❓ A parliamentary question probes the appointment of Damian Callachor to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group, focusing on his qualifications and selection process. The Minister's response defends the appointment, highlighting Callachor's experience and role as a liaison officer.
AnsweredQoN 621Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
damian callachor — fremantle ports optimum planning group
I refer to the appointment of Mr Damian Callachor to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group, which was set up to help guide the critical future expansion of the Fremantle port. I understand that the group will make recommendations on port and associated planning matters to meet the state’s needs over the next 50 years. (1) What is Mr Callachor’s current position in government and for how long has he held that position? (2) What technical expertise does Mr Damian Callachor bring to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group? (3) Does Mr Damian Callachor have any formal qualifications in transport or planning; and, if yes, what are those qualifications? (4) What was the selection process used to appoint Mr Callachor to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group? (5) Why was Mr Callachor chosen to be on such an important group? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN
I refer to the appointment of Mr Damian Callachor to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group, which was set up to help guide the critical future expansion of the Fremantle port. I understand that the group will make recommendations on port and associated planning matters to meet the state’s needs over the next 50 years. (1) What is Mr Callachor’s current position in government and for how long has he held that position? (2) What technical expertise does Mr Damian Callachor bring to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group? (3) Does Mr Damian Callachor have any formal qualifications in transport or planning; and, if yes, what are those qualifications? (4) What was the selection process used to appoint Mr Callachor to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group? (5) Why was Mr Callachor chosen to be on such an important group? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(5) I was a little disturbed to receive some notice of this question. I do not know why we have some on the other side of the house who want to play the man and not the ball, but if they do want to do that, let them come and have a go at me. Rather than come up with some, quite frankly, puerile little question that was sourced from no better source than “Inside Cover” in The West Australian of this morning, which I understand is where the question came from — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Anyway, just give me an answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : There is no denial of that. That apparently shows the level of research that we are receiving about serious issues of the day. Now that Mr Damian Callachor has been questioned in those two august forums—namely, “Inside Cover”, which I am glad to say I have appeared in five or six times, though never too grievously, and from the mouth of Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich, who needs to reassess what is important in the way she spends house time—let me tell members this about Mr Damian Callachor. His current position is as a principal policy adviser in my ministerial office. He was appointed to that position in December 2008. The reason he was appointed to the position is that he brings the skills that I need to help me discharge my ministerial role. He came directly from a position as a senior policy officer with the National Transport Commission. Immediately prior to that, he was a senior policy adviser with Hon Warren Truss, the former federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Other ministers he served immediately prior to that include, I believe, Minister Vaile, Minister Tanner and one or two others — Hon Max Trenorden : Minister Anderson. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes, Minister Anderson was another one. I thank Hon Max Trenorden. Mr Callachor is well thought of in transport circles. That is why he was appointed as my policy adviser, not because he is a hack of some party or other—not the Liberal Party, I might add—but because he is a damned good officer and the sort of person I need to do my job. He stays in that job because he is bloody good at it. That is the reason he is in there. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
(1) What is Mr Callachor’s current position in government and for how long has he held that position? (2) What technical expertise does Mr Damian Callachor bring to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group? (3) Does Mr Damian Callachor have any formal qualifications in transport or planning; and, if yes, what are those qualifications? (4) What was the selection process used to appoint Mr Callachor to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group? (5) Why was Mr Callachor chosen to be on such an important group? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: (1)-(5) I was a little disturbed to receive some notice of this question. I do not know why we have some on the other side of the house who want to play the man and not the ball, but if they do want to do that, let them come and have a go at me. Rather than come up with some, quite frankly, puerile little question that was sourced from no better source than “Inside Cover” in The West Australian of this morning, which I understand is where the question came from — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Anyway, just give me an answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : There is no denial of that. That apparently shows the level of research that we are receiving about serious issues of the day. Now that Mr Damian Callachor has been questioned in those two august forums—namely, “Inside Cover”, which I am glad to say I have appeared in five or six times, though never too grievously, and from the mouth of Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich, who needs to reassess what is important in the way she spends house time—let me tell members this about Mr Damian Callachor. His current position is as a principal policy adviser in my ministerial office. He was appointed to that position in December 2008. The reason he was appointed to the position is that he brings the skills that I need to help me discharge my ministerial role. He came directly from a position as a senior policy officer with the National Transport Commission. Immediately prior to that, he was a senior policy adviser with Hon Warren Truss, the former federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Other ministers he served immediately prior to that include, I believe, Minister Vaile, Minister Tanner and one or two others — Hon Max Trenorden : Minister Anderson. