❓ Question raises concerns about CTF CEO's travel expenses, reporting, and sponsorships, questioning their alignment with the CTF Act and value for taxpayers. The Minister's response defends the CEO's actions and the CTF's spending, citing strategic plans and compliance with regulations.
AnsweredQoN 180Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) I refer to the visits by the CEO (Ms Tiffany Allen) of the Construction Training Fund (CTF) to Singapore in June 2023 and to Europe from 19 June 2024 to 4 July 2024,and I ask: (a) Why the CEO flew to London on 19 June 2024, to commence the INSEAD training in Paris on 24 June; (b) Why not fly direct to Paris in order to attend to her professional development; (c) Given the Minister's office was contacted by Teams link on Friday morning, why was it necessary to be in London at that time; (d) Can you confirm that a Minister's office Teams link did actually occur at 3:30-4:30pm on Friday 21 June 2024? Please provide the Teams link code; (e) Can you confirm who attended the CEO CTF and Considerate Constructors meeting on 21 June 2024 and where this meeting took place; (f) Given the INSEAD training course finished on Friday 28 June 2024, what government business did the CEO complete in Paris during the period Mon 1 to Tues 2 July 2024; (g) Did the WA tax payer foot the bill for the private days during the trip namely, 22 -23 June and 1-2 July? If so, why and at what cost; (h) Why didn't the CEO submit a study trip report for her trip to Paris for INSEAD in late June 2024 given the cost of $46,538, (as she did for Singapore in 2023); (i) Does the Minister deem it appropriate for CEO of agencies within her responsibility at a combined cost of $23,037 (Singapore June 2023) and $46,538 (Paris June 2024) to not submit a full written report for such extensive travel and costly professional development; (j) Does the Minister think the PowerPoint submitted by the CEO to her board, post her trip to Singapore 2023, represents a full and proper discussion and analysis of the issues facing the CTF and the immersion in the INSEAD - adequate for a person in the highly remunerated role of CEO; and (k) Has the CEO completed or planning any further travel overseas since the visit to Paris in June 2024? (2) What is the business case pursuant to the Building and Construction Industry Training Fund and Levy Collection Act 1990 (the CTF Act) for the CTF to provide naming rights to baseball Under 21s (Nov 23), at a cost of $10,000? Why Baseball, given its very low profile in WA: (a) Does or did any member of the CTF executive, board or staff have children or direct relations play or train with Under 21s Baseball in WA in the last 5 years; and (b) Has this sponsorship continued in 2023, 2024 or 2025? (3) What was the business case for the CTF pursuant to the CTF Act to sponsor the Perth Colts Football League in March 2023 for $50,000: (a) Has this Colts Football sponsorship continued in 2024 and 2025; (b) What benefits if any did the executive or board receive in return for this sponsorship, including attendance at AFL or other premier events; and (c) Were any members of the executive, senior management or board members associated with by having family members play or train with the Perth Colts or declare any associated conflicts of interest, during the period of the sponsorship? (4) Why has the CTF deemed to sponsor these two men's sport entities when it should be appealing to encourage more women into the construction industry? (5) What sporting bodies does the CTF currently sponsor or plan to sponsor in 2025-2026? (6) What direct benefit to WA tax payers can the Minister ascribe pursuant to the aims of the CFT Act that would arise from the sponsorships? (7) How does the Minister justify the doubling of consultants fees for the CTF from $518,978 in 2022-23 to $1,137,060 in Mar 23-Oct 24: (a) Why would the CTF outsource to Deloitte Access Economics the development of a Construction Workforce Training Model for $98,576, when this work is the core business of the CTF; (b) Why was a second Workforce Training Model triggered with Dr Karin Mathison for $57,806; (c) What was the nature of the probity advice provided by 2020 Global Pty Ltd for $4320? Please provide a summary of this report and reason why the advice was sought? What was nature of the risk to launch this review; (d) What was the nature of the probity advice provided by Australian Audit Pty Ltd for $1800? What was the nature of the risk to launch this review; (e) What was the nature of the 2024 Statutory Review pursuant to the payment of $64,000 to Affinity Consulting and then again in 2024 to Thomas Dixon for $147,000? What risk event or events were triggered to engage with each provider in such a short period of time; and (f) Can the Minister assure the public that all engagement with outside consultants by CTF in 2023-2025 was in accordance with WA supply and tender arrangements? If any were not, which items did not conform and why not? (8) Given the CTF Annual Report has a clearly designated KPI , referring to KPI 1.2 and the notes on page 97 of the most recent Annual Report has the CTF addressed the specific administration costs of the Building and Construction Industry Training Board to now be at or below target, as postulated in the footnotes? If not why not? (9) Given the admin costs per person, as per the most recent Annual Report KPI 1.3, are $67.93 vs the target of $28 (and this trend has been maintained for the last 3 years), what measures will be or have been taken in the current financial year to reduce this poor KPI? (Especially noting the written assurances provided that these costs will be remediated in 2024/-25? (10) Is the Minister satisfied that the CEO and board have been acting strictly in accordance with the Public Sector Standards of Accountable and Ethical Decision Making, personal probity, adherence to the terms of the CTF Act, procurement standards and CEO accountability to prescribed KPIs?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
20 August 2025
Responded by
Minister for Skills and TAFE
Response time
12 days
(1) (a)-(k)
There were no direct flights from Perth to Paris available at the time of the professional development training. Prior to the training, the CEO attended scheduled meetings in London, including with representatives of the Considerate Constructors Scheme. The CTF regularly engages with the Ministerial Office, including via flexible arrangements when required.
