❓ Opposition Leader McGowan questions Premier Barnett about the Public Sector Commissioner's involvement in changes to the EPA's governance and alleges these changes jeopardized projects and were unlawful. The Premier denies knowledge and suggests a formal question on notice.
AnsweredQoN 672Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AUTHORITY — GOVERNANCE PRACTICES CHANGE
672. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Did the Public Sector
Commissioner have any involvement in the changes to the EPA governance
arrangements and will the Premier support an inquiry into how these projects
were jeopardised by these changes to governance arrangements, which were
contrary to law?
PROTECTION AUTHORITY — GOVERNANCE PRACTICES CHANGE
672. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Did the Public Sector
Commissioner have any involvement in the changes to the EPA governance
arrangements and will the Premier support an inquiry into how these projects
were jeopardised by these changes to governance arrangements, which were
contrary to law?
AnswerView source ↗
That is an assertion.
Mr M. McGowan :
That is why the act is coming in.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
As if I would know off the top of my head the details of every discussion the
Public Sector Commissioner may have had with the EPA or, indeed, the department
or anyone else. Bear in mind this government set up the Office of the
Environmental Protection Authority to ensure its true independence from
government—it is staffed independently of the department, following
correct procedures—just as we set up a Public Sector Commissioner
independent of the Premier or minister of the day.
Ms
R. Saffioti interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We did.
Ms
R. Saffioti : Oh, yeah—that's why you're acting
illegally!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
We acted illegally, according to the member for West Swan.
If the Leader of the Opposition genuinely wants information
relating to any discussions the Public Sector Commissioner may have had with
the EPA, which I assure members I was not at if they took place, I would
suggest he put it on notice.
Mr M. McGowan :
That is why the act is coming in.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
As if I would know off the top of my head the details of every discussion the
Public Sector Commissioner may have had with the EPA or, indeed, the department
or anyone else. Bear in mind this government set up the Office of the
Environmental Protection Authority to ensure its true independence from
government—it is staffed independently of the department, following
correct procedures—just as we set up a Public Sector Commissioner
independent of the Premier or minister of the day.
Ms
R. Saffioti interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We did.
Ms
R. Saffioti : Oh, yeah—that's why you're acting
illegally!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
We acted illegally, according to the member for West Swan.
If the Leader of the Opposition genuinely wants information
relating to any discussions the Public Sector Commissioner may have had with
the EPA, which I assure members I was not at if they took place, I would
suggest he put it on notice.
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