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes, Minister Anderson was another one. I thank Hon Max Trenorden. Mr Callachor is well thought of in transport circles. That is why he was appointed as my policy adviser, not because he is a hack of some party or other—not the Liberal Party, I might add—but because he is a damned good officer and the sort of person I need to do my job. He stays in that job because he is bloody good at it. That is the reason he is in there. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
(2) What technical expertise does Mr Damian Callachor bring to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group? (3) Does Mr Damian Callachor have any formal qualifications in transport or planning; and, if yes, what are those qualifications? (4) What was the selection process used to appoint Mr Callachor to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group? (5) Why was Mr Callachor chosen to be on such an important group? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: (1)-(5) I was a little disturbed to receive some notice of this question. I do not know why we have some on the other side of the house who want to play the man and not the ball, but if they do want to do that, let them come and have a go at me. Rather than come up with some, quite frankly, puerile little question that was sourced from no better source than “Inside Cover” in The West Australian of this morning, which I understand is where the question came from — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Anyway, just give me an answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : There is no denial of that. That apparently shows the level of research that we are receiving about serious issues of the day. Now that Mr Damian Callachor has been questioned in those two august forums—namely, “Inside Cover”, which I am glad to say I have appeared in five or six times, though never too grievously, and from the mouth of Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich, who needs to reassess what is important in the way she spends house time—let me tell members this about Mr Damian Callachor. His current position is as a principal policy adviser in my ministerial office. He was appointed to that position in December 2008. The reason he was appointed to the position is that he brings the skills that I need to help me discharge my ministerial role. He came directly from a position as a senior policy officer with the National Transport Commission. Immediately prior to that, he was a senior policy adviser with Hon Warren Truss, the former federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Other ministers he served immediately prior to that include, I believe, Minister Vaile, Minister Tanner and one or two others — Hon Max Trenorden : Minister Anderson. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes, Minister Anderson was another one. I thank Hon Max Trenorden. Mr Callachor is well thought of in transport circles. That is why he was appointed as my policy adviser, not because he is a hack of some party or other—not the Liberal Party, I might add—but because he is a damned good officer and the sort of person I need to do my job. He stays in that job because he is bloody good at it. That is the reason he is in there. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
(3) Does Mr Damian Callachor have any formal qualifications in transport or planning; and, if yes, what are those qualifications? (4) What was the selection process used to appoint Mr Callachor to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group? (5) Why was Mr Callachor chosen to be on such an important group? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: (1)-(5) I was a little disturbed to receive some notice of this question. I do not know why we have some on the other side of the house who want to play the man and not the ball, but if they do want to do that, let them come and have a go at me. Rather than come up with some, quite frankly, puerile little question that was sourced from no better source than “Inside Cover” in The West Australian of this morning, which I understand is where the question came from — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Anyway, just give me an answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : There is no denial of that. That apparently shows the level of research that we are receiving about serious issues of the day. Now that Mr Damian Callachor has been questioned in those two august forums—namely, “Inside Cover”, which I am glad to say I have appeared in five or six times, though never too grievously, and from the mouth of Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich, who needs to reassess what is important in the way she spends house time—let me tell members this about Mr Damian Callachor. His current position is as a principal policy adviser in my ministerial office. He was appointed to that position in December 2008. The reason he was appointed to the position is that he brings the skills that I need to help me discharge my ministerial role. He came directly from a position as a senior policy officer with the National Transport Commission. Immediately prior to that, he was a senior policy adviser with Hon Warren Truss, the former federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Other ministers he served immediately prior to that include, I believe, Minister Vaile, Minister Tanner and one or two others — Hon Max Trenorden : Minister Anderson. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes, Minister Anderson was another one. I thank Hon Max Trenorden. Mr Callachor is well thought of in transport circles. That is why he was appointed as my policy adviser, not because he is a hack of some party or other—not the Liberal Party, I might add—but because he is a damned good officer and the sort of person I need to do my job. He stays in that job because he is bloody good at it. That is the reason he is in there. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
