❓ Dr. Constable asks the Premier to amend the inquiry into the Department of Justice to include the Parole Board. The Premier declines, stating the existing terms of reference are broad enough to cover the Parole Board's role.
AnsweredQoN 57Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the inquiry into the performance of the Department of Justice and the fact that the Parole Board operates outside the department and under the jurisdiction of the Attorney General. (1) Will the Premier undertake to amend the terms of reference of the inquiry to include a full examination of the structure, role, performance and effectiveness of the parole system and the Parole Board? (2) If not, why not? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) I made it clear yesterday when we announced the terms of reference that they will deal with “all processes and procedures involved in the assessment, placement, management and rehabilitation of offenders in custody, and into such aspects of the management as, to the Inquirer in his discretion, may appear appropriate”. Therefore, the role of the Parole Board in these matters will be examined by the inquiry. May I now make some comments on the headlines on this issue that we have seen in the newspaper this morning? The headlines in The West Australian are wrong. I have made it absolutely clear that the position of Mr Mahoney has been set up to look into a whole range of matters that are outlined in the terms of reference. In order for him to pursue those matters he could use the powers of the Public Sector Management Act, the Prisons Act and the Inspector of Custodial Services Act. I have also made it very clear that all ministers in my government have been directed to cooperate with him in his inquiries. He can reach conclusions on any matters relating to ministerial performance, just as Mr Hooker did in the inquiry that he undertook into the prison escape. We have made it very clear that this will be a comprehensive inquiry. The powers available to the inquiry come under three acts of Parliament and also my direction to the ministers that they will cooperate with this inquiry. Let us go to the heart of this issue. The heart of this issue is that we have the most eminent person available to us in Australia, Mr Dennis Mahoney, of whom it has been said by all those who know him that his is a first-class appointment. We have given him broad terms of reference to look into all these matters. I am fully confident that he will look into these matters and come up with an excellent conclusion to this issue. This inquiry will be able to deliver the goods. It will not be the sort of inquiry that the Leader of the Opposition has talked about in the form of a select committee of this Parliament. That would be a complete waste of time and can be summarised only as political posturing by the opposition.
(1) Will the Premier undertake to amend the terms of reference of the inquiry to include a full examination of the structure, role, performance and effectiveness of the parole system and the Parole Board? (2) If not, why not? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I made it clear yesterday when we announced the terms of reference that they will deal with “all processes and procedures involved in the assessment, placement, management and rehabilitation of offenders in custody, and into such aspects of the management as, to the Inquirer in his discretion, may appear appropriate”. Therefore, the role of the Parole Board in these matters will be examined by the inquiry. May I now make some comments on the headlines on this issue that we have seen in the newspaper this morning? The headlines in The West Australian are wrong. I have made it absolutely clear that the position of Mr Mahoney has been set up to look into a whole range of matters that are outlined in the terms of reference. In order for him to pursue those matters he could use the powers of the Public Sector Management Act, the Prisons Act and the Inspector of Custodial Services Act. I have also made it very clear that all ministers in my government have been directed to cooperate with him in his inquiries. He can reach conclusions on any matters relating to ministerial performance, just as Mr Hooker did in the inquiry that he undertook into the prison escape. We have made it very clear that this will be a comprehensive inquiry. The powers available to the inquiry come under three acts of Parliament and also my direction to the ministers that they will cooperate with this inquiry. Let us go to the heart of this issue. The heart of this issue is that we have the most eminent person available to us in Australia, Mr Dennis Mahoney, of whom it has been said by all those who know him that his is a first-class appointment. We have given him broad terms of reference to look into all these matters. I am fully confident that he will look into these matters and come up with an excellent conclusion to this issue. This inquiry will be able to deliver the goods. It will not be the sort of inquiry that the Leader of the Opposition has talked about in the form of a select committee of this Parliament. That would be a complete waste of time and can be summarised only as political posturing by the opposition.
