not anticipate that they will, because she will work in some very clearly defined areas. I make it very clear that we are talking about potential conflicts of interest that may arise at a future time with partners of her husband, not even from her husband’s direct work. How careful can one be and how does that contrast with the performance of Labor in government?
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : There isn’t much happening in the energy area, so it’s unlikely there’ll be conflicts of interest. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Gee whiz, the member for Armadale would not want to talk about conflicts of interest in this house. She would not want to go near that topic. I will conclude my comments: those discussions are still continuing. Deidre Willmott, all going to plan, will continue working on some major projects. One that has been identified is the Oakajee project. If any issues arise, they will be declared and made clear. I do not anticipate that they will, because she will work in some very clearly defined areas. I make it very clear that we are talking about potential conflicts of interest that may arise at a future time with partners of her husband, not even from her husband’s direct work. How careful can one be and how does that contrast with the performance of Labor in government?
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Gee whiz, the member for Armadale would not want to talk about conflicts of interest in this house. She would not want to go near that topic. I will conclude my comments: those discussions are still continuing. Deidre Willmott, all going to plan, will continue working on some major projects. One that has been identified is the Oakajee project. If any issues arise, they will be declared and made clear. I do not anticipate that they will, because she will work in some very clearly defined areas. I make it very clear that we are talking about potential conflicts of interest that may arise at a future time with partners of her husband, not even from her husband’s direct work. How careful can one be and how does that contrast with the performance of Labor in government?
I will conclude my comments: those discussions are still continuing. Deidre Willmott, all going to plan, will continue working on some major projects. One that has been identified is the Oakajee project. If any issues arise, they will be declared and made clear. I do not anticipate that they will, because she will work in some very clearly defined areas. I make it very clear that we are talking about potential conflicts of interest that may arise at a future time with partners of her husband, not even from her husband’s direct work. How careful can one be and how does that contrast with the performance of Labor in government?
(2) When was the Premier first made aware of these conflicts? (3) How can the Premier assure the house that these conflicts will not compromise Ms Willmott in her new position in his office? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question because it gives me the opportunity to explain the situation. (1)-(3) First, I have the utmost confidence in the integrity and ability of Deidre Willmott as Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary. She is an outstanding person. I want to place that on the public record. In my view she is doing a brilliant job, both as Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff, and is assisting me on major projects. This is an important lesson for all of us. Deidre Willmott came to see me a little over two weeks ago—at the beginning of this month—and said to me that there were about to be some changes in her husband’s legal practice. He is a prominent, well-known Perth lawyer and has been working in areas that did not present any issues. However, and I think that some details have been released today, he is forming a different relationship with new partners coming into the business. Inevitably, they will bring with them their expertise and clients, which may involve matters in dealing with the state on contractual issues, probably particularly in the energy industry, and may be involved in litigation either on behalf of the state and its utilities or against it. This is the point: quite properly, with the highest level of integrity Deidre Willmott drew that to my attention virtually two months before that situation could even arise. These changes will not come into effect until January next year. She simply pointed out that in her role as Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary there may well be the potential for a perceived conflict of interest and she did not want to put the government in that position nor, indeed, her husband’s legal practice. I can think of nothing more proper than drawing that to my attention two months before the event. As a result, and those discussions are certainly continuing, it is intended that Deidre will continue to work for me on major projects. Mr E.S. Ripper : In the energy area? Mr C.J. BARNETT : She will work on major projects in the state and we are yet to conclude that. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : There isn’t much happening in the energy area, so it’s unlikely there’ll be conflicts of interest. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Gee whiz, the member for Armadale would not want to talk about conflicts of interest in this house. She would not want to go near that topic. I will conclude my comments: those discussions are still continuing. Deidre Willmott, all going to plan, will continue working on some major projects. One that has been identified is the Oakajee project. If any issues arise, they will be declared and made clear. I do not anticipate that they will, because she will work in some very clearly defined areas. I make it very clear that we are talking about potential conflicts of interest that may arise at a future time with partners of her husband, not even from her husband’s direct work. How careful can one be and how does that contrast with the performance of Labor in government?