The CEO did not claim private expenses for Saturday 22 June 2024 and engaged in remote working arrangements throughout the period of travel.
The CEO has not completed, nor is planning, any further international travel as a representative of the CTF.
(2) The Board’s 2021-25 Strategic Plan includes community sponsorships as an action to increase the number of skilled workers in the building and construction industry, in line with the CTF Act.
These sponsorships have assisted engagement at the community level alongside other CTF attraction and retention programs to promote career, development and training opportunities in the building and construction industry.
(a) No.
(b) No.
(3) Refer to answer (2).
(a) No.
(b) None.
(c) No.
(4) CTF has sponsored both men’s and women’s sporting organisations. Women play baseball, and the U21s Baseball Competition was not restricted to male players.
(5) CTF is not currently sponsoring any sporting organisations.
(6) Refer to answer (2).
(7) (a)-(f)
CTF engages the technical skills, experience and knowledge of external consultants as appropriate to support modelling, the procurement of contractors, and evaluations of CTF programs in the Western Australian building and construction industry.
CTF’s consultant fees for 2023-24 includes the appointment of an independent consultant, Mr Tom Dixon, to undertake the 2024 Statutory Review of the Act, which is required every five years. Affinity Consulting provided actuarial services for the Review.
All engagement with external consultants is conducted in accordance with the Western Australian Procurement Rules.
(8) The notes on page 97 of the 2023-24 Annual Report in relation to Efficiency KPI 1.2 acknowledge that higher-than-target costs are related to administrative reforms designed to deliver longer-term efficiencies for processing of claims to support employers, apprentices and trainees and enhanced user experience for these customers. The investment in information technology to achieve these efficiencies continued in 2024-25.
(9) The notes on page 98 of the Board’s 2023-24 Annual Report in relation to Efficiency KPI 1.3 acknowledge that higher-than-target costs are related to administrative reforms designed to deliver longer-term efficiencies for processing claims to support skills training and deliver enhanced user experience for customers. The Board’s investment in information technology to achieve these efficiencies is continuing.
(10) The CTF is required to comply with the Western Australian Public Sector Standards and Western Australian Public Sector Code of Ethics, as required under the Public Sector Management Act 1994 . Employees are also subject to the CTF Code of Conduct which prescribes mandatory standards of behaviour, conduct and integrity.
As per answer (7), a Statutory Review of the operation and effectiveness of the Act has been undertaken. The final report of the review has been received, and the Minister is considering the findings before releasing a response.
There were no direct flights from Perth to Paris available at the time of the professional development training. Prior to the training, the CEO attended scheduled meetings in London, including with representatives of the Considerate Constructors Scheme. The CTF regularly engages with the Ministerial Office, including via flexible arrangements when required.
The CEO did not claim private expenses for Saturday 22 June 2024 and engaged in remote working arrangements throughout the period of travel.
The CEO has not completed, nor is planning, any further international travel as a representative of the CTF.
(2) The Board’s 2021-25 Strategic Plan includes community sponsorships as an action to increase the number of skilled workers in the building and construction industry, in line with the CTF Act.
These sponsorships have assisted engagement at the community level alongside other CTF attraction and retention programs to promote career, development and training opportunities in the building and construction industry.
(a) No.
(b) No.
(3) Refer to answer (2).
(a) No.
(b) None.
(c) No.
(4) CTF has sponsored both men’s and women’s sporting organisations. Women play baseball, and the U21s Baseball Competition was not restricted to male players.
(5) CTF is not currently sponsoring any sporting organisations.
(6) Refer to answer (2).
(7) (a)-(f)
CTF engages the technical skills, experience and knowledge of external consultants as appropriate to support modelling, the procurement of contractors, and evaluations of CTF programs in the Western Australian building and construction industry.
CTF’s consultant fees for 2023-24 includes the appointment of an independent consultant, Mr Tom Dixon, to undertake the 2024 Statutory Review of the Act, which is required every five years. Affinity Consulting provided actuarial services for the Review.
All engagement with external consultants is conducted in accordance with the Western Australian Procurement Rules.
(8) The notes on page 97 of the 2023-24 Annual Report in relation to Efficiency KPI 1.2 acknowledge that higher-than-target costs are related to administrative reforms designed to deliver longer-term efficiencies for processing of claims to support employers, apprentices and trainees and enhanced user experience for these customers. The investment in information technology to achieve these efficiencies continued in 2024-25.
(9) The notes on page 98 of the Board’s 2023-24 Annual Report in relation to Efficiency KPI 1.3 acknowledge that higher-than-target costs are related to administrative reforms designed to deliver longer-term efficiencies for processing claims to support skills training and deliver enhanced user experience for customers. The Board’s investment in information technology to achieve these efficiencies is continuing.
(10) The CTF is required to comply with the Western Australian Public Sector Standards and Western Australian Public Sector Code of Ethics, as required under the Public Sector Management Act 1994 . Employees are also subject to the CTF Code of Conduct which prescribes mandatory standards of behaviour, conduct and integrity.
As per answer (7), a Statutory Review of the operation and effectiveness of the Act has been undertaken. The final report of the review has been received, and the Minister is considering the findings before releasing a response.
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