❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks clarification on the appointment of a COVID-19 Vaccine Commander, including powers, costs, and consultation processes. The government's response provides details on the rationale, responsibilities, and financial implications of the appointment.
AnsweredQoN 264Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) I refer to the media statement issued on 24 August 2021 titled "New WA COVID-19 Vaccine Commander appointed for WA" and I ask, why was it necessary to appoint a Vaccine Commander to manage WA's COVID-19 vaccine rollout? (2) What powers will the Vaccine Commander hold which the Chief Health Officer does not already hold? (3) Will the Vaccine Commander be able to authorise mandatory vaccinations? (4) What additional costs are entailed by the appointment of the Vaccine Commander and the Vaccination Strategic Coordination Group? (5) Who are the members of the Vaccination Strategic Coordination Group? (6) How often will the Vaccination Strategic Coordination Group meet? (7) Please table any agendas, minutes, reports, or findings of the Vaccination Strategic Coordination Group to date? (8) Please table any advice, feedback, or guidance from your consultation with the Chief Health Officer in relation to the appointment of the Vaccine Commander? (9) Please table any advice, feedback, or guidance from your consultation with the Public Sector Commissioner in relation to the appointment of the Vaccine Commander? (10) What statutory responsibilities will Commissioner Dawson retain in regard to his role as Police Commissioner? (11) Will Deputy Commissioner Col Blanch receive any enhanced remuneration as a result of undertaking the day-to-day duties of Police Commissioner and, if so, please detail.?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 October 2021
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Premier
Response time
11 days
(1) WA needs to significantly increase the scale and pace of its vaccination program as eligibility is expanded and additional vaccine supply is secured. The role of COVID-19 Vaccine Commander was established to lead and drive the State’s COVID-19 vaccination program, so that 80 per cent of the eligible population can be vaccinated by the end of 2021. The appointment of a person with overarching responsibility to lead whole-of-State vaccine delivery is in line with approaches taken by other jurisdictions.
(2) The Vaccine Commander retains the statutory powers of State Emergency Coordinator that he has exercised in management of the current emergency.
(3) No. Only the Chief Health Officer has a statutory power to require vaccination.
(4) Any costs or resourcing implications will be met within existing budgets.
(5) Membership of the Vaccination Strategic Coordination Group (VSCG) will comprise the Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (chair); the Director General of the Department of Health; the Chief Health Officer; and the COVID-19 Vaccine Commander.
(6) Weekly.
(7) See tabled paper [x].
(8) The appointment of the Vaccine Commander was made by Cabinet. Consultation with the Chief Health Officer was undertaken to inform Cabinet deliberations and is Cabinet in Confidence.
(9) The appointment of the Vaccine Commander was made by Cabinet. Consultation with the Public Sector Commissioner was undertaken to inform Cabinet deliberations and is Cabinet in Confidence.
(10) Commissioner Dawson will continue to perform any functions that he is required to exercise personally under the Police Act 1982 and will otherwise be supported in the performance of his role by his Deputies, in particular, Deputy Commissioner Blanch.
(11) Deputy Commissioner Blanch is being remunerated to the rank of Commissioner whilst undertaking the day-to-day duties of Police Commissioner. The additional remuneration commenced on Monday 23 August 2021, the date of the Cabinet Decision appointing Commissioner Dawson as the COVID-19 Vaccine Commander, and will continue until 31 December 2021.
(2) The Vaccine Commander retains the statutory powers of State Emergency Coordinator that he has exercised in management of the current emergency.
(3) No. Only the Chief Health Officer has a statutory power to require vaccination.
(4) Any costs or resourcing implications will be met within existing budgets.
(5) Membership of the Vaccination Strategic Coordination Group (VSCG) will comprise the Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (chair); the Director General of the Department of Health; the Chief Health Officer; and the COVID-19 Vaccine Commander.
(6) Weekly.
(7) See tabled paper [x].
(8) The appointment of the Vaccine Commander was made by Cabinet. Consultation with the Chief Health Officer was undertaken to inform Cabinet deliberations and is Cabinet in Confidence.
(9) The appointment of the Vaccine Commander was made by Cabinet. Consultation with the Public Sector Commissioner was undertaken to inform Cabinet deliberations and is Cabinet in Confidence.
(10) Commissioner Dawson will continue to perform any functions that he is required to exercise personally under the Police Act 1982 and will otherwise be supported in the performance of his role by his Deputies, in particular, Deputy Commissioner Blanch.
(11) Deputy Commissioner Blanch is being remunerated to the rank of Commissioner whilst undertaking the day-to-day duties of Police Commissioner. The additional remuneration commenced on Monday 23 August 2021, the date of the Cabinet Decision appointing Commissioner Dawson as the COVID-19 Vaccine Commander, and will continue until 31 December 2021.
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