❓ Hon. Stephen Dawson questions the termination of Robert Hicks as CEO of the Goldfields–Esperance Development Commission, focusing on the reasons for his dismissal and the process followed. The Premier's response cites the Public Sector Management Act and the need for significant change.
AnsweredQoN 130Legislative Council
Asked
27 February 2014
Member
Portfolio
Leader of the House representing the Premier
QuestionView source ↗
ROBERT HICKS — GOLDFIELDS–ESPERANCE
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
130. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the
Leader of the House representing the Premier:
I refer to the answers to questions without notice 30 and 86.
(1) Was there
anything in the Public Sector Commission's examination of the
Goldfields–Esperance Development Commission that referred to the need
to terminate Mr Hicks's contract and who specifically removed Mr Hicks
from his position as the chief executive officer?
(2) Given Mr
Hicks claims that the PSC advised him that there was no suggestion of
misconduct or misappropriation, what is the basis for his termination?
(3) Was the
GEDC board's support of the CEO, as publicly stated by the board's
chair, taken into account when making the termination decision; and, if yes,
why was that advice ignored?
(4) Given Mr
Hicks's merit selection as CEO by the Minister for Regional Development,
the board and the PSC in September 2013, what has substantially changed for
these bodies to lose confidence in Mr Hicks?
(5) Will the
replacement CEO reside full-time in Kalgoorlie or return to Perth on weekends;
and, if so, why was an acting CEO not sourced from within GEDC staff?
The PRESIDENT : I
think some elements of those questions closely resemble a question asked a
couple of days ago, but nevertheless.
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
130. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the
Leader of the House representing the Premier:
I refer to the answers to questions without notice 30 and 86.
(1) Was there
anything in the Public Sector Commission's examination of the
Goldfields–Esperance Development Commission that referred to the need
to terminate Mr Hicks's contract and who specifically removed Mr Hicks
from his position as the chief executive officer?
(2) Given Mr
Hicks claims that the PSC advised him that there was no suggestion of
misconduct or misappropriation, what is the basis for his termination?
(3) Was the
GEDC board's support of the CEO, as publicly stated by the board's
chair, taken into account when making the termination decision; and, if yes,
why was that advice ignored?
(4) Given Mr
Hicks's merit selection as CEO by the Minister for Regional Development,
the board and the PSC in September 2013, what has substantially changed for
these bodies to lose confidence in Mr Hicks?
(5) Will the
replacement CEO reside full-time in Kalgoorlie or return to Perth on weekends;
and, if so, why was an acting CEO not sourced from within GEDC staff?
The PRESIDENT : I
think some elements of those questions closely resemble a question asked a
couple of days ago, but nevertheless.
AnswerView source ↗
I agree. I think I have answered a couple of these questions
but that is fine. I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question. The Public Sector Commission advises —
(1) No; the
employment of Mr Hicks was brought to an end in accordance with section 56(3)
of the Public Sector Management Act 1994 following discussions between the
Public Sector Commissioner and Mr Hicks. Mr Hicks accepted a compensation
payment in accordance with section 59 of the act.
(2)–(4)
After discussions between the minister, the Public Sector Commissioner and the chair
of the GEDC board it was determined that the recommendations of the Public
Sector Commission's examination showed that significant change was
needed and that the GEDC would be best placed with a new chief executive
officer. The chair's views were taken into account.
(5) The acting
chief executive officer, Mr Norm Baker, will reside in Kalgoorlie and return to
Perth periodically. Mr Baker was considered to be the most suitable candidate
to act in the role on this occasion.
but that is fine. I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question. The Public Sector Commission advises —
(1) No; the
employment of Mr Hicks was brought to an end in accordance with section 56(3)
of the Public Sector Management Act 1994 following discussions between the
Public Sector Commissioner and Mr Hicks. Mr Hicks accepted a compensation
payment in accordance with section 59 of the act.
(2)–(4)
After discussions between the minister, the Public Sector Commissioner and the chair
of the GEDC board it was determined that the recommendations of the Public
Sector Commission's examination showed that significant change was
needed and that the GEDC would be best placed with a new chief executive
officer. The chair's views were taken into account.
(5) The acting
chief executive officer, Mr Norm Baker, will reside in Kalgoorlie and return to
Perth periodically. Mr Baker was considered to be the most suitable candidate
to act in the role on this occasion.
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