(4) What was the selection process used to appoint Mr Callachor to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group? (5) Why was Mr Callachor chosen to be on such an important group? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: (1)-(5) I was a little disturbed to receive some notice of this question. I do not know why we have some on the other side of the house who want to play the man and not the ball, but if they do want to do that, let them come and have a go at me. Rather than come up with some, quite frankly, puerile little question that was sourced from no better source than “Inside Cover” in The West Australian of this morning, which I understand is where the question came from — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Anyway, just give me an answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : There is no denial of that. That apparently shows the level of research that we are receiving about serious issues of the day. Now that Mr Damian Callachor has been questioned in those two august forums—namely, “Inside Cover”, which I am glad to say I have appeared in five or six times, though never too grievously, and from the mouth of Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich, who needs to reassess what is important in the way she spends house time—let me tell members this about Mr Damian Callachor. His current position is as a principal policy adviser in my ministerial office. He was appointed to that position in December 2008. The reason he was appointed to the position is that he brings the skills that I need to help me discharge my ministerial role. He came directly from a position as a senior policy officer with the National Transport Commission. Immediately prior to that, he was a senior policy adviser with Hon Warren Truss, the former federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Other ministers he served immediately prior to that include, I believe, Minister Vaile, Minister Tanner and one or two others — Hon Max Trenorden : Minister Anderson. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes, Minister Anderson was another one. I thank Hon Max Trenorden. Mr Callachor is well thought of in transport circles. That is why he was appointed as my policy adviser, not because he is a hack of some party or other—not the Liberal Party, I might add—but because he is a damned good officer and the sort of person I need to do my job. He stays in that job because he is bloody good at it. That is the reason he is in there. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
(5) Why was Mr Callachor chosen to be on such an important group? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: (1)-(5) I was a little disturbed to receive some notice of this question. I do not know why we have some on the other side of the house who want to play the man and not the ball, but if they do want to do that, let them come and have a go at me. Rather than come up with some, quite frankly, puerile little question that was sourced from no better source than “Inside Cover” in The West Australian of this morning, which I understand is where the question came from — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Anyway, just give me an answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : There is no denial of that. That apparently shows the level of research that we are receiving about serious issues of the day. Now that Mr Damian Callachor has been questioned in those two august forums—namely, “Inside Cover”, which I am glad to say I have appeared in five or six times, though never too grievously, and from the mouth of Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich, who needs to reassess what is important in the way she spends house time—let me tell members this about Mr Damian Callachor. His current position is as a principal policy adviser in my ministerial office. He was appointed to that position in December 2008. The reason he was appointed to the position is that he brings the skills that I need to help me discharge my ministerial role. He came directly from a position as a senior policy officer with the National Transport Commission. Immediately prior to that, he was a senior policy adviser with Hon Warren Truss, the former federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Other ministers he served immediately prior to that include, I believe, Minister Vaile, Minister Tanner and one or two others — Hon Max Trenorden : Minister Anderson. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes, Minister Anderson was another one. I thank Hon Max Trenorden. Mr Callachor is well thought of in transport circles. That is why he was appointed as my policy adviser, not because he is a hack of some party or other—not the Liberal Party, I might add—but because he is a damned good officer and the sort of person I need to do my job. He stays in that job because he is bloody good at it. That is the reason he is in there. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: (1)-(5) I was a little disturbed to receive some notice of this question. I do not know why we have some on the other side of the house who want to play the man and not the ball, but if they do want to do that, let them come and have a go at me. Rather than come up with some, quite frankly, puerile little question that was sourced from no better source than “Inside Cover” in The West Australian of this morning, which I understand is where the question came from — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Anyway, just give me an answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : There is no denial of that. That apparently shows the level of research that we are receiving about serious issues of the day. Now that Mr Damian Callachor has been questioned in those two august forums—namely, “Inside Cover”, which I am glad to say I have appeared in five or six times, though never too grievously, and from the mouth of Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich, who needs to reassess what is important in the way she spends house time—let me tell members this about Mr Damian Callachor. His current position is as a principal policy adviser in my ministerial office. He was appointed to that position in December 2008. The reason he was appointed to the position is that he brings the skills that I need to help me discharge my ministerial role. He came directly from a position as a senior policy officer with the National Transport Commission. Immediately prior to that, he was a senior policy adviser with Hon Warren Truss, the former federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Other ministers he served immediately prior to that include, I believe, Minister Vaile, Minister Tanner and one or two others — Hon Max Trenorden : Minister Anderson. