❓ Hon B.K. Donaldson asks about the status of the City of South Perth inquiry, to which Hon Tom Stephens responds that the inquiry was terminated by the Supreme Court and outlines the process for potentially reconstituting it as a single-person inquiry.
AnsweredQoN 598Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Can the minister inform the House of the current status of the inquiry into the City of South Perth? (2) When will the minister make a decision on the future of the City of South Perth as a local government authority? (3) Are legal proceedings expected to eventuate from the inquiry so far? Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
(1) The inquiry has been terminated by the Supreme Court. (2) I will make that decision soon. (3) I have not heard any suggestion of legal proceedings. Hon B.K. Donaldson: It has been mentioned in the Press a number of times. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is what I have said elsewhere, so I will say it in this place: it may now be necessary for this inquiry to be reconstituted as a single-person inquiry under the terms of the Local Government Act. That will require the support of my cabinet colleagues; and I will take that matter to Cabinet when I have a firm recommendation for Cabinet. If Cabinet were to agree with me on that proposal, it would then require the support of the Western Australian Municipal Association, because the Act stipulates that the single-person inquirer must be a legal practitioner, and that legal practitioner must be agreed to by WAMA. It may be the case that the reconstituted inquiry is best conducted with the assistance of counsel assisting, because of the long and protracted playing out of this matter to this point. I am working actively on those issues, keeping in mind that the termination of the earlier inquiry took place only on Friday of the week before last. The member will appreciate that I may take a few moments to put this inquiry in place in a way that will serve the people of South Perth correctly; that is, to complete the inquiry, and for that inquiry to then make recommendations to me about whether the South Perth council should be reinstated or dismissed. The people of South Perth are entitled to a few moments of my consideration to get this inquiry positioned in such a way that it can complete the task as expeditiously as possible.
(2) When will the minister make a decision on the future of the City of South Perth as a local government authority? (3) Are legal proceedings expected to eventuate from the inquiry so far? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) The inquiry has been terminated by the Supreme Court. (2) I will make that decision soon. (3) I have not heard any suggestion of legal proceedings. Hon B.K. Donaldson: It has been mentioned in the Press a number of times. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is what I have said elsewhere, so I will say it in this place: it may now be necessary for this inquiry to be reconstituted as a single-person inquiry under the terms of the Local Government Act. That will require the support of my cabinet colleagues; and I will take that matter to Cabinet when I have a firm recommendation for Cabinet. If Cabinet were to agree with me on that proposal, it would then require the support of the Western Australian Municipal Association, because the Act stipulates that the single-person inquirer must be a legal practitioner, and that legal practitioner must be agreed to by WAMA. It may be the case that the reconstituted inquiry is best conducted with the assistance of counsel assisting, because of the long and protracted playing out of this matter to this point. I am working actively on those issues, keeping in mind that the termination of the earlier inquiry took place only on Friday of the week before last. The member will appreciate that I may take a few moments to put this inquiry in place in a way that will serve the people of South Perth correctly; that is, to complete the inquiry, and for that inquiry to then make recommendations to me about whether the South Perth council should be reinstated or dismissed. The people of South Perth are entitled to a few moments of my consideration to get this inquiry positioned in such a way that it can complete the task as expeditiously as possible.
(3) Are legal proceedings expected to eventuate from the inquiry so far? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) The inquiry has been terminated by the Supreme Court. (2) I will make that decision soon. (3) I have not heard any suggestion of legal proceedings. Hon B.K. Donaldson: It has been mentioned in the Press a number of times. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is what I have said elsewhere, so I will say it in this place: it may now be necessary for this inquiry to be reconstituted as a single-person inquiry under the terms of the Local Government Act. That will require the support of my cabinet colleagues; and I will take that matter to Cabinet when I have a firm recommendation for Cabinet. If Cabinet were to agree with me on that proposal, it would then require the support of the Western Australian Municipal Association, because the Act stipulates that the single-person inquirer must be a legal practitioner, and that legal practitioner must be agreed to by WAMA. It may be the case that the reconstituted inquiry is best conducted with the assistance of counsel assisting, because of the long and protracted playing out of this matter to this point. I am working actively on those issues, keeping in mind that the termination of the earlier inquiry took place only on Friday of the week before last. The member will appreciate that I may take a few moments to put this inquiry in place in a way that will serve the people of South Perth correctly; that is, to complete the inquiry, and for that inquiry to then make recommendations to me about whether the South Perth council should be reinstated or dismissed. The people of South Perth are entitled to a few moments of my consideration to get this inquiry positioned in such a way that it can complete the task as expeditiously as possible.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) The inquiry has been terminated by the Supreme Court. (2) I will make that decision soon. (3) I have not heard any suggestion of legal proceedings. Hon B.K. Donaldson: It has been mentioned in the Press a number of times. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is what I have said elsewhere, so I will say it in this place: it may now be necessary for this inquiry to be reconstituted as a single-person inquiry under the terms of the Local Government Act. That will require the support of my cabinet colleagues; and I will take that matter to Cabinet when I have a firm recommendation for Cabinet. If Cabinet were to agree with me on that proposal, it would then require the support of the Western Australian Municipal Association, because the Act stipulates that the single-person inquirer must be a legal practitioner, and that legal practitioner must be agreed to by WAMA. It may be the case that the reconstituted inquiry is best conducted with the assistance of counsel assisting, because of the long and protracted playing out of this matter to this point. I am working actively on those issues, keeping in mind that the termination of the earlier inquiry took place only on Friday of the week before last. The member will appreciate that I may take a few moments to put this inquiry in place in a way that will serve the people of South Perth correctly; that is, to complete the inquiry, and for that inquiry to then make recommendations to me about whether the South Perth council should be reinstated or dismissed. The people of South Perth are entitled to a few moments of my consideration to get this inquiry positioned in such a way that it can complete the task as expeditiously as possible.
