❓ Mr. Papalia questions the Minister for Corrective Services regarding a meeting with the former Commissioner, Mr. Johnson, prior to his dismissal. The Minister avoids directly answering some questions and refuses to table his diary.
AnsweredQoN 99Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIVE SERVICES —
RESIGNATION
99. Mr P. PAPALIA to the Minister for Corrective Services :
I refer to the minister's comments in the house yesterday that
he was unable to meet with the former Commissioner of Corrective Services Mr
Ian Johnson due to him being on leave, and to diary conflicts, and to the
minister's commitment to check the relevant weeks in question.
(1) As indicated yesterday, will the minister table his diary for the
period 15 April to 22 April?
(2) What efforts did the minister or his
office make during that period to schedule a meeting with Mr Johnson for that
period?
(3) Can the minister confirm, as he told
Parliament several times yesterday, that he had raised his concerns with the
Premier prior to Mr Johnson's sacking?
RESIGNATION
99. Mr P. PAPALIA to the Minister for Corrective Services :
I refer to the minister's comments in the house yesterday that
he was unable to meet with the former Commissioner of Corrective Services Mr
Ian Johnson due to him being on leave, and to diary conflicts, and to the
minister's commitment to check the relevant weeks in question.
(1) As indicated yesterday, will the minister table his diary for the
period 15 April to 22 April?
(2) What efforts did the minister or his
office make during that period to schedule a meeting with Mr Johnson for that
period?
(3) Can the minister confirm, as he told
Parliament several times yesterday, that he had raised his concerns with the
Premier prior to Mr Johnson's sacking?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) Let me start with the dates
for which Mr Johnson was on leave. I said that after cabinet was sworn in, Mr Johnson
was on leave for about four weeks—28 days. I am sorry; I got it wrong:
it was 26 days. I am informed that Mr Johnson was on leave from 8 March until
15 April, and cabinet was sworn in on 21 March. From 21 March to 15 April equals
26 days, which is two days short of four weeks.
Mr P. Papalia : He was back for a week.
Mr J.M. FRANCIS : I had, in fact, expected to meet Mr Johnson
at Karnet Prison Farm.
Mr P. Papalia interjected.
Mr J.M. FRANCIS : No, this is around 15 April. I expected to
meet Mr Johnson for the first time at Karnet Prison Farm, and that was in
everyone's diary. When I got to Karnet Prison Farm—there is a
plaque there with his and my name on it—I asked where the commissioner
was, and I was told that he would not be coming.
Mr P. Papalia : What date was that?
Mr J.M. FRANCIS : It was Friday, 12 April.
Mr P. Papalia : Were you intending to tell him he was
sacked on that day?
The SPEAKER : The member asked a question that contained three parts. Can the
minister answer the three parts of the question; and please do not have private
conversations across the room.
Mr J.M. FRANCIS : Thank you, Mr Speaker; I am trying very
hard to answer this question.
After cabinet was
sworn in and up to 15 April, 26 days elapsed and not 28 days; and if somehow I
misled someone over those two days, I am sorry. It is close enough to four
weeks for me! What was the other part of your question?
Mr P. Papalia : The first part was —
Will
the minister table his diary for the period of 15 April to 22 April?
Mr J.M. FRANCIS : No, I will not table my diary.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members! Has the minister finished answering?
Mr J.M. Francis : I have.
for which Mr Johnson was on leave. I said that after cabinet was sworn in, Mr Johnson
was on leave for about four weeks—28 days. I am sorry; I got it wrong:
it was 26 days. I am informed that Mr Johnson was on leave from 8 March until
15 April, and cabinet was sworn in on 21 March. From 21 March to 15 April equals
26 days, which is two days short of four weeks.
Mr P. Papalia : He was back for a week.
Mr J.M. FRANCIS : I had, in fact, expected to meet Mr Johnson
at Karnet Prison Farm.
Mr P. Papalia interjected.
Mr J.M. FRANCIS : No, this is around 15 April. I expected to
meet Mr Johnson for the first time at Karnet Prison Farm, and that was in
everyone's diary. When I got to Karnet Prison Farm—there is a
plaque there with his and my name on it—I asked where the commissioner
was, and I was told that he would not be coming.
Mr P. Papalia : What date was that?
Mr J.M. FRANCIS : It was Friday, 12 April.
Mr P. Papalia : Were you intending to tell him he was
sacked on that day?
The SPEAKER : The member asked a question that contained three parts. Can the
minister answer the three parts of the question; and please do not have private
conversations across the room.
Mr J.M. FRANCIS : Thank you, Mr Speaker; I am trying very
hard to answer this question.
After cabinet was
sworn in and up to 15 April, 26 days elapsed and not 28 days; and if somehow I
misled someone over those two days, I am sorry. It is close enough to four
weeks for me! What was the other part of your question?
Mr P. Papalia : The first part was —
Will
the minister table his diary for the period of 15 April to 22 April?
Mr J.M. FRANCIS : No, I will not table my diary.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members! Has the minister finished answering?
Mr J.M. Francis : I have.
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