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes, Minister Anderson was another one. I thank Hon Max Trenorden. Mr Callachor is well thought of in transport circles. That is why he was appointed as my policy adviser, not because he is a hack of some party or other—not the Liberal Party, I might add—but because he is a damned good officer and the sort of person I need to do my job. He stays in that job because he is bloody good at it. That is the reason he is in there. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
(1)-(5) I was a little disturbed to receive some notice of this question. I do not know why we have some on the other side of the house who want to play the man and not the ball, but if they do want to do that, let them come and have a go at me. Rather than come up with some, quite frankly, puerile little question that was sourced from no better source than “Inside Cover” in The West Australian of this morning, which I understand is where the question came from — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Anyway, just give me an answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : There is no denial of that. That apparently shows the level of research that we are receiving about serious issues of the day. Now that Mr Damian Callachor has been questioned in those two august forums—namely, “Inside Cover”, which I am glad to say I have appeared in five or six times, though never too grievously, and from the mouth of Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich, who needs to reassess what is important in the way she spends house time—let me tell members this about Mr Damian Callachor. His current position is as a principal policy adviser in my ministerial office. He was appointed to that position in December 2008. The reason he was appointed to the position is that he brings the skills that I need to help me discharge my ministerial role. He came directly from a position as a senior policy officer with the National Transport Commission. Immediately prior to that, he was a senior policy adviser with Hon Warren Truss, the former federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Other ministers he served immediately prior to that include, I believe, Minister Vaile, Minister Tanner and one or two others — Hon Max Trenorden : Minister Anderson. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes, Minister Anderson was another one. I thank Hon Max Trenorden. Mr Callachor is well thought of in transport circles. That is why he was appointed as my policy adviser, not because he is a hack of some party or other—not the Liberal Party, I might add—but because he is a damned good officer and the sort of person I need to do my job. He stays in that job because he is bloody good at it. That is the reason he is in there. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Anyway, just give me an answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : There is no denial of that. That apparently shows the level of research that we are receiving about serious issues of the day. Now that Mr Damian Callachor has been questioned in those two august forums—namely, “Inside Cover”, which I am glad to say I have appeared in five or six times, though never too grievously, and from the mouth of Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich, who needs to reassess what is important in the way she spends house time—let me tell members this about Mr Damian Callachor. His current position is as a principal policy adviser in my ministerial office. He was appointed to that position in December 2008. The reason he was appointed to the position is that he brings the skills that I need to help me discharge my ministerial role. He came directly from a position as a senior policy officer with the National Transport Commission. Immediately prior to that, he was a senior policy adviser with Hon Warren Truss, the former federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Other ministers he served immediately prior to that include, I believe, Minister Vaile, Minister Tanner and one or two others — Hon Max Trenorden : Minister Anderson. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes, Minister Anderson was another one. I thank Hon Max Trenorden. Mr Callachor is well thought of in transport circles. That is why he was appointed as my policy adviser, not because he is a hack of some party or other—not the Liberal Party, I might add—but because he is a damned good officer and the sort of person I need to do my job. He stays in that job because he is bloody good at it. That is the reason he is in there. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : There is no denial of that. That apparently shows the level of research that we are receiving about serious issues of the day. Now that Mr Damian Callachor has been questioned in those two august forums—namely, “Inside Cover”, which I am glad to say I have appeared in five or six times, though never too grievously, and from the mouth of Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich, who needs to reassess what is important in the way she spends house time—let me tell members this about Mr Damian Callachor. His current position is as a principal policy adviser in my ministerial office. He was appointed to that position in December 2008. The reason he was appointed to the position is that he brings the skills that I need to help me discharge my ministerial role. He came directly from a position as a senior policy officer with the National Transport Commission. Immediately prior to that, he was a senior policy adviser with Hon Warren Truss, the former federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Other ministers he served immediately prior to that include, I believe, Minister Vaile, Minister Tanner and one or two others — Hon Max Trenorden : Minister Anderson. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes, Minister Anderson was another one. I thank Hon Max Trenorden. Mr Callachor is well thought of in transport circles. That is why he was appointed as my policy adviser, not because he is a hack of some party or other—not the Liberal Party, I might add—but because he is a damned good officer and the sort of person I need to do my job. He stays in that job because he is bloody good at it. That is the reason he is in there. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
