❓ Question regarding the closure of the Department of Indigenous Affairs office in Halls Creek, its impact, and potential re-establishment. The Minister defends the closure, citing Aboriginal leader advice, and highlights the continued presence of a DIA-funded employee.
AnsweredQoN 70Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
HALLS CREEK - CLOSURE OF DEPARTMENT OF INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS OFFICE
I refer to the government’s 2003 decision to close the Department of Indigenous Affairs office in Halls Creek because the government considered that it was not the appropriate model. (1) Can the minister confirm her comments on ABC radio this morning that this office was not replaced and that only one staff member from the Department of Indigenous Affairs was relocated to Halls Creek just a few weeks ago? (2) Does the minister acknowledge that the decision to close this office contributed to the deteriorating situation in Halls Creek? (3) Did the minister commit to re-establish this office during her visit to Halls Creek yesterday? Ms S.M. McHALE
I refer to the government’s 2003 decision to close the Department of Indigenous Affairs office in Halls Creek because the government considered that it was not the appropriate model. (1) Can the minister confirm her comments on ABC radio this morning that this office was not replaced and that only one staff member from the Department of Indigenous Affairs was relocated to Halls Creek just a few weeks ago? (2) Does the minister acknowledge that the decision to close this office contributed to the deteriorating situation in Halls Creek? (3) Did the minister commit to re-establish this office during her visit to Halls Creek yesterday? Ms S.M. McHALE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for his question. (1)-(3) On radio this morning I indicated that the decision of the Premier to close the office at that time was based on advice by some Aboriginal leaders, and it was a correct decision. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I also said this morning that we have a position in Halls Creek called the place manager, which is the Gordon position. The house also needs to be aware that although the office was officially closed, the person who was employed by DIA continued to be employed and was outposted - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I am sure that some members to my left do not wish the minister to answer the question. That will not happen; she will be given the opportunity to answer. I call to order the member for Nedlands and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
(1) Can the minister confirm her comments on ABC radio this morning that this office was not replaced and that only one staff member from the Department of Indigenous Affairs was relocated to Halls Creek just a few weeks ago? (2) Does the minister acknowledge that the decision to close this office contributed to the deteriorating situation in Halls Creek? (3) Did the minister commit to re-establish this office during her visit to Halls Creek yesterday? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)-(3) On radio this morning I indicated that the decision of the Premier to close the office at that time was based on advice by some Aboriginal leaders, and it was a correct decision. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I also said this morning that we have a position in Halls Creek called the place manager, which is the Gordon position. The house also needs to be aware that although the office was officially closed, the person who was employed by DIA continued to be employed and was outposted - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I am sure that some members to my left do not wish the minister to answer the question. That will not happen; she will be given the opportunity to answer. I call to order the member for Nedlands and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
(2) Does the minister acknowledge that the decision to close this office contributed to the deteriorating situation in Halls Creek? (3) Did the minister commit to re-establish this office during her visit to Halls Creek yesterday? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)-(3) On radio this morning I indicated that the decision of the Premier to close the office at that time was based on advice by some Aboriginal leaders, and it was a correct decision. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I also said this morning that we have a position in Halls Creek called the place manager, which is the Gordon position. The house also needs to be aware that although the office was officially closed, the person who was employed by DIA continued to be employed and was outposted - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I am sure that some members to my left do not wish the minister to answer the question. That will not happen; she will be given the opportunity to answer. I call to order the member for Nedlands and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
(3) Did the minister commit to re-establish this office during her visit to Halls Creek yesterday? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)-(3) On radio this morning I indicated that the decision of the Premier to close the office at that time was based on advice by some Aboriginal leaders, and it was a correct decision. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I also said this morning that we have a position in Halls Creek called the place manager, which is the Gordon position. The house also needs to be aware that although the office was officially closed, the person who was employed by DIA continued to be employed and was outposted - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I am sure that some members to my left do not wish the minister to answer the question. That will not happen; she will be given the opportunity to answer. I call to order the member for Nedlands and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)-(3) On radio this morning I indicated that the decision of the Premier to close the office at that time was based on advice by some Aboriginal leaders, and it was a correct decision. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I also said this morning that we have a position in Halls Creek called the place manager, which is the Gordon position. The house also needs to be aware that although the office was officially closed, the person who was employed by DIA continued to be employed and was outposted - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I am sure that some members to my left do not wish the minister to answer the question. That will not happen; she will be given the opportunity to answer. I call to order the member for Nedlands and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
