❓ Opposition Leader McGowan questions the Minister for Corrective Services regarding the dismissal of Commissioner Ian Johnson, focusing on lack of meetings, decision-making process, and communication with the Public Sector Commissioner. The Minister's response outlines the reasons for the dismissal and refers part of the question to another minister.
AnsweredQoN 56Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
COMMISSIONER
OF CORRECTIVE SERVICES — RESIGNATION
56. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Minister for Corrective Services:
I refer to the dismissal of the Commissioner of Corrective
Services, Mr Ian Johnson.
(1) Why did
the minister not meet the former corrective services commissioner in the time
prior to his sacking?
(2) Who made
the decision to sack the commissioner and what were the grounds upon which he
was sacked?
(3) Who
informed the Public Sector Commissioner that Mr Johnson's services were
no longer required?
OF CORRECTIVE SERVICES — RESIGNATION
56. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Minister for Corrective Services:
I refer to the dismissal of the Commissioner of Corrective
Services, Mr Ian Johnson.
(1) Why did
the minister not meet the former corrective services commissioner in the time
prior to his sacking?
(2) Who made
the decision to sack the commissioner and what were the grounds upon which he
was sacked?
(3) Who
informed the Public Sector Commissioner that Mr Johnson's services were
no longer required?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
Leader of the Opposition for the question.
(1)–(3)
I have very simple answers. Firstly, I believe the former commissioner took his
four weeks' annual leave just a number of days before the new cabinet
was sworn in. As he was on leave for the first four weeks, I never had the
opportunity to meet him. Secondly, in that time I essentially did a cold-eyes
review of the department. I looked at a number of issues that I was concerned
about and the direction in which that department was travelling. In
consultation with my colleagues and government, we determined that we believed
the Department of Corrective Services needs to change direction on a number of
different issues. Thirdly, I was not in the room when the Public Sector
Commissioner had the conversation with Mr Ian Johnson, so I would suggest that
that question really needs to be directed to the minister for public sector
management.
Leader of the Opposition for the question.
(1)–(3)
I have very simple answers. Firstly, I believe the former commissioner took his
four weeks' annual leave just a number of days before the new cabinet
was sworn in. As he was on leave for the first four weeks, I never had the
opportunity to meet him. Secondly, in that time I essentially did a cold-eyes
review of the department. I looked at a number of issues that I was concerned
about and the direction in which that department was travelling. In
consultation with my colleagues and government, we determined that we believed
the Department of Corrective Services needs to change direction on a number of
different issues. Thirdly, I was not in the room when the Public Sector
Commissioner had the conversation with Mr Ian Johnson, so I would suggest that
that question really needs to be directed to the minister for public sector
management.
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