❓ Hon Simon O'Brien, on behalf of Hon Michael Mischin, questions the Minister for Transport regarding the alleged unauthorised acquisition and use of confidential PTA employee information by Andrew Forrester and the Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Union, pressing for a police investigation. The Minister responds that the matter was referred to the WA Police Force and subsequently the CCC, following normal protocol.
AnsweredQoN 240Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CORRUPTION AND CRIME COMMISSION — PUBLIC
TRANSPORT AUTHORITY —ANDREW FORRESTER
240. Hon SIMON O'BRIEN to the minister representing
the Minister for Transport:
This question stands in the name of Hon
Michael Mischin, who is away on urgent parliamentary business, so I ask it on
his behalf.
I refer to the answers by the
Minister for Transport and the Minister for Police regarding Andrew Forrester
and his passing of information held by the Public Transport Authority to the
Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Union for its use in industrial agreement
negotiations.
(1) Is the minister saying that to her knowledge that
no action has been taken to determine whether Mr Forrester or union
officers should be prosecuted over the unauthorised acquisition and use of
confidential personal information of some 1 750 PTA employees?
(2) What steps
has the minister taken to inform herself of the situation and the lack of
referral, or is she not concerned about this widespread, unauthorised and
wrongful breach of employee confidentiality?
(3) Given that
the Corruption and Crime Commission cannot itself commence prosecution action,
will the minister now take steps to ensure
that the matter is formally referred to the WA Police Force for investigation with a view to prosecution if a satisfactory case is made out; and, if not, why
not?
(4) Does the fact
that the personal information acquired by Mr Forrester was supplied to, and
used by, a union explain why the matter has
not been formally referred to the WA Police Force for investigation with a view to possible prosecution?
(5) If no to (4),
what is the reason and what is the minister going to do to remedy the
situation?
TRANSPORT AUTHORITY —ANDREW FORRESTER
240. Hon SIMON O'BRIEN to the minister representing
the Minister for Transport:
This question stands in the name of Hon
Michael Mischin, who is away on urgent parliamentary business, so I ask it on
his behalf.
I refer to the answers by the
Minister for Transport and the Minister for Police regarding Andrew Forrester
and his passing of information held by the Public Transport Authority to the
Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Union for its use in industrial agreement
negotiations.
(1) Is the minister saying that to her knowledge that
no action has been taken to determine whether Mr Forrester or union
officers should be prosecuted over the unauthorised acquisition and use of
confidential personal information of some 1 750 PTA employees?
(2) What steps
has the minister taken to inform herself of the situation and the lack of
referral, or is she not concerned about this widespread, unauthorised and
wrongful breach of employee confidentiality?
(3) Given that
the Corruption and Crime Commission cannot itself commence prosecution action,
will the minister now take steps to ensure
that the matter is formally referred to the WA Police Force for investigation with a view to prosecution if a satisfactory case is made out; and, if not, why
not?
(4) Does the fact
that the personal information acquired by Mr Forrester was supplied to, and
used by, a union explain why the matter has
not been formally referred to the WA Police Force for investigation with a view to possible prosecution?
(5) If no to (4),
what is the reason and what is the minister going to do to remedy the
situation?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The minister
is advised that the Public Transport Authority alerted the WA Police Force
about this matter, and the matter was ultimately referred to the Corruption and
Crime Commission for its investigation and action.
This follows the normal protocol between the PTA, WAPOL and the CCC. WAPOL acts
independently of the Minister
for Transport, and it is its prerogative as to which matters it chooses to
investigate.
(2)–(5) Not
applicable.
some notice of the question.
(1) The minister
is advised that the Public Transport Authority alerted the WA Police Force
about this matter, and the matter was ultimately referred to the Corruption and
Crime Commission for its investigation and action.
This follows the normal protocol between the PTA, WAPOL and the CCC. WAPOL acts
independently of the Minister
for Transport, and it is its prerogative as to which matters it chooses to
investigate.
(2)–(5) Not
applicable.
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