(2) If not, why not? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I made it clear yesterday when we announced the terms of reference that they will deal with “all processes and procedures involved in the assessment, placement, management and rehabilitation of offenders in custody, and into such aspects of the management as, to the Inquirer in his discretion, may appear appropriate”. Therefore, the role of the Parole Board in these matters will be examined by the inquiry. May I now make some comments on the headlines on this issue that we have seen in the newspaper this morning? The headlines in The West Australian are wrong. I have made it absolutely clear that the position of Mr Mahoney has been set up to look into a whole range of matters that are outlined in the terms of reference. In order for him to pursue those matters he could use the powers of the Public Sector Management Act, the Prisons Act and the Inspector of Custodial Services Act. I have also made it very clear that all ministers in my government have been directed to cooperate with him in his inquiries. He can reach conclusions on any matters relating to ministerial performance, just as Mr Hooker did in the inquiry that he undertook into the prison escape. We have made it very clear that this will be a comprehensive inquiry. The powers available to the inquiry come under three acts of Parliament and also my direction to the ministers that they will cooperate with this inquiry. Let us go to the heart of this issue. The heart of this issue is that we have the most eminent person available to us in Australia, Mr Dennis Mahoney, of whom it has been said by all those who know him that his is a first-class appointment. We have given him broad terms of reference to look into all these matters. I am fully confident that he will look into these matters and come up with an excellent conclusion to this issue. This inquiry will be able to deliver the goods. It will not be the sort of inquiry that the Leader of the Opposition has talked about in the form of a select committee of this Parliament. That would be a complete waste of time and can be summarised only as political posturing by the opposition.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I made it clear yesterday when we announced the terms of reference that they will deal with “all processes and procedures involved in the assessment, placement, management and rehabilitation of offenders in custody, and into such aspects of the management as, to the Inquirer in his discretion, may appear appropriate”. Therefore, the role of the Parole Board in these matters will be examined by the inquiry. May I now make some comments on the headlines on this issue that we have seen in the newspaper this morning? The headlines in The West Australian are wrong. I have made it absolutely clear that the position of Mr Mahoney has been set up to look into a whole range of matters that are outlined in the terms of reference. In order for him to pursue those matters he could use the powers of the Public Sector Management Act, the Prisons Act and the Inspector of Custodial Services Act. I have also made it very clear that all ministers in my government have been directed to cooperate with him in his inquiries. He can reach conclusions on any matters relating to ministerial performance, just as Mr Hooker did in the inquiry that he undertook into the prison escape. We have made it very clear that this will be a comprehensive inquiry. The powers available to the inquiry come under three acts of Parliament and also my direction to the ministers that they will cooperate with this inquiry. Let us go to the heart of this issue. The heart of this issue is that we have the most eminent person available to us in Australia, Mr Dennis Mahoney, of whom it has been said by all those who know him that his is a first-class appointment. We have given him broad terms of reference to look into all these matters. I am fully confident that he will look into these matters and come up with an excellent conclusion to this issue. This inquiry will be able to deliver the goods. It will not be the sort of inquiry that the Leader of the Opposition has talked about in the form of a select committee of this Parliament. That would be a complete waste of time and can be summarised only as political posturing by the opposition.
(1)-(2) I made it clear yesterday when we announced the terms of reference that they will deal with “all processes and procedures involved in the assessment, placement, management and rehabilitation of offenders in custody, and into such aspects of the management as, to the Inquirer in his discretion, may appear appropriate”. Therefore, the role of the Parole Board in these matters will be examined by the inquiry. May I now make some comments on the headlines on this issue that we have seen in the newspaper this morning? The headlines in The West Australian are wrong. I have made it absolutely clear that the position of Mr Mahoney has been set up to look into a whole range of matters that are outlined in the terms of reference. In order for him to pursue those matters he could use the powers of the Public Sector Management Act, the Prisons Act and the Inspector of Custodial Services Act. I have also made it very clear that all ministers in my government have been directed to cooperate with him in his inquiries. He can reach conclusions on any matters relating to ministerial performance, just as Mr Hooker did in the inquiry that he undertook into the prison escape. We have made it very clear that this will be a comprehensive inquiry. The powers available to the inquiry come under three acts of Parliament and also my direction to the ministers that they will cooperate with this inquiry. Let us go to the heart of this issue. The heart of this issue is that we have the most eminent person available to us in Australia, Mr Dennis Mahoney, of whom it has been said by all those who know him that his is a first-class appointment. We have given him broad terms of reference to look into all these matters. I am fully confident that he will look into these matters and come up with an excellent conclusion to this issue. This inquiry will be able to deliver the goods. It will not be the sort of inquiry that the Leader of the Opposition has talked about in the form of a select committee of this Parliament. That would be a complete waste of time and can be summarised only as political posturing by the opposition.
(1) Will the Premier undertake to amend the terms of reference of the inquiry to include a full examination of the structure, role, performance and effectiveness of the parole system and the Parole Board? (2) If not, why not? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I made it clear yesterday when we announced the terms of reference that they will deal with “all processes and procedures involved in the assessment, placement, management and rehabilitation of offenders in custody, and into such aspects of the management as, to the Inquirer in his discretion, may appear appropriate”. Therefore, the role of the Parole Board in these matters will be examined by the inquiry. May I now make some comments on the headlines on this issue that we have seen in the newspaper this morning? The headlines in The West Australian are wrong. I have made it absolutely clear that the position of Mr Mahoney has been set up to look into a whole range of matters that are outlined in the terms of reference. In order for him to pursue those matters he could use the powers of the Public Sector Management Act, the Prisons Act and the Inspector of Custodial Services Act. I have also made it very clear that all ministers in my government have been directed to cooperate with him in his inquiries. He can reach conclusions on any matters relating to ministerial performance, just as Mr Hooker did in the inquiry that he undertook into the prison escape. We have made it very clear that this will be a comprehensive inquiry. The powers available to the inquiry come under three acts of Parliament and also my direction to the ministers that they will cooperate with this inquiry. Let us go to the heart of this issue. The heart of this issue is that we have the most eminent person available to us in Australia, Mr Dennis Mahoney, of whom it has been said by all those who know him that his is a first-class appointment. We have given him broad terms of reference to look into all these matters. I am fully confident that he will look into these matters and come up with an excellent conclusion to this issue. This inquiry will be able to deliver the goods. It will not be the sort of inquiry that the Leader of the Opposition has talked about in the form of a select committee of this Parliament. That would be a complete waste of time and can be summarised only as political posturing by the opposition.