I thank the member for his question. (1)-(3) On radio this morning I indicated that the decision of the Premier to close the office at that time was based on advice by some Aboriginal leaders, and it was a correct decision. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I also said this morning that we have a position in Halls Creek called the place manager, which is the Gordon position. The house also needs to be aware that although the office was officially closed, the person who was employed by DIA continued to be employed and was outposted - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I am sure that some members to my left do not wish the minister to answer the question. That will not happen; she will be given the opportunity to answer. I call to order the member for Nedlands and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
(1)-(3) On radio this morning I indicated that the decision of the Premier to close the office at that time was based on advice by some Aboriginal leaders, and it was a correct decision. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I also said this morning that we have a position in Halls Creek called the place manager, which is the Gordon position. The house also needs to be aware that although the office was officially closed, the person who was employed by DIA continued to be employed and was outposted - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I am sure that some members to my left do not wish the minister to answer the question. That will not happen; she will be given the opportunity to answer. I call to order the member for Nedlands and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I also said this morning that we have a position in Halls Creek called the place manager, which is the Gordon position. The house also needs to be aware that although the office was officially closed, the person who was employed by DIA continued to be employed and was outposted - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I am sure that some members to my left do not wish the minister to answer the question. That will not happen; she will be given the opportunity to answer. I call to order the member for Nedlands and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I also said this morning that we have a position in Halls Creek called the place manager, which is the Gordon position. The house also needs to be aware that although the office was officially closed, the person who was employed by DIA continued to be employed and was outposted - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I am sure that some members to my left do not wish the minister to answer the question. That will not happen; she will be given the opportunity to answer. I call to order the member for Nedlands and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
Ms S.M. McHALE : I also said this morning that we have a position in Halls Creek called the place manager, which is the Gordon position. The house also needs to be aware that although the office was officially closed, the person who was employed by DIA continued to be employed and was outposted - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I am sure that some members to my left do not wish the minister to answer the question. That will not happen; she will be given the opportunity to answer. I call to order the member for Nedlands and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I am sure that some members to my left do not wish the minister to answer the question. That will not happen; she will be given the opportunity to answer. I call to order the member for Nedlands and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! I am sure that some members to my left do not wish the minister to answer the question. That will not happen; she will be given the opportunity to answer. I call to order the member for Nedlands and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
(1) Can the minister confirm her comments on ABC radio this morning that this office was not replaced and that only one staff member from the Department of Indigenous Affairs was relocated to Halls Creek just a few weeks ago? (2) Does the minister acknowledge that the decision to close this office contributed to the deteriorating situation in Halls Creek? (3) Did the minister commit to re-establish this office during her visit to Halls Creek yesterday? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)-(3) On radio this morning I indicated that the decision of the Premier to close the office at that time was based on advice by some Aboriginal leaders, and it was a correct decision. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I also said this morning that we have a position in Halls Creek called the place manager, which is the Gordon position. The house also needs to be aware that although the office was officially closed, the person who was employed by DIA continued to be employed and was outposted - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I am sure that some members to my left do not wish the minister to answer the question. That will not happen; she will be given the opportunity to answer. I call to order the member for Nedlands and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
(2) Does the minister acknowledge that the decision to close this office contributed to the deteriorating situation in Halls Creek? (3) Did the minister commit to re-establish this office during her visit to Halls Creek yesterday? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)-(3) On radio this morning I indicated that the decision of the Premier to close the office at that time was based on advice by some Aboriginal leaders, and it was a correct decision. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I also said this morning that we have a position in Halls Creek called the place manager, which is the Gordon position. The house also needs to be aware that although the office was officially closed, the person who was employed by DIA continued to be employed and was outposted - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I am sure that some members to my left do not wish the minister to answer the question. That will not happen; she will be given the opportunity to answer. I call to order the member for Nedlands and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
