❓ A parliamentary question addresses allegations of disrespectful treatment towards the outgoing chairman of Healthway. The response refutes the allegations, outlining the communication and appreciation shown to the former chairman.
AnsweredQoN 18Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Premier’s press release of 17 December 2003 announcing the new chairman of Healthway and to that of the Australian Medical Association of 19 December 2003 - see http://www.ama.wa.com.au/media/release 2003 12 19.asp dealing with the Chairman of Healthway, in which it is said that the Premier’s office - I think the Premier signed the letter himself - notified Mr Della-Polina at the last moment of his replacement as Chairman of Healthway without thanks and without giving him time to chair a last meeting to hand over and farewell. (1) Is this correct? (2) Does the Premier accept this is shabby behaviour by his Government? (3) Is this the standard procedure in the Gallop Government? (4) If not, what action has been taken or what action will the Premier take to apologise and ensure there is no repetition? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
(1) No. I will add to the answer having familiarised myself with the issue. We all need to take what the AMA says with a pinch of salt if that in itself is not a health risk! By raising this issue the AMA has caused great embarrassment to Mr Della-Polina. The facts are as follows - Mr Della-Polina had served three terms as chairman of Healthway totalling nine years. He was aware that his term had expired and had discussed this issue with the Minister for Health. Mr Della-Polina volunteered to continue to chair the Healthway board until a replacement was identified and appointed. In September 2003, the Minister for Health advised Mr Della-Polina via Healthway that a replacement as chair of the Healthway board was being actively pursued. At the end of November 2003, Mr Della-Polina was advised verbally that a replacement chair had been identified. This was confirmed in writing by advice to Mr Della-Polina from the Minister for Health on 10 December 2003 in which Mr Della-Polina was thanked for his contribution as chair of the Healthway board. Healthway board members were subsequently notified. The Premier has the highest regard for Mr Della-Polina and thanks him for the excellent contribution he has made to the work of Healthway. (2) No. (3)-(4) Not applicable.
(1) Is this correct? (2) Does the Premier accept this is shabby behaviour by his Government? (3) Is this the standard procedure in the Gallop Government? (4) If not, what action has been taken or what action will the Premier take to apologise and ensure there is no repetition? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : (1) No. I will add to the answer having familiarised myself with the issue. We all need to take what the AMA says with a pinch of salt if that in itself is not a health risk! By raising this issue the AMA has caused great embarrassment to Mr Della-Polina. The facts are as follows - Mr Della-Polina had served three terms as chairman of Healthway totalling nine years. He was aware that his term had expired and had discussed this issue with the Minister for Health. Mr Della-Polina volunteered to continue to chair the Healthway board until a replacement was identified and appointed. In September 2003, the Minister for Health advised Mr Della-Polina via Healthway that a replacement as chair of the Healthway board was being actively pursued. At the end of November 2003, Mr Della-Polina was advised verbally that a replacement chair had been identified. This was confirmed in writing by advice to Mr Della-Polina from the Minister for Health on 10 December 2003 in which Mr Della-Polina was thanked for his contribution as chair of the Healthway board. Healthway board members were subsequently notified. The Premier has the highest regard for Mr Della-Polina and thanks him for the excellent contribution he has made to the work of Healthway. (2) No. (3)-(4) Not applicable.
(2) Does the Premier accept this is shabby behaviour by his Government? (3) Is this the standard procedure in the Gallop Government? (4) If not, what action has been taken or what action will the Premier take to apologise and ensure there is no repetition? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : (1) No. I will add to the answer having familiarised myself with the issue. We all need to take what the AMA says with a pinch of salt if that in itself is not a health risk! By raising this issue the AMA has caused great embarrassment to Mr Della-Polina. The facts are as follows - Mr Della-Polina had served three terms as chairman of Healthway totalling nine years. He was aware that his term had expired and had discussed this issue with the Minister for Health. Mr Della-Polina volunteered to continue to chair the Healthway board until a replacement was identified and appointed. In September 2003, the Minister for Health advised Mr Della-Polina via Healthway that a replacement as chair of the Healthway board was being actively pursued. At the end of November 2003, Mr Della-Polina was advised verbally that a replacement chair had been identified. This was confirmed in writing by advice to Mr Della-Polina from the Minister for Health on 10 December 2003 in which Mr Della-Polina was thanked for his contribution as chair of the Healthway board. Healthway board members were subsequently notified. The Premier has the highest regard for Mr Della-Polina and thanks him for the excellent contribution he has made to the work of Healthway. (2) No. (3)-(4) Not applicable.
