❓ Mr. Love questions the Minister about the early departure of Screenwest CEO Seph McKenna. The Minister deflects responsibility to Screenwest's independent board, highlighting the agency's success and ongoing recruitment efforts.
AnsweredQoN 955Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SCREENWEST CEO —
SEPH MCKENNA — DEPARTURE
955. Mr R.S. LOVE to the Minister for Culture and the Arts:
Before I ask my question, I point
out to the house that today is National Agriculture Day—a day of
celebrating the industry that is very important to members on this side of the
house.
Several members interjected.
Mr R.S. LOVE : I refer to the
minister's media statement from last year heralding Screenwest's
new top-rated CEO, and that the announcement of Seph McKenna would further
strengthen the WA screen sector's position.
(1) Has the
minister sought an explanation from his department or Screenwest as to why Mr McKenna's
five-year contract was ended in September, just nine months into the term?
(2) If yes to (1), what was the
reason for the departure?
SEPH MCKENNA — DEPARTURE
955. Mr R.S. LOVE to the Minister for Culture and the Arts:
Before I ask my question, I point
out to the house that today is National Agriculture Day—a day of
celebrating the industry that is very important to members on this side of the
house.
Several members interjected.
Mr R.S. LOVE : I refer to the
minister's media statement from last year heralding Screenwest's
new top-rated CEO, and that the announcement of Seph McKenna would further
strengthen the WA screen sector's position.
(1) Has the
minister sought an explanation from his department or Screenwest as to why Mr McKenna's
five-year contract was ended in September, just nine months into the term?
(2) If yes to (1), what was the
reason for the departure?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) �I
thank the member for the question. The member may be aware that Screenwest is
now an independent authority—an independent entity —
Mr R.S. Love :
It is your press release, so it is something to do with you.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Screenwest
is a very important entity in the culture and arts infrastructure of Western Australia,
and in fact it is doing a tremendous job, so of course it is appropriate that I
highlight Screenwest, as an independent authority doing great things for the
screen industry in Western Australia. It is leading the country! The Treasurer
highlighted that the WA arts and creative industries are now leading the
country, particularly in the screen area, highlighting the record number of
films, documentaries and television programs being made. It is a pity the
member is having a go.
However, I will answer the member's
question. As an independent entity, it is up to the board—the
independent board of that organisation—to make decisions. Indeed, I have
found Mr Seph McKenna a very skilled and very good person. However, I am not
the hirer and firer of that person. The independent board makes the decisions,
and it has obviously made a decision on that position. There is currently a recruitment
—
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Minister! The
member for Moore has asked a question, and each member of the Nationals WA has
answered it. But it is not the Nationals' answer; it is the minister's,
and that is the one I will listen to.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : There is
currently a recruitment process that involves —
Mr D.T. Redman interjected.
The SPEAKER : I call the
member for Warren–Blackwood to order. I know he thinks he runs the
chamber, but he does not; I do.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : The board
is currently undertaking an independent process to replace Mr McKenna. I am
sure that board will assess applicants for that position and make a choice, as
is its responsibility as it is an independent board. I am sure the replacement
will continue the outstanding work of Screenwest, which is leading the country
in the creative industries and the volume of productions across Western Australia,
including, of course, in regional Western Australia, where a record number of
films are currently either under production or under film. Dirt Music is
being filmed in Esperance, and H is for Happiness is being filmed in
your electorate, Mr Speaker, in Albany. That builds on the work of Breath that was filmed in Denmark in the great southern area, and builds on the
strength of The Heights— a fantastic 32-episode television series
that will be broadcast in the UK.
The SPEAKER : Minister, do not
forget about me—through the Chair!
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Western Australia
is leading because the McGowan government recognises very strongly the value of
the creative industries!
The SPEAKER : Through the
Chair, otherwise you will be sitting in the chair.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : The
McGowan government recognises the importance of the creative industries to the
broadening economy of Western Australia, and will continue—can we
change the seats?—to invest in that, it will continue to support
Screenwest and it will continue to support creative people in our community.
That is why we have a wonderful strength there.
thank the member for the question. The member may be aware that Screenwest is
now an independent authority—an independent entity —
Mr R.S. Love :
It is your press release, so it is something to do with you.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Screenwest
is a very important entity in the culture and arts infrastructure of Western Australia,
and in fact it is doing a tremendous job, so of course it is appropriate that I
highlight Screenwest, as an independent authority doing great things for the
screen industry in Western Australia. It is leading the country! The Treasurer
highlighted that the WA arts and creative industries are now leading the
country, particularly in the screen area, highlighting the record number of
films, documentaries and television programs being made. It is a pity the
member is having a go.
However, I will answer the member's
question. As an independent entity, it is up to the board—the
independent board of that organisation—to make decisions. Indeed, I have
found Mr Seph McKenna a very skilled and very good person. However, I am not
the hirer and firer of that person. The independent board makes the decisions,
and it has obviously made a decision on that position. There is currently a recruitment
—
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Minister! The
member for Moore has asked a question, and each member of the Nationals WA has
answered it. But it is not the Nationals' answer; it is the minister's,
and that is the one I will listen to.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : There is
currently a recruitment process that involves —
Mr D.T. Redman interjected.
The SPEAKER : I call the
member for Warren–Blackwood to order. I know he thinks he runs the
chamber, but he does not; I do.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : The board
is currently undertaking an independent process to replace Mr McKenna. I am
sure that board will assess applicants for that position and make a choice, as
is its responsibility as it is an independent board. I am sure the replacement
will continue the outstanding work of Screenwest, which is leading the country
in the creative industries and the volume of productions across Western Australia,
including, of course, in regional Western Australia, where a record number of
films are currently either under production or under film. Dirt Music is
being filmed in Esperance, and H is for Happiness is being filmed in
your electorate, Mr Speaker, in Albany. That builds on the work of Breath that was filmed in Denmark in the great southern area, and builds on the
strength of The Heights— a fantastic 32-episode television series
that will be broadcast in the UK.
The SPEAKER : Minister, do not
forget about me—through the Chair!
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : Western Australia
is leading because the McGowan government recognises very strongly the value of
the creative industries!
The SPEAKER : Through the
Chair, otherwise you will be sitting in the chair.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : The
McGowan government recognises the importance of the creative industries to the
broadening economy of Western Australia, and will continue—can we
change the seats?—to invest in that, it will continue to support
Screenwest and it will continue to support creative people in our community.
That is why we have a wonderful strength there.
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