(1) The inquiry has been terminated by the Supreme Court. (2) I will make that decision soon. (3) I have not heard any suggestion of legal proceedings. Hon B.K. Donaldson: It has been mentioned in the Press a number of times. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is what I have said elsewhere, so I will say it in this place: it may now be necessary for this inquiry to be reconstituted as a single-person inquiry under the terms of the Local Government Act. That will require the support of my cabinet colleagues; and I will take that matter to Cabinet when I have a firm recommendation for Cabinet. If Cabinet were to agree with me on that proposal, it would then require the support of the Western Australian Municipal Association, because the Act stipulates that the single-person inquirer must be a legal practitioner, and that legal practitioner must be agreed to by WAMA. It may be the case that the reconstituted inquiry is best conducted with the assistance of counsel assisting, because of the long and protracted playing out of this matter to this point. I am working actively on those issues, keeping in mind that the termination of the earlier inquiry took place only on Friday of the week before last. The member will appreciate that I may take a few moments to put this inquiry in place in a way that will serve the people of South Perth correctly; that is, to complete the inquiry, and for that inquiry to then make recommendations to me about whether the South Perth council should be reinstated or dismissed. The people of South Perth are entitled to a few moments of my consideration to get this inquiry positioned in such a way that it can complete the task as expeditiously as possible.
(2) I will make that decision soon. (3) I have not heard any suggestion of legal proceedings. Hon B.K. Donaldson: It has been mentioned in the Press a number of times. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is what I have said elsewhere, so I will say it in this place: it may now be necessary for this inquiry to be reconstituted as a single-person inquiry under the terms of the Local Government Act. That will require the support of my cabinet colleagues; and I will take that matter to Cabinet when I have a firm recommendation for Cabinet. If Cabinet were to agree with me on that proposal, it would then require the support of the Western Australian Municipal Association, because the Act stipulates that the single-person inquirer must be a legal practitioner, and that legal practitioner must be agreed to by WAMA. It may be the case that the reconstituted inquiry is best conducted with the assistance of counsel assisting, because of the long and protracted playing out of this matter to this point. I am working actively on those issues, keeping in mind that the termination of the earlier inquiry took place only on Friday of the week before last. The member will appreciate that I may take a few moments to put this inquiry in place in a way that will serve the people of South Perth correctly; that is, to complete the inquiry, and for that inquiry to then make recommendations to me about whether the South Perth council should be reinstated or dismissed. The people of South Perth are entitled to a few moments of my consideration to get this inquiry positioned in such a way that it can complete the task as expeditiously as possible.
(3) I have not heard any suggestion of legal proceedings. Hon B.K. Donaldson: It has been mentioned in the Press a number of times. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is what I have said elsewhere, so I will say it in this place: it may now be necessary for this inquiry to be reconstituted as a single-person inquiry under the terms of the Local Government Act. That will require the support of my cabinet colleagues; and I will take that matter to Cabinet when I have a firm recommendation for Cabinet. If Cabinet were to agree with me on that proposal, it would then require the support of the Western Australian Municipal Association, because the Act stipulates that the single-person inquirer must be a legal practitioner, and that legal practitioner must be agreed to by WAMA. It may be the case that the reconstituted inquiry is best conducted with the assistance of counsel assisting, because of the long and protracted playing out of this matter to this point. I am working actively on those issues, keeping in mind that the termination of the earlier inquiry took place only on Friday of the week before last. The member will appreciate that I may take a few moments to put this inquiry in place in a way that will serve the people of South Perth correctly; that is, to complete the inquiry, and for that inquiry to then make recommendations to me about whether the South Perth council should be reinstated or dismissed. The people of South Perth are entitled to a few moments of my consideration to get this inquiry positioned in such a way that it can complete the task as expeditiously as possible.