(3) Is this the standard procedure in the Gallop Government? (4) If not, what action has been taken or what action will the Premier take to apologise and ensure there is no repetition? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : (1) No. I will add to the answer having familiarised myself with the issue. We all need to take what the AMA says with a pinch of salt if that in itself is not a health risk! By raising this issue the AMA has caused great embarrassment to Mr Della-Polina. The facts are as follows - Mr Della-Polina had served three terms as chairman of Healthway totalling nine years. He was aware that his term had expired and had discussed this issue with the Minister for Health. Mr Della-Polina volunteered to continue to chair the Healthway board until a replacement was identified and appointed. In September 2003, the Minister for Health advised Mr Della-Polina via Healthway that a replacement as chair of the Healthway board was being actively pursued. At the end of November 2003, Mr Della-Polina was advised verbally that a replacement chair had been identified. This was confirmed in writing by advice to Mr Della-Polina from the Minister for Health on 10 December 2003 in which Mr Della-Polina was thanked for his contribution as chair of the Healthway board. Healthway board members were subsequently notified. The Premier has the highest regard for Mr Della-Polina and thanks him for the excellent contribution he has made to the work of Healthway. (2) No. (3)-(4) Not applicable.
(4) If not, what action has been taken or what action will the Premier take to apologise and ensure there is no repetition? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : (1) No. I will add to the answer having familiarised myself with the issue. We all need to take what the AMA says with a pinch of salt if that in itself is not a health risk! By raising this issue the AMA has caused great embarrassment to Mr Della-Polina. The facts are as follows - Mr Della-Polina had served three terms as chairman of Healthway totalling nine years. He was aware that his term had expired and had discussed this issue with the Minister for Health. Mr Della-Polina volunteered to continue to chair the Healthway board until a replacement was identified and appointed. In September 2003, the Minister for Health advised Mr Della-Polina via Healthway that a replacement as chair of the Healthway board was being actively pursued. At the end of November 2003, Mr Della-Polina was advised verbally that a replacement chair had been identified. This was confirmed in writing by advice to Mr Della-Polina from the Minister for Health on 10 December 2003 in which Mr Della-Polina was thanked for his contribution as chair of the Healthway board. Healthway board members were subsequently notified. The Premier has the highest regard for Mr Della-Polina and thanks him for the excellent contribution he has made to the work of Healthway. (2) No. (3)-(4) Not applicable.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied : (1) No. I will add to the answer having familiarised myself with the issue. We all need to take what the AMA says with a pinch of salt if that in itself is not a health risk! By raising this issue the AMA has caused great embarrassment to Mr Della-Polina. The facts are as follows - Mr Della-Polina had served three terms as chairman of Healthway totalling nine years. He was aware that his term had expired and had discussed this issue with the Minister for Health. Mr Della-Polina volunteered to continue to chair the Healthway board until a replacement was identified and appointed. In September 2003, the Minister for Health advised Mr Della-Polina via Healthway that a replacement as chair of the Healthway board was being actively pursued. At the end of November 2003, Mr Della-Polina was advised verbally that a replacement chair had been identified. This was confirmed in writing by advice to Mr Della-Polina from the Minister for Health on 10 December 2003 in which Mr Della-Polina was thanked for his contribution as chair of the Healthway board. Healthway board members were subsequently notified. The Premier has the highest regard for Mr Della-Polina and thanks him for the excellent contribution he has made to the work of Healthway. (2) No. (3)-(4) Not applicable.