Hon Max Trenorden : Minister Anderson. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes, Minister Anderson was another one. I thank Hon Max Trenorden. Mr Callachor is well thought of in transport circles. That is why he was appointed as my policy adviser, not because he is a hack of some party or other—not the Liberal Party, I might add—but because he is a damned good officer and the sort of person I need to do my job. He stays in that job because he is bloody good at it. That is the reason he is in there. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes, Minister Anderson was another one. I thank Hon Max Trenorden. Mr Callachor is well thought of in transport circles. That is why he was appointed as my policy adviser, not because he is a hack of some party or other—not the Liberal Party, I might add—but because he is a damned good officer and the sort of person I need to do my job. He stays in that job because he is bloody good at it. That is the reason he is in there. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
(1) What is Mr Callachor’s current position in government and for how long has he held that position? (2) What technical expertise does Mr Damian Callachor bring to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group? (3) Does Mr Damian Callachor have any formal qualifications in transport or planning; and, if yes, what are those qualifications? (4) What was the selection process used to appoint Mr Callachor to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group? (5) Why was Mr Callachor chosen to be on such an important group? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: (1)-(5) I was a little disturbed to receive some notice of this question. I do not know why we have some on the other side of the house who want to play the man and not the ball, but if they do want to do that, let them come and have a go at me. Rather than come up with some, quite frankly, puerile little question that was sourced from no better source than “Inside Cover” in The West Australian of this morning, which I understand is where the question came from — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Anyway, just give me an answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : There is no denial of that. That apparently shows the level of research that we are receiving about serious issues of the day. Now that Mr Damian Callachor has been questioned in those two august forums—namely, “Inside Cover”, which I am glad to say I have appeared in five or six times, though never too grievously, and from the mouth of Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich, who needs to reassess what is important in the way she spends house time—let me tell members this about Mr Damian Callachor. His current position is as a principal policy adviser in my ministerial office. He was appointed to that position in December 2008. The reason he was appointed to the position is that he brings the skills that I need to help me discharge my ministerial role. He came directly from a position as a senior policy officer with the National Transport Commission. Immediately prior to that, he was a senior policy adviser with Hon Warren Truss, the former federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Other ministers he served immediately prior to that include, I believe, Minister Vaile, Minister Tanner and one or two others — Hon Max Trenorden : Minister Anderson. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes, Minister Anderson was another one. I thank Hon Max Trenorden. Mr Callachor is well thought of in transport circles. That is why he was appointed as my policy adviser, not because he is a hack of some party or other—not the Liberal Party, I might add—but because he is a damned good officer and the sort of person I need to do my job. He stays in that job because he is bloody good at it. That is the reason he is in there. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
(2) What technical expertise does Mr Damian Callachor bring to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group? (3) Does Mr Damian Callachor have any formal qualifications in transport or planning; and, if yes, what are those qualifications? (4) What was the selection process used to appoint Mr Callachor to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group? (5) Why was Mr Callachor chosen to be on such an important group? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: (1)-(5) I was a little disturbed to receive some notice of this question. I do not know why we have some on the other side of the house who want to play the man and not the ball, but if they do want to do that, let them come and have a go at me. Rather than come up with some, quite frankly, puerile little question that was sourced from no better source than “Inside Cover” in The West Australian of this morning, which I understand is where the question came from — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Anyway, just give me an answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : There is no denial of that. That apparently shows the level of research that we are receiving about serious issues of the day. Now that Mr Damian Callachor has been questioned in those two august forums—namely, “Inside Cover”, which I am glad to say I have appeared in five or six times, though never too grievously, and from the mouth of Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich, who needs to reassess what is important in the way she spends house time—let me tell members this about Mr Damian Callachor. His current position is as a principal policy adviser in my ministerial office. He was appointed to that position in December 2008. The reason he was appointed to the position is that he brings the skills that I need to help me discharge my ministerial role. He came directly from a position as a senior policy officer with the National Transport Commission. Immediately prior to that, he was a senior policy adviser with Hon Warren Truss, the former federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Other ministers he served immediately prior to that include, I believe, Minister Vaile, Minister Tanner and one or two others — Hon Max Trenorden : Minister Anderson. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes, Minister Anderson was another one. I thank Hon Max Trenorden. Mr Callachor is well thought of in transport circles. That is why he was appointed as my policy adviser, not because he is a hack of some party or other—not the Liberal Party, I might add—but because he is a damned good officer and the sort of person I need to do my job. He stays in that job because he is bloody good at it. That is the reason he is in there. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
(3) Does Mr Damian Callachor have any formal qualifications in transport or planning; and, if yes, what are those qualifications? (4) What was the selection process used to appoint Mr Callachor to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group? (5) Why was Mr Callachor chosen to be on such an important group? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: (1)-(5) I was a little disturbed to receive some notice of this question. I do not know why we have some on the other side of the house who want to play the man and not the ball, but if they do want to do that, let them come and have a go at me. Rather than come up with some, quite frankly, puerile little question that was sourced from no better source than “Inside Cover” in The West Australian of this morning, which I understand is where the question came from — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Anyway, just give me an answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : There is no denial of that. That apparently shows the level of research that we are receiving about serious issues of the day. Now that Mr Damian Callachor has been questioned in those two august forums—namely, “Inside Cover”, which I am glad to say I have appeared in five or six times, though never too grievously, and from the mouth of Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich, who needs to reassess what is important in the way she spends house time—let me tell members this about Mr Damian Callachor. His current position is as a principal policy adviser in my ministerial office. He was appointed to that position in December 2008. The reason he was appointed to the position is that he brings the skills that I need to help me discharge my ministerial role. He came directly from a position as a senior policy officer with the National Transport Commission. Immediately prior to that, he was a senior policy adviser with Hon Warren Truss, the former federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Other ministers he served immediately prior to that include, I believe, Minister Vaile, Minister Tanner and one or two others — Hon Max Trenorden : Minister Anderson. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes, Minister Anderson was another one. I thank Hon Max Trenorden. Mr Callachor is well thought of in transport circles. That is why he was appointed as my policy adviser, not because he is a hack of some party or other—not the Liberal Party, I might add—but because he is a damned good officer and the sort of person I need to do my job. He stays in that job because he is bloody good at it. That is the reason he is in there. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
(4) What was the selection process used to appoint Mr Callachor to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group? (5) Why was Mr Callachor chosen to be on such an important group? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: (1)-(5) I was a little disturbed to receive some notice of this question. I do not know why we have some on the other side of the house who want to play the man and not the ball, but if they do want to do that, let them come and have a go at me. Rather than come up with some, quite frankly, puerile little question that was sourced from no better source than “Inside Cover” in The West Australian of this morning, which I understand is where the question came from — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Anyway, just give me an answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : There is no denial of that. That apparently shows the level of research that we are receiving about serious issues of the day. Now that Mr Damian Callachor has been questioned in those two august forums—namely, “Inside Cover”, which I am glad to say I have appeared in five or six times, though never too grievously, and from the mouth of Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich, who needs to reassess what is important in the way she spends house time—let me tell members this about Mr Damian Callachor. His current position is as a principal policy adviser in my ministerial office. He was appointed to that position in December 2008. The reason he was appointed to the position is that he brings the skills that I need to help me discharge my ministerial role. He came directly from a position as a senior policy officer with the National Transport Commission. Immediately prior to that, he was a senior policy adviser with Hon Warren Truss, the former federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Other ministers he served immediately prior to that include, I believe, Minister Vaile, Minister Tanner and one or two others — Hon Max Trenorden : Minister Anderson. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes, Minister Anderson was another one. I thank Hon Max Trenorden. Mr Callachor is well thought of in transport circles. That is why he was appointed as my policy adviser, not because he is a hack of some party or other—not the Liberal Party, I might add—but because he is a damned good officer and the sort of person I need to do my job. He stays in that job because he is bloody good at it. That is the reason he is in there. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