Hon B.K. Donaldson: It has been mentioned in the Press a number of times. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is what I have said elsewhere, so I will say it in this place: it may now be necessary for this inquiry to be reconstituted as a single-person inquiry under the terms of the Local Government Act. That will require the support of my cabinet colleagues; and I will take that matter to Cabinet when I have a firm recommendation for Cabinet. If Cabinet were to agree with me on that proposal, it would then require the support of the Western Australian Municipal Association, because the Act stipulates that the single-person inquirer must be a legal practitioner, and that legal practitioner must be agreed to by WAMA. It may be the case that the reconstituted inquiry is best conducted with the assistance of counsel assisting, because of the long and protracted playing out of this matter to this point. I am working actively on those issues, keeping in mind that the termination of the earlier inquiry took place only on Friday of the week before last. The member will appreciate that I may take a few moments to put this inquiry in place in a way that will serve the people of South Perth correctly; that is, to complete the inquiry, and for that inquiry to then make recommendations to me about whether the South Perth council should be reinstated or dismissed. The people of South Perth are entitled to a few moments of my consideration to get this inquiry positioned in such a way that it can complete the task as expeditiously as possible.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is what I have said elsewhere, so I will say it in this place: it may now be necessary for this inquiry to be reconstituted as a single-person inquiry under the terms of the Local Government Act. That will require the support of my cabinet colleagues; and I will take that matter to Cabinet when I have a firm recommendation for Cabinet. If Cabinet were to agree with me on that proposal, it would then require the support of the Western Australian Municipal Association, because the Act stipulates that the single-person inquirer must be a legal practitioner, and that legal practitioner must be agreed to by WAMA. It may be the case that the reconstituted inquiry is best conducted with the assistance of counsel assisting, because of the long and protracted playing out of this matter to this point. I am working actively on those issues, keeping in mind that the termination of the earlier inquiry took place only on Friday of the week before last. The member will appreciate that I may take a few moments to put this inquiry in place in a way that will serve the people of South Perth correctly; that is, to complete the inquiry, and for that inquiry to then make recommendations to me about whether the South Perth council should be reinstated or dismissed. The people of South Perth are entitled to a few moments of my consideration to get this inquiry positioned in such a way that it can complete the task as expeditiously as possible.
I am working actively on those issues, keeping in mind that the termination of the earlier inquiry took place only on Friday of the week before last. The member will appreciate that I may take a few moments to put this inquiry in place in a way that will serve the people of South Perth correctly; that is, to complete the inquiry, and for that inquiry to then make recommendations to me about whether the South Perth council should be reinstated or dismissed. The people of South Perth are entitled to a few moments of my consideration to get this inquiry positioned in such a way that it can complete the task as expeditiously as possible.
(2) When will the minister make a decision on the future of the City of South Perth as a local government authority? (3) Are legal proceedings expected to eventuate from the inquiry so far? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) The inquiry has been terminated by the Supreme Court. (2) I will make that decision soon. (3) I have not heard any suggestion of legal proceedings. Hon B.K. Donaldson: It has been mentioned in the Press a number of times. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is what I have said elsewhere, so I will say it in this place: it may now be necessary for this inquiry to be reconstituted as a single-person inquiry under the terms of the Local Government Act. That will require the support of my cabinet colleagues; and I will take that matter to Cabinet when I have a firm recommendation for Cabinet. If Cabinet were to agree with me on that proposal, it would then require the support of the Western Australian Municipal Association, because the Act stipulates that the single-person inquirer must be a legal practitioner, and that legal practitioner must be agreed to by WAMA. It may be the case that the reconstituted inquiry is best conducted with the assistance of counsel assisting, because of the long and protracted playing out of this matter to this point. I am working actively on those issues, keeping in mind that the termination of the earlier inquiry took place only on Friday of the week before last. The member will appreciate that I may take a few moments to put this inquiry in place in a way that will serve the people of South Perth correctly; that is, to complete the inquiry, and for that inquiry to then make recommendations to me about whether the South Perth council should be reinstated or dismissed. The people of South Perth are entitled to a few moments of my consideration to get this inquiry positioned in such a way that it can complete the task as expeditiously as possible.