(3) How can the Premier assure the house that these conflicts will not compromise Ms Willmott in her new position in his office? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question because it gives me the opportunity to explain the situation. (1)-(3) First, I have the utmost confidence in the integrity and ability of Deidre Willmott as Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary. She is an outstanding person. I want to place that on the public record. In my view she is doing a brilliant job, both as Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff, and is assisting me on major projects. This is an important lesson for all of us. Deidre Willmott came to see me a little over two weeks ago—at the beginning of this month—and said to me that there were about to be some changes in her husband’s legal practice. He is a prominent, well-known Perth lawyer and has been working in areas that did not present any issues. However, and I think that some details have been released today, he is forming a different relationship with new partners coming into the business. Inevitably, they will bring with them their expertise and clients, which may involve matters in dealing with the state on contractual issues, probably particularly in the energy industry, and may be involved in litigation either on behalf of the state and its utilities or against it. This is the point: quite properly, with the highest level of integrity Deidre Willmott drew that to my attention virtually two months before that situation could even arise. These changes will not come into effect until January next year. She simply pointed out that in her role as Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary there may well be the potential for a perceived conflict of interest and she did not want to put the government in that position nor, indeed, her husband’s legal practice. I can think of nothing more proper than drawing that to my attention two months before the event. As a result, and those discussions are certainly continuing, it is intended that Deidre will continue to work for me on major projects. Mr E.S. Ripper : In the energy area? Mr C.J. BARNETT : She will work on major projects in the state and we are yet to conclude that. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : There isn’t much happening in the energy area, so it’s unlikely there’ll be conflicts of interest. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Gee whiz, the member for Armadale would not want to talk about conflicts of interest in this house. She would not want to go near that topic. I will conclude my comments: those discussions are still continuing. Deidre Willmott, all going to plan, will continue working on some major projects. One that has been identified is the Oakajee project. If any issues arise, they will be declared and made clear. I do not anticipate that they will, because she will work in some very clearly defined areas. I make it very clear that we are talking about potential conflicts of interest that may arise at a future time with partners of her husband, not even from her husband’s direct work. How careful can one be and how does that contrast with the performance of Labor in government?
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question because it gives me the opportunity to explain the situation. (1)-(3) First, I have the utmost confidence in the integrity and ability of Deidre Willmott as Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary. She is an outstanding person. I want to place that on the public record. In my view she is doing a brilliant job, both as Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff, and is assisting me on major projects. This is an important lesson for all of us. Deidre Willmott came to see me a little over two weeks ago—at the beginning of this month—and said to me that there were about to be some changes in her husband’s legal practice. He is a prominent, well-known Perth lawyer and has been working in areas that did not present any issues. However, and I think that some details have been released today, he is forming a different relationship with new partners coming into the business. Inevitably, they will bring with them their expertise and clients, which may involve matters in dealing with the state on contractual issues, probably particularly in the energy industry, and may be involved in litigation either on behalf of the state and its utilities or against it. This is the point: quite properly, with the highest level of integrity Deidre Willmott drew that to my attention virtually two months before that situation could even arise. These changes will not come into effect until January next year. She simply pointed out that in her role as Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary there may well be the potential for a perceived conflict of interest and she did not want to put the government in that position nor, indeed, her husband’s legal practice. I can think of nothing more proper than drawing that to my attention two months before the event. As a result, and those discussions are certainly continuing, it is intended that Deidre will continue to work for me on major projects. Mr E.S. Ripper : In the energy area? Mr C.J. BARNETT : She will work on major projects in the state and we are yet to conclude that. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : There isn’t much happening in the energy area, so it’s unlikely there’ll be conflicts of interest. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Gee whiz, the member for Armadale would not want to talk about conflicts of interest in this house. She would not want to go near that topic. I will conclude my comments: those discussions are still continuing. Deidre Willmott, all going to plan, will continue working on some major projects. One that has been identified is the Oakajee project. If any issues arise, they will be declared and made clear. I do not anticipate that they will, because she will work in some very clearly defined areas. I make it very clear that we are talking about potential conflicts of interest that may arise at a future time with partners of her husband, not even from her husband’s direct work. How careful can one be and how does that contrast with the performance of Labor in government?
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question because it gives me the opportunity to explain the situation. (1)-(3) First, I have the utmost confidence in the integrity and ability of Deidre Willmott as Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary. She is an outstanding person. I want to place that on the public record. In my view she is doing a brilliant job, both as Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff, and is assisting me on major projects. This is an important lesson for all of us. Deidre Willmott came to see me a little over two weeks ago—at the beginning of this month—and said to me that there were about to be some changes in her husband’s legal practice. He is a prominent, well-known Perth lawyer and has been working in areas that did not present any issues. However, and I think that some details have been released today, he is forming a different relationship with new partners coming into the business. Inevitably, they will bring with them their expertise and clients, which may involve matters in dealing with the state on contractual issues, probably particularly in the energy industry, and may be involved in litigation either on behalf of the state and its utilities or against it. This is the point: quite properly, with the highest level of integrity Deidre Willmott drew that to my attention virtually two months before that situation could even arise. These changes will not come into effect until January next year. She simply pointed out that in her role as Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary there may well be the potential for a perceived conflict of interest and she did not want to put the government in that position nor, indeed, her husband’s legal practice. I can think of nothing more proper than drawing that to my attention two months before the event. As a result, and those discussions are certainly continuing, it is intended that Deidre will continue to work for me on major projects. Mr E.S. Ripper : In the energy area? Mr C.J. BARNETT : She will work on major projects in the state and we are yet to conclude that. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : There isn’t much happening in the energy area, so it’s unlikely there’ll be conflicts of interest. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Gee whiz, the member for Armadale would not want to talk about conflicts of interest in this house. She would not want to go near that topic. I will conclude my comments: those discussions are still continuing. Deidre Willmott, all going to plan, will continue working on some major projects. One that has been identified is the Oakajee project. If any issues arise, they will be declared and made clear. I do not anticipate that they will, because she will work in some very clearly defined areas. I make it very clear that we are talking about potential conflicts of interest that may arise at a future time with partners of her husband, not even from her husband’s direct work. How careful can one be and how does that contrast with the performance of Labor in government?
