❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding emails between Brian Burke and Dr. Neale Fong, specifically focusing on the Minister for Health's awareness of the FOI process related to their release and the reasons for the minister's office receiving the emails. The response deflects direct answers to questions 2-4.
AnsweredQoN 533Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
MINISTER FOR HEALTH - EMAILS BETWEEN BRIAN BURKE AND DR NEALE FONG
I gather the minister now has some answers that I sought to ask earlier. (1) Will the minister reconfirm that, despite the fact that his chief of staff was aware that the emails he was given by the Department of Health on 12 June were revealed as a result of the FOI process being undertaken by the opposition, the minister was not aware of this FOI process until being told by the opposition in Parliament on 21 June? (2) When the minister’s chief of staff was given details of the Burke-Fong emails on 12 June, what was the reason given for the release of this information to the minister’s office, and who in the health department requested that the information be given to the minister’s office? (3) When the minister’s chief of staff was informed on 12 June that the Burke-Fong emails were revealed through the opposition’s FOI applications, was he also made aware that a further time extension was being sought from the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, or, if that extension had already been granted, was the chief of staff informed of the proposed final date for the release of the information to the opposition? (4) Given the seriousness of these emails and given that the minister had to make a statement before Parliament, why is it that the minister made no inquiry about the reasons these emails suddenly came to light? Hon SUE ELLERY
I gather the minister now has some answers that I sought to ask earlier. (1) Will the minister reconfirm that, despite the fact that his chief of staff was aware that the emails he was given by the Department of Health on 12 June were revealed as a result of the FOI process being undertaken by the opposition, the minister was not aware of this FOI process until being told by the opposition in Parliament on 21 June? (2) When the minister’s chief of staff was given details of the Burke-Fong emails on 12 June, what was the reason given for the release of this information to the minister’s office, and who in the health department requested that the information be given to the minister’s office? (3) When the minister’s chief of staff was informed on 12 June that the Burke-Fong emails were revealed through the opposition’s FOI applications, was he also made aware that a further time extension was being sought from the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, or, if that extension had already been granted, was the chief of staff informed of the proposed final date for the release of the information to the opposition? (4) Given the seriousness of these emails and given that the minister had to make a statement before Parliament, why is it that the minister made no inquiry about the reasons these emails suddenly came to light? Hon SUE ELLERY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health’s chief of staff became aware of the FOI application by the office of the Leader of the Opposition on 12 June 2007 as a result of a draft response prepared by the Department of Health in an answer to Assembly parliamentary question 2361. The Minister for Health confirms that he was unaware of the FOI application by the Leader of the Opposition until being told by the opposition on 21 June 2007. (2)-(4) I refer the honourable member to the brief ministerial statement made by the minister on 21 June 2007; parliamentary question without notice 506, dated 27 June; and parliamentary question without notice 482, dated 26 June 2007.
(1) Will the minister reconfirm that, despite the fact that his chief of staff was aware that the emails he was given by the Department of Health on 12 June were revealed as a result of the FOI process being undertaken by the opposition, the minister was not aware of this FOI process until being told by the opposition in Parliament on 21 June? (2) When the minister’s chief of staff was given details of the Burke-Fong emails on 12 June, what was the reason given for the release of this information to the minister’s office, and who in the health department requested that the information be given to the minister’s office? (3) When the minister’s chief of staff was informed on 12 June that the Burke-Fong emails were revealed through the opposition’s FOI applications, was he also made aware that a further time extension was being sought from the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, or, if that extension had already been granted, was the chief of staff informed of the proposed final date for the release of the information to the opposition? (4) Given the seriousness of these emails and given that the minister had to make a statement before Parliament, why is it that the minister made no inquiry about the reasons these emails suddenly came to light? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health’s chief of staff became aware of the FOI application by the office of the Leader of the Opposition on 12 June 2007 as a result of a draft response prepared by the Department of Health in an answer to Assembly parliamentary question 2361. The Minister for Health confirms that he was unaware of the FOI application by the Leader of the Opposition until being told by the opposition on 21 June 2007. (2)-(4) I refer the honourable member to the brief ministerial statement made by the minister on 21 June 2007; parliamentary question without notice 506, dated 27 June; and parliamentary question without notice 482, dated 26 June 2007.
(2) When the minister’s chief of staff was given details of the Burke-Fong emails on 12 June, what was the reason given for the release of this information to the minister’s office, and who in the health department requested that the information be given to the minister’s office? (3) When the minister’s chief of staff was informed on 12 June that the Burke-Fong emails were revealed through the opposition’s FOI applications, was he also made aware that a further time extension was being sought from the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, or, if that extension had already been granted, was the chief of staff informed of the proposed final date for the release of the information to the opposition? (4) Given the seriousness of these emails and given that the minister had to make a statement before Parliament, why is it that the minister made no inquiry about the reasons these emails suddenly came to light? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health’s chief of staff became aware of the FOI application by the office of the Leader of the Opposition on 12 June 2007 as a result of a draft response prepared by the Department of Health in an answer to Assembly parliamentary question 2361. The Minister for Health confirms that he was unaware of the FOI application by the Leader of the Opposition until being told by the opposition on 21 June 2007. (2)-(4) I refer the honourable member to the brief ministerial statement made by the minister on 21 June 2007; parliamentary question without notice 506, dated 27 June; and parliamentary question without notice 482, dated 26 June 2007.