(3) Are legal proceedings expected to eventuate from the inquiry so far? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) The inquiry has been terminated by the Supreme Court. (2) I will make that decision soon. (3) I have not heard any suggestion of legal proceedings. Hon B.K. Donaldson: It has been mentioned in the Press a number of times. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is what I have said elsewhere, so I will say it in this place: it may now be necessary for this inquiry to be reconstituted as a single-person inquiry under the terms of the Local Government Act. That will require the support of my cabinet colleagues; and I will take that matter to Cabinet when I have a firm recommendation for Cabinet. If Cabinet were to agree with me on that proposal, it would then require the support of the Western Australian Municipal Association, because the Act stipulates that the single-person inquirer must be a legal practitioner, and that legal practitioner must be agreed to by WAMA. It may be the case that the reconstituted inquiry is best conducted with the assistance of counsel assisting, because of the long and protracted playing out of this matter to this point. I am working actively on those issues, keeping in mind that the termination of the earlier inquiry took place only on Friday of the week before last. The member will appreciate that I may take a few moments to put this inquiry in place in a way that will serve the people of South Perth correctly; that is, to complete the inquiry, and for that inquiry to then make recommendations to me about whether the South Perth council should be reinstated or dismissed. The people of South Perth are entitled to a few moments of my consideration to get this inquiry positioned in such a way that it can complete the task as expeditiously as possible.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1) The inquiry has been terminated by the Supreme Court. (2) I will make that decision soon. (3) I have not heard any suggestion of legal proceedings. Hon B.K. Donaldson: It has been mentioned in the Press a number of times. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is what I have said elsewhere, so I will say it in this place: it may now be necessary for this inquiry to be reconstituted as a single-person inquiry under the terms of the Local Government Act. That will require the support of my cabinet colleagues; and I will take that matter to Cabinet when I have a firm recommendation for Cabinet. If Cabinet were to agree with me on that proposal, it would then require the support of the Western Australian Municipal Association, because the Act stipulates that the single-person inquirer must be a legal practitioner, and that legal practitioner must be agreed to by WAMA. It may be the case that the reconstituted inquiry is best conducted with the assistance of counsel assisting, because of the long and protracted playing out of this matter to this point. I am working actively on those issues, keeping in mind that the termination of the earlier inquiry took place only on Friday of the week before last. The member will appreciate that I may take a few moments to put this inquiry in place in a way that will serve the people of South Perth correctly; that is, to complete the inquiry, and for that inquiry to then make recommendations to me about whether the South Perth council should be reinstated or dismissed. The people of South Perth are entitled to a few moments of my consideration to get this inquiry positioned in such a way that it can complete the task as expeditiously as possible.
(1) The inquiry has been terminated by the Supreme Court. (2) I will make that decision soon. (3) I have not heard any suggestion of legal proceedings. Hon B.K. Donaldson: It has been mentioned in the Press a number of times. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is what I have said elsewhere, so I will say it in this place: it may now be necessary for this inquiry to be reconstituted as a single-person inquiry under the terms of the Local Government Act. That will require the support of my cabinet colleagues; and I will take that matter to Cabinet when I have a firm recommendation for Cabinet. If Cabinet were to agree with me on that proposal, it would then require the support of the Western Australian Municipal Association, because the Act stipulates that the single-person inquirer must be a legal practitioner, and that legal practitioner must be agreed to by WAMA. It may be the case that the reconstituted inquiry is best conducted with the assistance of counsel assisting, because of the long and protracted playing out of this matter to this point. I am working actively on those issues, keeping in mind that the termination of the earlier inquiry took place only on Friday of the week before last. The member will appreciate that I may take a few moments to put this inquiry in place in a way that will serve the people of South Perth correctly; that is, to complete the inquiry, and for that inquiry to then make recommendations to me about whether the South Perth council should be reinstated or dismissed. The people of South Perth are entitled to a few moments of my consideration to get this inquiry positioned in such a way that it can complete the task as expeditiously as possible.