(1) No. I will add to the answer having familiarised myself with the issue. We all need to take what the AMA says with a pinch of salt if that in itself is not a health risk! By raising this issue the AMA has caused great embarrassment to Mr Della-Polina. The facts are as follows - Mr Della-Polina had served three terms as chairman of Healthway totalling nine years. He was aware that his term had expired and had discussed this issue with the Minister for Health. Mr Della-Polina volunteered to continue to chair the Healthway board until a replacement was identified and appointed. In September 2003, the Minister for Health advised Mr Della-Polina via Healthway that a replacement as chair of the Healthway board was being actively pursued. At the end of November 2003, Mr Della-Polina was advised verbally that a replacement chair had been identified. This was confirmed in writing by advice to Mr Della-Polina from the Minister for Health on 10 December 2003 in which Mr Della-Polina was thanked for his contribution as chair of the Healthway board. Healthway board members were subsequently notified. The Premier has the highest regard for Mr Della-Polina and thanks him for the excellent contribution he has made to the work of Healthway. (2) No. (3)-(4) Not applicable.
(3)-(4) Not applicable.
(1) Is this correct? (2) Does the Premier accept this is shabby behaviour by his Government? (3) Is this the standard procedure in the Gallop Government? (4) If not, what action has been taken or what action will the Premier take to apologise and ensure there is no repetition? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : (1) No. I will add to the answer having familiarised myself with the issue. We all need to take what the AMA says with a pinch of salt if that in itself is not a health risk! By raising this issue the AMA has caused great embarrassment to Mr Della-Polina. The facts are as follows - Mr Della-Polina had served three terms as chairman of Healthway totalling nine years. He was aware that his term had expired and had discussed this issue with the Minister for Health. Mr Della-Polina volunteered to continue to chair the Healthway board until a replacement was identified and appointed. In September 2003, the Minister for Health advised Mr Della-Polina via Healthway that a replacement as chair of the Healthway board was being actively pursued. At the end of November 2003, Mr Della-Polina was advised verbally that a replacement chair had been identified. This was confirmed in writing by advice to Mr Della-Polina from the Minister for Health on 10 December 2003 in which Mr Della-Polina was thanked for his contribution as chair of the Healthway board. Healthway board members were subsequently notified. The Premier has the highest regard for Mr Della-Polina and thanks him for the excellent contribution he has made to the work of Healthway. (2) No. (3)-(4) Not applicable.
(2) Does the Premier accept this is shabby behaviour by his Government? (3) Is this the standard procedure in the Gallop Government? (4) If not, what action has been taken or what action will the Premier take to apologise and ensure there is no repetition? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : (1) No. I will add to the answer having familiarised myself with the issue. We all need to take what the AMA says with a pinch of salt if that in itself is not a health risk! By raising this issue the AMA has caused great embarrassment to Mr Della-Polina. The facts are as follows - Mr Della-Polina had served three terms as chairman of Healthway totalling nine years. He was aware that his term had expired and had discussed this issue with the Minister for Health. Mr Della-Polina volunteered to continue to chair the Healthway board until a replacement was identified and appointed. In September 2003, the Minister for Health advised Mr Della-Polina via Healthway that a replacement as chair of the Healthway board was being actively pursued. At the end of November 2003, Mr Della-Polina was advised verbally that a replacement chair had been identified. This was confirmed in writing by advice to Mr Della-Polina from the Minister for Health on 10 December 2003 in which Mr Della-Polina was thanked for his contribution as chair of the Healthway board. Healthway board members were subsequently notified. The Premier has the highest regard for Mr Della-Polina and thanks him for the excellent contribution he has made to the work of Healthway. (2) No. (3)-(4) Not applicable.