(3) When the minister’s chief of staff was informed on 12 June that the Burke-Fong emails were revealed through the opposition’s FOI applications, was he also made aware that a further time extension was being sought from the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, or, if that extension had already been granted, was the chief of staff informed of the proposed final date for the release of the information to the opposition? (4) Given the seriousness of these emails and given that the minister had to make a statement before Parliament, why is it that the minister made no inquiry about the reasons these emails suddenly came to light? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health’s chief of staff became aware of the FOI application by the office of the Leader of the Opposition on 12 June 2007 as a result of a draft response prepared by the Department of Health in an answer to Assembly parliamentary question 2361. The Minister for Health confirms that he was unaware of the FOI application by the Leader of the Opposition until being told by the opposition on 21 June 2007. (2)-(4) I refer the honourable member to the brief ministerial statement made by the minister on 21 June 2007; parliamentary question without notice 506, dated 27 June; and parliamentary question without notice 482, dated 26 June 2007.
(4) Given the seriousness of these emails and given that the minister had to make a statement before Parliament, why is it that the minister made no inquiry about the reasons these emails suddenly came to light? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health’s chief of staff became aware of the FOI application by the office of the Leader of the Opposition on 12 June 2007 as a result of a draft response prepared by the Department of Health in an answer to Assembly parliamentary question 2361. The Minister for Health confirms that he was unaware of the FOI application by the Leader of the Opposition until being told by the opposition on 21 June 2007. (2)-(4) I refer the honourable member to the brief ministerial statement made by the minister on 21 June 2007; parliamentary question without notice 506, dated 27 June; and parliamentary question without notice 482, dated 26 June 2007.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health’s chief of staff became aware of the FOI application by the office of the Leader of the Opposition on 12 June 2007 as a result of a draft response prepared by the Department of Health in an answer to Assembly parliamentary question 2361. The Minister for Health confirms that he was unaware of the FOI application by the Leader of the Opposition until being told by the opposition on 21 June 2007. (2)-(4) I refer the honourable member to the brief ministerial statement made by the minister on 21 June 2007; parliamentary question without notice 506, dated 27 June; and parliamentary question without notice 482, dated 26 June 2007.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health’s chief of staff became aware of the FOI application by the office of the Leader of the Opposition on 12 June 2007 as a result of a draft response prepared by the Department of Health in an answer to Assembly parliamentary question 2361. The Minister for Health confirms that he was unaware of the FOI application by the Leader of the Opposition until being told by the opposition on 21 June 2007. (2)-(4) I refer the honourable member to the brief ministerial statement made by the minister on 21 June 2007; parliamentary question without notice 506, dated 27 June; and parliamentary question without notice 482, dated 26 June 2007.
(1) The Minister for Health’s chief of staff became aware of the FOI application by the office of the Leader of the Opposition on 12 June 2007 as a result of a draft response prepared by the Department of Health in an answer to Assembly parliamentary question 2361. The Minister for Health confirms that he was unaware of the FOI application by the Leader of the Opposition until being told by the opposition on 21 June 2007. (2)-(4) I refer the honourable member to the brief ministerial statement made by the minister on 21 June 2007; parliamentary question without notice 506, dated 27 June; and parliamentary question without notice 482, dated 26 June 2007.
(2)-(4) I refer the honourable member to the brief ministerial statement made by the minister on 21 June 2007; parliamentary question without notice 506, dated 27 June; and parliamentary question without notice 482, dated 26 June 2007.
(1) Will the minister reconfirm that, despite the fact that his chief of staff was aware that the emails he was given by the Department of Health on 12 June were revealed as a result of the FOI process being undertaken by the opposition, the minister was not aware of this FOI process until being told by the opposition in Parliament on 21 June? (2) When the minister’s chief of staff was given details of the Burke-Fong emails on 12 June, what was the reason given for the release of this information to the minister’s office, and who in the health department requested that the information be given to the minister’s office? (3) When the minister’s chief of staff was informed on 12 June that the Burke-Fong emails were revealed through the opposition’s FOI applications, was he also made aware that a further time extension was being sought from the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, or, if that extension had already been granted, was the chief of staff informed of the proposed final date for the release of the information to the opposition? (4) Given the seriousness of these emails and given that the minister had to make a statement before Parliament, why is it that the minister made no inquiry about the reasons these emails suddenly came to light? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health’s chief of staff became aware of the FOI application by the office of the Leader of the Opposition on 12 June 2007 as a result of a draft response prepared by the Department of Health in an answer to Assembly parliamentary question 2361. The Minister for Health confirms that he was unaware of the FOI application by the Leader of the Opposition until being told by the opposition on 21 June 2007. (2)-(4) I refer the honourable member to the brief ministerial statement made by the minister on 21 June 2007; parliamentary question without notice 506, dated 27 June; and parliamentary question without notice 482, dated 26 June 2007.