(2) I will make that decision soon. (3) I have not heard any suggestion of legal proceedings. Hon B.K. Donaldson: It has been mentioned in the Press a number of times. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is what I have said elsewhere, so I will say it in this place: it may now be necessary for this inquiry to be reconstituted as a single-person inquiry under the terms of the Local Government Act. That will require the support of my cabinet colleagues; and I will take that matter to Cabinet when I have a firm recommendation for Cabinet. If Cabinet were to agree with me on that proposal, it would then require the support of the Western Australian Municipal Association, because the Act stipulates that the single-person inquirer must be a legal practitioner, and that legal practitioner must be agreed to by WAMA. It may be the case that the reconstituted inquiry is best conducted with the assistance of counsel assisting, because of the long and protracted playing out of this matter to this point. I am working actively on those issues, keeping in mind that the termination of the earlier inquiry took place only on Friday of the week before last. The member will appreciate that I may take a few moments to put this inquiry in place in a way that will serve the people of South Perth correctly; that is, to complete the inquiry, and for that inquiry to then make recommendations to me about whether the South Perth council should be reinstated or dismissed. The people of South Perth are entitled to a few moments of my consideration to get this inquiry positioned in such a way that it can complete the task as expeditiously as possible.
(3) I have not heard any suggestion of legal proceedings. Hon B.K. Donaldson: It has been mentioned in the Press a number of times. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is what I have said elsewhere, so I will say it in this place: it may now be necessary for this inquiry to be reconstituted as a single-person inquiry under the terms of the Local Government Act. That will require the support of my cabinet colleagues; and I will take that matter to Cabinet when I have a firm recommendation for Cabinet. If Cabinet were to agree with me on that proposal, it would then require the support of the Western Australian Municipal Association, because the Act stipulates that the single-person inquirer must be a legal practitioner, and that legal practitioner must be agreed to by WAMA. It may be the case that the reconstituted inquiry is best conducted with the assistance of counsel assisting, because of the long and protracted playing out of this matter to this point. I am working actively on those issues, keeping in mind that the termination of the earlier inquiry took place only on Friday of the week before last. The member will appreciate that I may take a few moments to put this inquiry in place in a way that will serve the people of South Perth correctly; that is, to complete the inquiry, and for that inquiry to then make recommendations to me about whether the South Perth council should be reinstated or dismissed. The people of South Perth are entitled to a few moments of my consideration to get this inquiry positioned in such a way that it can complete the task as expeditiously as possible.
Hon B.K. Donaldson: It has been mentioned in the Press a number of times. Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is what I have said elsewhere, so I will say it in this place: it may now be necessary for this inquiry to be reconstituted as a single-person inquiry under the terms of the Local Government Act. That will require the support of my cabinet colleagues; and I will take that matter to Cabinet when I have a firm recommendation for Cabinet. If Cabinet were to agree with me on that proposal, it would then require the support of the Western Australian Municipal Association, because the Act stipulates that the single-person inquirer must be a legal practitioner, and that legal practitioner must be agreed to by WAMA. It may be the case that the reconstituted inquiry is best conducted with the assistance of counsel assisting, because of the long and protracted playing out of this matter to this point. I am working actively on those issues, keeping in mind that the termination of the earlier inquiry took place only on Friday of the week before last. The member will appreciate that I may take a few moments to put this inquiry in place in a way that will serve the people of South Perth correctly; that is, to complete the inquiry, and for that inquiry to then make recommendations to me about whether the South Perth council should be reinstated or dismissed. The people of South Perth are entitled to a few moments of my consideration to get this inquiry positioned in such a way that it can complete the task as expeditiously as possible.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: This is what I have said elsewhere, so I will say it in this place: it may now be necessary for this inquiry to be reconstituted as a single-person inquiry under the terms of the Local Government Act. That will require the support of my cabinet colleagues; and I will take that matter to Cabinet when I have a firm recommendation for Cabinet. If Cabinet were to agree with me on that proposal, it would then require the support of the Western Australian Municipal Association, because the Act stipulates that the single-person inquirer must be a legal practitioner, and that legal practitioner must be agreed to by WAMA. It may be the case that the reconstituted inquiry is best conducted with the assistance of counsel assisting, because of the long and protracted playing out of this matter to this point. I am working actively on those issues, keeping in mind that the termination of the earlier inquiry took place only on Friday of the week before last. The member will appreciate that I may take a few moments to put this inquiry in place in a way that will serve the people of South Perth correctly; that is, to complete the inquiry, and for that inquiry to then make recommendations to me about whether the South Perth council should be reinstated or dismissed. The people of South Perth are entitled to a few moments of my consideration to get this inquiry positioned in such a way that it can complete the task as expeditiously as possible.
I am working actively on those issues, keeping in mind that the termination of the earlier inquiry took place only on Friday of the week before last. The member will appreciate that I may take a few moments to put this inquiry in place in a way that will serve the people of South Perth correctly; that is, to complete the inquiry, and for that inquiry to then make recommendations to me about whether the South Perth council should be reinstated or dismissed. The people of South Perth are entitled to a few moments of my consideration to get this inquiry positioned in such a way that it can complete the task as expeditiously as possible.
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