(3) Is this the standard procedure in the Gallop Government? (4) If not, what action has been taken or what action will the Premier take to apologise and ensure there is no repetition? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : (1) No. I will add to the answer having familiarised myself with the issue. We all need to take what the AMA says with a pinch of salt if that in itself is not a health risk! By raising this issue the AMA has caused great embarrassment to Mr Della-Polina. The facts are as follows - Mr Della-Polina had served three terms as chairman of Healthway totalling nine years. He was aware that his term had expired and had discussed this issue with the Minister for Health. Mr Della-Polina volunteered to continue to chair the Healthway board until a replacement was identified and appointed. In September 2003, the Minister for Health advised Mr Della-Polina via Healthway that a replacement as chair of the Healthway board was being actively pursued. At the end of November 2003, Mr Della-Polina was advised verbally that a replacement chair had been identified. This was confirmed in writing by advice to Mr Della-Polina from the Minister for Health on 10 December 2003 in which Mr Della-Polina was thanked for his contribution as chair of the Healthway board. Healthway board members were subsequently notified. The Premier has the highest regard for Mr Della-Polina and thanks him for the excellent contribution he has made to the work of Healthway. (2) No. (3)-(4) Not applicable.
(4) If not, what action has been taken or what action will the Premier take to apologise and ensure there is no repetition? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : (1) No. I will add to the answer having familiarised myself with the issue. We all need to take what the AMA says with a pinch of salt if that in itself is not a health risk! By raising this issue the AMA has caused great embarrassment to Mr Della-Polina. The facts are as follows - Mr Della-Polina had served three terms as chairman of Healthway totalling nine years. He was aware that his term had expired and had discussed this issue with the Minister for Health. Mr Della-Polina volunteered to continue to chair the Healthway board until a replacement was identified and appointed. In September 2003, the Minister for Health advised Mr Della-Polina via Healthway that a replacement as chair of the Healthway board was being actively pursued. At the end of November 2003, Mr Della-Polina was advised verbally that a replacement chair had been identified. This was confirmed in writing by advice to Mr Della-Polina from the Minister for Health on 10 December 2003 in which Mr Della-Polina was thanked for his contribution as chair of the Healthway board. Healthway board members were subsequently notified. The Premier has the highest regard for Mr Della-Polina and thanks him for the excellent contribution he has made to the work of Healthway. (2) No. (3)-(4) Not applicable.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied : (1) No. I will add to the answer having familiarised myself with the issue. We all need to take what the AMA says with a pinch of salt if that in itself is not a health risk! By raising this issue the AMA has caused great embarrassment to Mr Della-Polina. The facts are as follows - Mr Della-Polina had served three terms as chairman of Healthway totalling nine years. He was aware that his term had expired and had discussed this issue with the Minister for Health. Mr Della-Polina volunteered to continue to chair the Healthway board until a replacement was identified and appointed. In September 2003, the Minister for Health advised Mr Della-Polina via Healthway that a replacement as chair of the Healthway board was being actively pursued. At the end of November 2003, Mr Della-Polina was advised verbally that a replacement chair had been identified. This was confirmed in writing by advice to Mr Della-Polina from the Minister for Health on 10 December 2003 in which Mr Della-Polina was thanked for his contribution as chair of the Healthway board. Healthway board members were subsequently notified. The Premier has the highest regard for Mr Della-Polina and thanks him for the excellent contribution he has made to the work of Healthway. (2) No. (3)-(4) Not applicable.
(1) No. I will add to the answer having familiarised myself with the issue. We all need to take what the AMA says with a pinch of salt if that in itself is not a health risk! By raising this issue the AMA has caused great embarrassment to Mr Della-Polina. The facts are as follows - Mr Della-Polina had served three terms as chairman of Healthway totalling nine years. He was aware that his term had expired and had discussed this issue with the Minister for Health. Mr Della-Polina volunteered to continue to chair the Healthway board until a replacement was identified and appointed. In September 2003, the Minister for Health advised Mr Della-Polina via Healthway that a replacement as chair of the Healthway board was being actively pursued. At the end of November 2003, Mr Della-Polina was advised verbally that a replacement chair had been identified. This was confirmed in writing by advice to Mr Della-Polina from the Minister for Health on 10 December 2003 in which Mr Della-Polina was thanked for his contribution as chair of the Healthway board. Healthway board members were subsequently notified. The Premier has the highest regard for Mr Della-Polina and thanks him for the excellent contribution he has made to the work of Healthway. (2) No. (3)-(4) Not applicable.
(3)-(4) Not applicable.
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