❓ A member of parliament questions the Premier about the removal of the previous Health Minister, citing a potential health crisis, bullying allegations, and the influence of spin doctors. The Premier's response avoids direct answers, praising his cabinet and citing a strategic decision to create a second economic portfolio.
AnsweredQoN 951Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the Premier to his repeated declarations of confidence in the former Minister for Health and comments about the great job he had done as he announced the cabinet reshuffle on 27 June, which stated that Mr McGinty “is well equipped to build on the excellent work done by Bob Kucera”. (1) Can the Premier explain to the House why he found it necessary to remove the previous minister from the important health portfolio if he was doing such an excellent job? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON: To continue - (2) Was it because the health crisis under the Premier’s Government has escalated to the worst situation this State has ever experienced and the minister who said that he would fix it was just not up to the job? (3) Was it because the previous minister had allegedly bullied and intimidated a female whistleblower who had brought his and the Premier’s attention to mismanagement within the Department of Health? (4) Was it on the advice of the Premier’s team of spin doctors or the Attorney General in an effort to avoid his being asked direct questions about this disgraceful situation within the department in the Parliament? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(4) I am very fortunate to be Premier of Western Australia with such a fine Cabinet. What is interesting about my Cabinet is the ability of all the ministers to undertake different responsibilities. As I said at the time, we made a strategic decision to create a second economic portfolio as part of our Government. I am very pleased that someone of the calibre of the member for Yokine was available to fulfil that function.
(1) Can the Premier explain to the House why he found it necessary to remove the previous minister from the important health portfolio if he was doing such an excellent job? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON: To continue - (2) Was it because the health crisis under the Premier’s Government has escalated to the worst situation this State has ever experienced and the minister who said that he would fix it was just not up to the job? (3) Was it because the previous minister had allegedly bullied and intimidated a female whistleblower who had brought his and the Premier’s attention to mismanagement within the Department of Health? (4) Was it on the advice of the Premier’s team of spin doctors or the Attorney General in an effort to avoid his being asked direct questions about this disgraceful situation within the department in the Parliament? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I am very fortunate to be Premier of Western Australia with such a fine Cabinet. What is interesting about my Cabinet is the ability of all the ministers to undertake different responsibilities. As I said at the time, we made a strategic decision to create a second economic portfolio as part of our Government. I am very pleased that someone of the calibre of the member for Yokine was available to fulfil that function.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON: To continue - (2) Was it because the health crisis under the Premier’s Government has escalated to the worst situation this State has ever experienced and the minister who said that he would fix it was just not up to the job? (3) Was it because the previous minister had allegedly bullied and intimidated a female whistleblower who had brought his and the Premier’s attention to mismanagement within the Department of Health? (4) Was it on the advice of the Premier’s team of spin doctors or the Attorney General in an effort to avoid his being asked direct questions about this disgraceful situation within the department in the Parliament? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I am very fortunate to be Premier of Western Australia with such a fine Cabinet. What is interesting about my Cabinet is the ability of all the ministers to undertake different responsibilities. As I said at the time, we made a strategic decision to create a second economic portfolio as part of our Government. I am very pleased that someone of the calibre of the member for Yokine was available to fulfil that function.
The SPEAKER: Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON: To continue - (2) Was it because the health crisis under the Premier’s Government has escalated to the worst situation this State has ever experienced and the minister who said that he would fix it was just not up to the job? (3) Was it because the previous minister had allegedly bullied and intimidated a female whistleblower who had brought his and the Premier’s attention to mismanagement within the Department of Health? (4) Was it on the advice of the Premier’s team of spin doctors or the Attorney General in an effort to avoid his being asked direct questions about this disgraceful situation within the department in the Parliament? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I am very fortunate to be Premier of Western Australia with such a fine Cabinet. What is interesting about my Cabinet is the ability of all the ministers to undertake different responsibilities. As I said at the time, we made a strategic decision to create a second economic portfolio as part of our Government. I am very pleased that someone of the calibre of the member for Yokine was available to fulfil that function.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON: To continue - (2) Was it because the health crisis under the Premier’s Government has escalated to the worst situation this State has ever experienced and the minister who said that he would fix it was just not up to the job? (3) Was it because the previous minister had allegedly bullied and intimidated a female whistleblower who had brought his and the Premier’s attention to mismanagement within the Department of Health? (4) Was it on the advice of the Premier’s team of spin doctors or the Attorney General in an effort to avoid his being asked direct questions about this disgraceful situation within the department in the Parliament? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I am very fortunate to be Premier of Western Australia with such a fine Cabinet. What is interesting about my Cabinet is the ability of all the ministers to undertake different responsibilities. As I said at the time, we made a strategic decision to create a second economic portfolio as part of our Government. I am very pleased that someone of the calibre of the member for Yokine was available to fulfil that function.
