❓ The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. McGowan, questions the Minister for Planning regarding an inquiry into Mr. Gary Prattley's travel expenses and the Minister's role in approving them. The Minister responds, outlining the process and awaiting Mr. Prattley's response to identified issues.
AnsweredQoN 665Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
GARY PRATTLEY — TRAVEL EXPENSES
665. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Minister for Planning:
I refer to the inquiry into Western
Australian Planning Commission appointee Mr Gary Prattley and the minister's
response in this place on 26 September, following a question about whether the
minister authorised all of Mr Prattley's overseas travel; namely —
To the best of my knowledge, all
of it .
(1) Has the Public Sector Commissioner completed his inquiry?
(2) If yes to
(1), was the issue of the minister's unquestioning approval of Mr
Prattley's overseas travel part of the inquiry; and, if not, why not?
(3) What specific concerns or alarm bells led to the calling
of an inquiry?
(4) What is Mr Prattley's future?
665. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Minister for Planning:
I refer to the inquiry into Western
Australian Planning Commission appointee Mr Gary Prattley and the minister's
response in this place on 26 September, following a question about whether the
minister authorised all of Mr Prattley's overseas travel; namely —
To the best of my knowledge, all
of it .
(1) Has the Public Sector Commissioner completed his inquiry?
(2) If yes to
(1), was the issue of the minister's unquestioning approval of Mr
Prattley's overseas travel part of the inquiry; and, if not, why not?
(3) What specific concerns or alarm bells led to the calling
of an inquiry?
(4) What is Mr Prattley's future?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
Leader of the Opposition for the question.
(1)–(4)
As I informed the house some weeks ago, I sought advice from the Public Sector
Commission in relation to the appropriate amount of allowances for the chair of
the WAPC, what would be an appropriate upper amount and the appropriate
parameters for travel and other expenses. In preparing that advice, the Public
Sector Commission requested more specific information from the Department of
Planning. There was an audit undertaken within the Department of Planning and
that information was provided to the Public Sector Commission. I have since
been advised by the Public Sector Commission and the State Solicitor's
Office. As a consequence of that advice, I have written to Mr Prattley seeking
his response to a number of issues identified in that internal audit. I am
awaiting a response from Mr Prattley. Some issues of concern were identified,
but of course Mr Prattley needs to have the opportunity to fully and
appropriately respond to the issues identified. I would hope to have a response
sometime next week.
Mr M. McGowan :
Were your approvals part of the inquiry?
Mr J.H.D. DAY :
Would that make sense? Is there any logic in that? Is there any evidence
whatsoever to suggest that any aspect of my approvals has been in question? The
answer is no; to the best of my knowledge I have not been the subject of any
inquiry. However, if any agency is undertaking an inquiry into me, they have
not informed me.
Leader of the Opposition for the question.
(1)–(4)
As I informed the house some weeks ago, I sought advice from the Public Sector
Commission in relation to the appropriate amount of allowances for the chair of
the WAPC, what would be an appropriate upper amount and the appropriate
parameters for travel and other expenses. In preparing that advice, the Public
Sector Commission requested more specific information from the Department of
Planning. There was an audit undertaken within the Department of Planning and
that information was provided to the Public Sector Commission. I have since
been advised by the Public Sector Commission and the State Solicitor's
Office. As a consequence of that advice, I have written to Mr Prattley seeking
his response to a number of issues identified in that internal audit. I am
awaiting a response from Mr Prattley. Some issues of concern were identified,
but of course Mr Prattley needs to have the opportunity to fully and
appropriately respond to the issues identified. I would hope to have a response
sometime next week.
Mr M. McGowan :
Were your approvals part of the inquiry?
Mr J.H.D. DAY :
Would that make sense? Is there any logic in that? Is there any evidence
whatsoever to suggest that any aspect of my approvals has been in question? The
answer is no; to the best of my knowledge I have not been the subject of any
inquiry. However, if any agency is undertaking an inquiry into me, they have
not informed me.
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