(1)-(3) First, I have the utmost confidence in the integrity and ability of Deidre Willmott as Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary. She is an outstanding person. I want to place that on the public record. In my view she is doing a brilliant job, both as Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff, and is assisting me on major projects. This is an important lesson for all of us. Deidre Willmott came to see me a little over two weeks ago—at the beginning of this month—and said to me that there were about to be some changes in her husband’s legal practice. He is a prominent, well-known Perth lawyer and has been working in areas that did not present any issues. However, and I think that some details have been released today, he is forming a different relationship with new partners coming into the business. Inevitably, they will bring with them their expertise and clients, which may involve matters in dealing with the state on contractual issues, probably particularly in the energy industry, and may be involved in litigation either on behalf of the state and its utilities or against it. This is the point: quite properly, with the highest level of integrity Deidre Willmott drew that to my attention virtually two months before that situation could even arise. These changes will not come into effect until January next year. She simply pointed out that in her role as Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary there may well be the potential for a perceived conflict of interest and she did not want to put the government in that position nor, indeed, her husband’s legal practice. I can think of nothing more proper than drawing that to my attention two months before the event. As a result, and those discussions are certainly continuing, it is intended that Deidre will continue to work for me on major projects. Mr E.S. Ripper : In the energy area? Mr C.J. BARNETT : She will work on major projects in the state and we are yet to conclude that. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : There isn’t much happening in the energy area, so it’s unlikely there’ll be conflicts of interest. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Gee whiz, the member for Armadale would not want to talk about conflicts of interest in this house. She would not want to go near that topic. I will conclude my comments: those discussions are still continuing. Deidre Willmott, all going to plan, will continue working on some major projects. One that has been identified is the Oakajee project. If any issues arise, they will be declared and made clear. I do not anticipate that they will, because she will work in some very clearly defined areas. I make it very clear that we are talking about potential conflicts of interest that may arise at a future time with partners of her husband, not even from her husband’s direct work. How careful can one be and how does that contrast with the performance of Labor in government?
Mr C.J. BARNETT : She will work on major projects in the state and we are yet to conclude that. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : There isn’t much happening in the energy area, so it’s unlikely there’ll be conflicts of interest. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Gee whiz, the member for Armadale would not want to talk about conflicts of interest in this house. She would not want to go near that topic. I will conclude my comments: those discussions are still continuing. Deidre Willmott, all going to plan, will continue working on some major projects. One that has been identified is the Oakajee project. If any issues arise, they will be declared and made clear. I do not anticipate that they will, because she will work in some very clearly defined areas. I make it very clear that we are talking about potential conflicts of interest that may arise at a future time with partners of her husband, not even from her husband’s direct work. How careful can one be and how does that contrast with the performance of Labor in government?
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : There isn’t much happening in the energy area, so it’s unlikely there’ll be conflicts of interest. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Gee whiz, the member for Armadale would not want to talk about conflicts of interest in this house. She would not want to go near that topic. I will conclude my comments: those discussions are still continuing. Deidre Willmott, all going to plan, will continue working on some major projects. One that has been identified is the Oakajee project. If any issues arise, they will be declared and made clear. I do not anticipate that they will, because she will work in some very clearly defined areas. I make it very clear that we are talking about potential conflicts of interest that may arise at a future time with partners of her husband, not even from her husband’s direct work. How careful can one be and how does that contrast with the performance of Labor in government?
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Gee whiz, the member for Armadale would not want to talk about conflicts of interest in this house. She would not want to go near that topic. I will conclude my comments: those discussions are still continuing. Deidre Willmott, all going to plan, will continue working on some major projects. One that has been identified is the Oakajee project. If any issues arise, they will be declared and made clear. I do not anticipate that they will, because she will work in some very clearly defined areas. I make it very clear that we are talking about potential conflicts of interest that may arise at a future time with partners of her husband, not even from her husband’s direct work. How careful can one be and how does that contrast with the performance of Labor in government?
I will conclude my comments: those discussions are still continuing. Deidre Willmott, all going to plan, will continue working on some major projects. One that has been identified is the Oakajee project. If any issues arise, they will be declared and made clear. I do not anticipate that they will, because she will work in some very clearly defined areas. I make it very clear that we are talking about potential conflicts of interest that may arise at a future time with partners of her husband, not even from her husband’s direct work. How careful can one be and how does that contrast with the performance of Labor in government?
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.