(2) Was it because the health crisis under the Premier’s Government has escalated to the worst situation this State has ever experienced and the minister who said that he would fix it was just not up to the job? (3) Was it because the previous minister had allegedly bullied and intimidated a female whistleblower who had brought his and the Premier’s attention to mismanagement within the Department of Health? (4) Was it on the advice of the Premier’s team of spin doctors or the Attorney General in an effort to avoid his being asked direct questions about this disgraceful situation within the department in the Parliament? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I am very fortunate to be Premier of Western Australia with such a fine Cabinet. What is interesting about my Cabinet is the ability of all the ministers to undertake different responsibilities. As I said at the time, we made a strategic decision to create a second economic portfolio as part of our Government. I am very pleased that someone of the calibre of the member for Yokine was available to fulfil that function.
(3) Was it because the previous minister had allegedly bullied and intimidated a female whistleblower who had brought his and the Premier’s attention to mismanagement within the Department of Health? (4) Was it on the advice of the Premier’s team of spin doctors or the Attorney General in an effort to avoid his being asked direct questions about this disgraceful situation within the department in the Parliament? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I am very fortunate to be Premier of Western Australia with such a fine Cabinet. What is interesting about my Cabinet is the ability of all the ministers to undertake different responsibilities. As I said at the time, we made a strategic decision to create a second economic portfolio as part of our Government. I am very pleased that someone of the calibre of the member for Yokine was available to fulfil that function.
(4) Was it on the advice of the Premier’s team of spin doctors or the Attorney General in an effort to avoid his being asked direct questions about this disgraceful situation within the department in the Parliament? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I am very fortunate to be Premier of Western Australia with such a fine Cabinet. What is interesting about my Cabinet is the ability of all the ministers to undertake different responsibilities. As I said at the time, we made a strategic decision to create a second economic portfolio as part of our Government. I am very pleased that someone of the calibre of the member for Yokine was available to fulfil that function.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I am very fortunate to be Premier of Western Australia with such a fine Cabinet. What is interesting about my Cabinet is the ability of all the ministers to undertake different responsibilities. As I said at the time, we made a strategic decision to create a second economic portfolio as part of our Government. I am very pleased that someone of the calibre of the member for Yokine was available to fulfil that function.
(1)-(4) I am very fortunate to be Premier of Western Australia with such a fine Cabinet. What is interesting about my Cabinet is the ability of all the ministers to undertake different responsibilities. As I said at the time, we made a strategic decision to create a second economic portfolio as part of our Government. I am very pleased that someone of the calibre of the member for Yokine was available to fulfil that function.
(1) Can the Premier explain to the House why he found it necessary to remove the previous minister from the important health portfolio if he was doing such an excellent job? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON: To continue - (2) Was it because the health crisis under the Premier’s Government has escalated to the worst situation this State has ever experienced and the minister who said that he would fix it was just not up to the job? (3) Was it because the previous minister had allegedly bullied and intimidated a female whistleblower who had brought his and the Premier’s attention to mismanagement within the Department of Health? (4) Was it on the advice of the Premier’s team of spin doctors or the Attorney General in an effort to avoid his being asked direct questions about this disgraceful situation within the department in the Parliament? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I am very fortunate to be Premier of Western Australia with such a fine Cabinet. What is interesting about my Cabinet is the ability of all the ministers to undertake different responsibilities. As I said at the time, we made a strategic decision to create a second economic portfolio as part of our Government. I am very pleased that someone of the calibre of the member for Yokine was available to fulfil that function.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON: To continue - (2) Was it because the health crisis under the Premier’s Government has escalated to the worst situation this State has ever experienced and the minister who said that he would fix it was just not up to the job? (3) Was it because the previous minister had allegedly bullied and intimidated a female whistleblower who had brought his and the Premier’s attention to mismanagement within the Department of Health? (4) Was it on the advice of the Premier’s team of spin doctors or the Attorney General in an effort to avoid his being asked direct questions about this disgraceful situation within the department in the Parliament? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I am very fortunate to be Premier of Western Australia with such a fine Cabinet. What is interesting about my Cabinet is the ability of all the ministers to undertake different responsibilities. As I said at the time, we made a strategic decision to create a second economic portfolio as part of our Government. I am very pleased that someone of the calibre of the member for Yokine was available to fulfil that function.