(2) When the minister’s chief of staff was given details of the Burke-Fong emails on 12 June, what was the reason given for the release of this information to the minister’s office, and who in the health department requested that the information be given to the minister’s office? (3) When the minister’s chief of staff was informed on 12 June that the Burke-Fong emails were revealed through the opposition’s FOI applications, was he also made aware that a further time extension was being sought from the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, or, if that extension had already been granted, was the chief of staff informed of the proposed final date for the release of the information to the opposition? (4) Given the seriousness of these emails and given that the minister had to make a statement before Parliament, why is it that the minister made no inquiry about the reasons these emails suddenly came to light? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health’s chief of staff became aware of the FOI application by the office of the Leader of the Opposition on 12 June 2007 as a result of a draft response prepared by the Department of Health in an answer to Assembly parliamentary question 2361. The Minister for Health confirms that he was unaware of the FOI application by the Leader of the Opposition until being told by the opposition on 21 June 2007. (2)-(4) I refer the honourable member to the brief ministerial statement made by the minister on 21 June 2007; parliamentary question without notice 506, dated 27 June; and parliamentary question without notice 482, dated 26 June 2007.
(3) When the minister’s chief of staff was informed on 12 June that the Burke-Fong emails were revealed through the opposition’s FOI applications, was he also made aware that a further time extension was being sought from the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, or, if that extension had already been granted, was the chief of staff informed of the proposed final date for the release of the information to the opposition? (4) Given the seriousness of these emails and given that the minister had to make a statement before Parliament, why is it that the minister made no inquiry about the reasons these emails suddenly came to light? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health’s chief of staff became aware of the FOI application by the office of the Leader of the Opposition on 12 June 2007 as a result of a draft response prepared by the Department of Health in an answer to Assembly parliamentary question 2361. The Minister for Health confirms that he was unaware of the FOI application by the Leader of the Opposition until being told by the opposition on 21 June 2007. (2)-(4) I refer the honourable member to the brief ministerial statement made by the minister on 21 June 2007; parliamentary question without notice 506, dated 27 June; and parliamentary question without notice 482, dated 26 June 2007.
(4) Given the seriousness of these emails and given that the minister had to make a statement before Parliament, why is it that the minister made no inquiry about the reasons these emails suddenly came to light? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health’s chief of staff became aware of the FOI application by the office of the Leader of the Opposition on 12 June 2007 as a result of a draft response prepared by the Department of Health in an answer to Assembly parliamentary question 2361. The Minister for Health confirms that he was unaware of the FOI application by the Leader of the Opposition until being told by the opposition on 21 June 2007. (2)-(4) I refer the honourable member to the brief ministerial statement made by the minister on 21 June 2007; parliamentary question without notice 506, dated 27 June; and parliamentary question without notice 482, dated 26 June 2007.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health’s chief of staff became aware of the FOI application by the office of the Leader of the Opposition on 12 June 2007 as a result of a draft response prepared by the Department of Health in an answer to Assembly parliamentary question 2361. The Minister for Health confirms that he was unaware of the FOI application by the Leader of the Opposition until being told by the opposition on 21 June 2007. (2)-(4) I refer the honourable member to the brief ministerial statement made by the minister on 21 June 2007; parliamentary question without notice 506, dated 27 June; and parliamentary question without notice 482, dated 26 June 2007.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health’s chief of staff became aware of the FOI application by the office of the Leader of the Opposition on 12 June 2007 as a result of a draft response prepared by the Department of Health in an answer to Assembly parliamentary question 2361. The Minister for Health confirms that he was unaware of the FOI application by the Leader of the Opposition until being told by the opposition on 21 June 2007. (2)-(4) I refer the honourable member to the brief ministerial statement made by the minister on 21 June 2007; parliamentary question without notice 506, dated 27 June; and parliamentary question without notice 482, dated 26 June 2007.
(1) The Minister for Health’s chief of staff became aware of the FOI application by the office of the Leader of the Opposition on 12 June 2007 as a result of a draft response prepared by the Department of Health in an answer to Assembly parliamentary question 2361. The Minister for Health confirms that he was unaware of the FOI application by the Leader of the Opposition until being told by the opposition on 21 June 2007. (2)-(4) I refer the honourable member to the brief ministerial statement made by the minister on 21 June 2007; parliamentary question without notice 506, dated 27 June; and parliamentary question without notice 482, dated 26 June 2007.
(2)-(4) I refer the honourable member to the brief ministerial statement made by the minister on 21 June 2007; parliamentary question without notice 506, dated 27 June; and parliamentary question without notice 482, dated 26 June 2007.
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