(5) Why was Mr Callachor chosen to be on such an important group? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: (1)-(5) I was a little disturbed to receive some notice of this question. I do not know why we have some on the other side of the house who want to play the man and not the ball, but if they do want to do that, let them come and have a go at me. Rather than come up with some, quite frankly, puerile little question that was sourced from no better source than “Inside Cover” in The West Australian of this morning, which I understand is where the question came from — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Anyway, just give me an answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : There is no denial of that. That apparently shows the level of research that we are receiving about serious issues of the day. Now that Mr Damian Callachor has been questioned in those two august forums—namely, “Inside Cover”, which I am glad to say I have appeared in five or six times, though never too grievously, and from the mouth of Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich, who needs to reassess what is important in the way she spends house time—let me tell members this about Mr Damian Callachor. His current position is as a principal policy adviser in my ministerial office. He was appointed to that position in December 2008. The reason he was appointed to the position is that he brings the skills that I need to help me discharge my ministerial role. He came directly from a position as a senior policy officer with the National Transport Commission. Immediately prior to that, he was a senior policy adviser with Hon Warren Truss, the former federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Other ministers he served immediately prior to that include, I believe, Minister Vaile, Minister Tanner and one or two others — Hon Max Trenorden : Minister Anderson. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes, Minister Anderson was another one. I thank Hon Max Trenorden. Mr Callachor is well thought of in transport circles. That is why he was appointed as my policy adviser, not because he is a hack of some party or other—not the Liberal Party, I might add—but because he is a damned good officer and the sort of person I need to do my job. He stays in that job because he is bloody good at it. That is the reason he is in there. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: (1)-(5) I was a little disturbed to receive some notice of this question. I do not know why we have some on the other side of the house who want to play the man and not the ball, but if they do want to do that, let them come and have a go at me. Rather than come up with some, quite frankly, puerile little question that was sourced from no better source than “Inside Cover” in The West Australian of this morning, which I understand is where the question came from — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Anyway, just give me an answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : There is no denial of that. That apparently shows the level of research that we are receiving about serious issues of the day. Now that Mr Damian Callachor has been questioned in those two august forums—namely, “Inside Cover”, which I am glad to say I have appeared in five or six times, though never too grievously, and from the mouth of Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich, who needs to reassess what is important in the way she spends house time—let me tell members this about Mr Damian Callachor. His current position is as a principal policy adviser in my ministerial office. He was appointed to that position in December 2008. The reason he was appointed to the position is that he brings the skills that I need to help me discharge my ministerial role. He came directly from a position as a senior policy officer with the National Transport Commission. Immediately prior to that, he was a senior policy adviser with Hon Warren Truss, the former federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Other ministers he served immediately prior to that include, I believe, Minister Vaile, Minister Tanner and one or two others — Hon Max Trenorden : Minister Anderson. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes, Minister Anderson was another one. I thank Hon Max Trenorden. Mr Callachor is well thought of in transport circles. That is why he was appointed as my policy adviser, not because he is a hack of some party or other—not the Liberal Party, I might add—but because he is a damned good officer and the sort of person I need to do my job. He stays in that job because he is bloody good at it. That is the reason he is in there. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
(1)-(5) I was a little disturbed to receive some notice of this question. I do not know why we have some on the other side of the house who want to play the man and not the ball, but if they do want to do that, let them come and have a go at me. Rather than come up with some, quite frankly, puerile little question that was sourced from no better source than “Inside Cover” in The West Australian of this morning, which I understand is where the question came from — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Anyway, just give me an answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : There is no denial of that. That apparently shows the level of research that we are receiving about serious issues of the day. Now that Mr Damian Callachor has been questioned in those two august forums—namely, “Inside Cover”, which I am glad to say I have appeared in five or six times, though never too grievously, and from the mouth of Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich, who needs to reassess what is important in the way she spends house time—let me tell members this about Mr Damian Callachor. His current position is as a principal policy adviser in my ministerial office. He was appointed to that position in December 2008. The reason he was appointed to the position is that he brings the skills that I need to help me discharge my ministerial role. He came directly from a position as a senior policy officer with the National Transport Commission. Immediately prior to that, he was a senior policy adviser with Hon Warren Truss, the former federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Other ministers he served immediately prior to that include, I believe, Minister Vaile, Minister Tanner and one or two others — Hon Max Trenorden : Minister Anderson. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes, Minister Anderson was another one. I thank Hon Max Trenorden. Mr Callachor is well thought of in transport circles. That is why he was appointed as my policy adviser, not because he is a hack of some party or other—not the Liberal Party, I might add—but because he is a damned good officer and the sort of person I need to do my job. He stays in that job because he is bloody good at it. That is the reason he is in there. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Anyway, just give me an answer. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : There is no denial of that. That apparently shows the level of research that we are receiving about serious issues of the day. Now that Mr Damian Callachor has been questioned in those two august forums—namely, “Inside Cover”, which I am glad to say I have appeared in five or six times, though never too grievously, and from the mouth of Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich, who needs to reassess what is important in the way she spends house time—let me tell members this about Mr Damian Callachor. His current position is as a principal policy adviser in my ministerial office. He was appointed to that position in December 2008. The reason he was appointed to the position is that he brings the skills that I need to help me discharge my ministerial role. He came directly from a position as a senior policy officer with the National Transport Commission. Immediately prior to that, he was a senior policy adviser with Hon Warren Truss, the former federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Other ministers he served immediately prior to that include, I believe, Minister Vaile, Minister Tanner and one or two others — Hon Max Trenorden : Minister Anderson. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes, Minister Anderson was another one. I thank Hon Max Trenorden. Mr Callachor is well thought of in transport circles. That is why he was appointed as my policy adviser, not because he is a hack of some party or other—not the Liberal Party, I might add—but because he is a damned good officer and the sort of person I need to do my job. He stays in that job because he is bloody good at it. That is the reason he is in there. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : There is no denial of that. That apparently shows the level of research that we are receiving about serious issues of the day. Now that Mr Damian Callachor has been questioned in those two august forums—namely, “Inside Cover”, which I am glad to say I have appeared in five or six times, though never too grievously, and from the mouth of Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich, who needs to reassess what is important in the way she spends house time—let me tell members this about Mr Damian Callachor. His current position is as a principal policy adviser in my ministerial office. He was appointed to that position in December 2008. The reason he was appointed to the position is that he brings the skills that I need to help me discharge my ministerial role. He came directly from a position as a senior policy officer with the National Transport Commission. Immediately prior to that, he was a senior policy adviser with Hon Warren Truss, the former federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Other ministers he served immediately prior to that include, I believe, Minister Vaile, Minister Tanner and one or two others — Hon Max Trenorden : Minister Anderson. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes, Minister Anderson was another one. I thank Hon Max Trenorden. Mr Callachor is well thought of in transport circles. That is why he was appointed as my policy adviser, not because he is a hack of some party or other—not the Liberal Party, I might add—but because he is a damned good officer and the sort of person I need to do my job. He stays in that job because he is bloody good at it. That is the reason he is in there. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
Hon Max Trenorden : Minister Anderson. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes, Minister Anderson was another one. I thank Hon Max Trenorden. Mr Callachor is well thought of in transport circles. That is why he was appointed as my policy adviser, not because he is a hack of some party or other—not the Liberal Party, I might add—but because he is a damned good officer and the sort of person I need to do my job. He stays in that job because he is bloody good at it. That is the reason he is in there. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Yes, Minister Anderson was another one. I thank Hon Max Trenorden. Mr Callachor is well thought of in transport circles. That is why he was appointed as my policy adviser, not because he is a hack of some party or other—not the Liberal Party, I might add—but because he is a damned good officer and the sort of person I need to do my job. He stays in that job because he is bloody good at it. That is the reason he is in there. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
The PRESIDENT : Order! There is no need for a point of order. That language is unnecessary and unparliamentary. Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN : Regrets and apologies, Mr President. My staff will know that I stand up for them when they are attacked publicly from a position to which they have no way of responding. The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
The technical expertise that Mr Callachor brings to the Fremantle Ports Optimum Planning Group is forged from that past experience. I cannot tell members exactly what qualifications he has got. I know that he is currently working towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I do not know if he has other formal qualifications. He has years of practical expertise. He has been appointed to that position as my liaison officer; that is what he is there for. The question of whether he has planning qualifications does not matter. He is doing the job in that and a number of other areas because he enjoys my complete confidence, and ultimately the people of Western Australia and the clients of the Department of Transport will be the beneficiaries.
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