The SPEAKER: Members! Mr R.F. JOHNSON: To continue - (2) Was it because the health crisis under the Premier’s Government has escalated to the worst situation this State has ever experienced and the minister who said that he would fix it was just not up to the job? (3) Was it because the previous minister had allegedly bullied and intimidated a female whistleblower who had brought his and the Premier’s attention to mismanagement within the Department of Health? (4) Was it on the advice of the Premier’s team of spin doctors or the Attorney General in an effort to avoid his being asked direct questions about this disgraceful situation within the department in the Parliament? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I am very fortunate to be Premier of Western Australia with such a fine Cabinet. What is interesting about my Cabinet is the ability of all the ministers to undertake different responsibilities. As I said at the time, we made a strategic decision to create a second economic portfolio as part of our Government. I am very pleased that someone of the calibre of the member for Yokine was available to fulfil that function.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON: To continue - (2) Was it because the health crisis under the Premier’s Government has escalated to the worst situation this State has ever experienced and the minister who said that he would fix it was just not up to the job? (3) Was it because the previous minister had allegedly bullied and intimidated a female whistleblower who had brought his and the Premier’s attention to mismanagement within the Department of Health? (4) Was it on the advice of the Premier’s team of spin doctors or the Attorney General in an effort to avoid his being asked direct questions about this disgraceful situation within the department in the Parliament? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I am very fortunate to be Premier of Western Australia with such a fine Cabinet. What is interesting about my Cabinet is the ability of all the ministers to undertake different responsibilities. As I said at the time, we made a strategic decision to create a second economic portfolio as part of our Government. I am very pleased that someone of the calibre of the member for Yokine was available to fulfil that function.
(2) Was it because the health crisis under the Premier’s Government has escalated to the worst situation this State has ever experienced and the minister who said that he would fix it was just not up to the job? (3) Was it because the previous minister had allegedly bullied and intimidated a female whistleblower who had brought his and the Premier’s attention to mismanagement within the Department of Health? (4) Was it on the advice of the Premier’s team of spin doctors or the Attorney General in an effort to avoid his being asked direct questions about this disgraceful situation within the department in the Parliament? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I am very fortunate to be Premier of Western Australia with such a fine Cabinet. What is interesting about my Cabinet is the ability of all the ministers to undertake different responsibilities. As I said at the time, we made a strategic decision to create a second economic portfolio as part of our Government. I am very pleased that someone of the calibre of the member for Yokine was available to fulfil that function.
(3) Was it because the previous minister had allegedly bullied and intimidated a female whistleblower who had brought his and the Premier’s attention to mismanagement within the Department of Health? (4) Was it on the advice of the Premier’s team of spin doctors or the Attorney General in an effort to avoid his being asked direct questions about this disgraceful situation within the department in the Parliament? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I am very fortunate to be Premier of Western Australia with such a fine Cabinet. What is interesting about my Cabinet is the ability of all the ministers to undertake different responsibilities. As I said at the time, we made a strategic decision to create a second economic portfolio as part of our Government. I am very pleased that someone of the calibre of the member for Yokine was available to fulfil that function.
(4) Was it on the advice of the Premier’s team of spin doctors or the Attorney General in an effort to avoid his being asked direct questions about this disgraceful situation within the department in the Parliament? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I am very fortunate to be Premier of Western Australia with such a fine Cabinet. What is interesting about my Cabinet is the ability of all the ministers to undertake different responsibilities. As I said at the time, we made a strategic decision to create a second economic portfolio as part of our Government. I am very pleased that someone of the calibre of the member for Yokine was available to fulfil that function.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) I am very fortunate to be Premier of Western Australia with such a fine Cabinet. What is interesting about my Cabinet is the ability of all the ministers to undertake different responsibilities. As I said at the time, we made a strategic decision to create a second economic portfolio as part of our Government. I am very pleased that someone of the calibre of the member for Yokine was available to fulfil that function.
(1)-(4) I am very fortunate to be Premier of Western Australia with such a fine Cabinet. What is interesting about my Cabinet is the ability of all the ministers to undertake different responsibilities. As I said at the time, we made a strategic decision to create a second economic portfolio as part of our Government. I am very pleased that someone of the calibre of the member for Yokine was available to fulfil that function.
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