(2) If not, why not? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I made it clear yesterday when we announced the terms of reference that they will deal with “all processes and procedures involved in the assessment, placement, management and rehabilitation of offenders in custody, and into such aspects of the management as, to the Inquirer in his discretion, may appear appropriate”. Therefore, the role of the Parole Board in these matters will be examined by the inquiry. May I now make some comments on the headlines on this issue that we have seen in the newspaper this morning? The headlines in The West Australian are wrong. I have made it absolutely clear that the position of Mr Mahoney has been set up to look into a whole range of matters that are outlined in the terms of reference. In order for him to pursue those matters he could use the powers of the Public Sector Management Act, the Prisons Act and the Inspector of Custodial Services Act. I have also made it very clear that all ministers in my government have been directed to cooperate with him in his inquiries. He can reach conclusions on any matters relating to ministerial performance, just as Mr Hooker did in the inquiry that he undertook into the prison escape. We have made it very clear that this will be a comprehensive inquiry. The powers available to the inquiry come under three acts of Parliament and also my direction to the ministers that they will cooperate with this inquiry. Let us go to the heart of this issue. The heart of this issue is that we have the most eminent person available to us in Australia, Mr Dennis Mahoney, of whom it has been said by all those who know him that his is a first-class appointment. We have given him broad terms of reference to look into all these matters. I am fully confident that he will look into these matters and come up with an excellent conclusion to this issue. This inquiry will be able to deliver the goods. It will not be the sort of inquiry that the Leader of the Opposition has talked about in the form of a select committee of this Parliament. That would be a complete waste of time and can be summarised only as political posturing by the opposition.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I made it clear yesterday when we announced the terms of reference that they will deal with “all processes and procedures involved in the assessment, placement, management and rehabilitation of offenders in custody, and into such aspects of the management as, to the Inquirer in his discretion, may appear appropriate”. Therefore, the role of the Parole Board in these matters will be examined by the inquiry. May I now make some comments on the headlines on this issue that we have seen in the newspaper this morning? The headlines in The West Australian are wrong. I have made it absolutely clear that the position of Mr Mahoney has been set up to look into a whole range of matters that are outlined in the terms of reference. In order for him to pursue those matters he could use the powers of the Public Sector Management Act, the Prisons Act and the Inspector of Custodial Services Act. I have also made it very clear that all ministers in my government have been directed to cooperate with him in his inquiries. He can reach conclusions on any matters relating to ministerial performance, just as Mr Hooker did in the inquiry that he undertook into the prison escape. We have made it very clear that this will be a comprehensive inquiry. The powers available to the inquiry come under three acts of Parliament and also my direction to the ministers that they will cooperate with this inquiry. Let us go to the heart of this issue. The heart of this issue is that we have the most eminent person available to us in Australia, Mr Dennis Mahoney, of whom it has been said by all those who know him that his is a first-class appointment. We have given him broad terms of reference to look into all these matters. I am fully confident that he will look into these matters and come up with an excellent conclusion to this issue. This inquiry will be able to deliver the goods. It will not be the sort of inquiry that the Leader of the Opposition has talked about in the form of a select committee of this Parliament. That would be a complete waste of time and can be summarised only as political posturing by the opposition.
(1)-(2) I made it clear yesterday when we announced the terms of reference that they will deal with “all processes and procedures involved in the assessment, placement, management and rehabilitation of offenders in custody, and into such aspects of the management as, to the Inquirer in his discretion, may appear appropriate”. Therefore, the role of the Parole Board in these matters will be examined by the inquiry. May I now make some comments on the headlines on this issue that we have seen in the newspaper this morning? The headlines in The West Australian are wrong. I have made it absolutely clear that the position of Mr Mahoney has been set up to look into a whole range of matters that are outlined in the terms of reference. In order for him to pursue those matters he could use the powers of the Public Sector Management Act, the Prisons Act and the Inspector of Custodial Services Act. I have also made it very clear that all ministers in my government have been directed to cooperate with him in his inquiries. He can reach conclusions on any matters relating to ministerial performance, just as Mr Hooker did in the inquiry that he undertook into the prison escape. We have made it very clear that this will be a comprehensive inquiry. The powers available to the inquiry come under three acts of Parliament and also my direction to the ministers that they will cooperate with this inquiry. Let us go to the heart of this issue. The heart of this issue is that we have the most eminent person available to us in Australia, Mr Dennis Mahoney, of whom it has been said by all those who know him that his is a first-class appointment. We have given him broad terms of reference to look into all these matters. I am fully confident that he will look into these matters and come up with an excellent conclusion to this issue. This inquiry will be able to deliver the goods. It will not be the sort of inquiry that the Leader of the Opposition has talked about in the form of a select committee of this Parliament. That would be a complete waste of time and can be summarised only as political posturing by the opposition.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.