(3) Did the minister commit to re-establish this office during her visit to Halls Creek yesterday? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)-(3) On radio this morning I indicated that the decision of the Premier to close the office at that time was based on advice by some Aboriginal leaders, and it was a correct decision. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I also said this morning that we have a position in Halls Creek called the place manager, which is the Gordon position. The house also needs to be aware that although the office was officially closed, the person who was employed by DIA continued to be employed and was outposted - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I am sure that some members to my left do not wish the minister to answer the question. That will not happen; she will be given the opportunity to answer. I call to order the member for Nedlands and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. (1)-(3) On radio this morning I indicated that the decision of the Premier to close the office at that time was based on advice by some Aboriginal leaders, and it was a correct decision. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I also said this morning that we have a position in Halls Creek called the place manager, which is the Gordon position. The house also needs to be aware that although the office was officially closed, the person who was employed by DIA continued to be employed and was outposted - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I am sure that some members to my left do not wish the minister to answer the question. That will not happen; she will be given the opportunity to answer. I call to order the member for Nedlands and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
I thank the member for his question. (1)-(3) On radio this morning I indicated that the decision of the Premier to close the office at that time was based on advice by some Aboriginal leaders, and it was a correct decision. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I also said this morning that we have a position in Halls Creek called the place manager, which is the Gordon position. The house also needs to be aware that although the office was officially closed, the person who was employed by DIA continued to be employed and was outposted - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I am sure that some members to my left do not wish the minister to answer the question. That will not happen; she will be given the opportunity to answer. I call to order the member for Nedlands and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
(1)-(3) On radio this morning I indicated that the decision of the Premier to close the office at that time was based on advice by some Aboriginal leaders, and it was a correct decision. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I also said this morning that we have a position in Halls Creek called the place manager, which is the Gordon position. The house also needs to be aware that although the office was officially closed, the person who was employed by DIA continued to be employed and was outposted - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I am sure that some members to my left do not wish the minister to answer the question. That will not happen; she will be given the opportunity to answer. I call to order the member for Nedlands and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I also said this morning that we have a position in Halls Creek called the place manager, which is the Gordon position. The house also needs to be aware that although the office was officially closed, the person who was employed by DIA continued to be employed and was outposted - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I am sure that some members to my left do not wish the minister to answer the question. That will not happen; she will be given the opportunity to answer. I call to order the member for Nedlands and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE : I also said this morning that we have a position in Halls Creek called the place manager, which is the Gordon position. The house also needs to be aware that although the office was officially closed, the person who was employed by DIA continued to be employed and was outposted - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I am sure that some members to my left do not wish the minister to answer the question. That will not happen; she will be given the opportunity to answer. I call to order the member for Nedlands and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
Ms S.M. McHALE : I also said this morning that we have a position in Halls Creek called the place manager, which is the Gordon position. The house also needs to be aware that although the office was officially closed, the person who was employed by DIA continued to be employed and was outposted - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I am sure that some members to my left do not wish the minister to answer the question. That will not happen; she will be given the opportunity to answer. I call to order the member for Nedlands and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I am sure that some members to my left do not wish the minister to answer the question. That will not happen; she will be given the opportunity to answer. I call to order the member for Nedlands and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! I am sure that some members to my left do not wish the minister to answer the question. That will not happen; she will be given the opportunity to answer. I call to order the member for Nedlands and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
Ms S.M. McHALE : The person continued to be employed and was outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek. He is still employed and paid for by DIA and outposted to the Shire of Halls Creek.
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