❓ Mr. Cook questions the delay in appointing a new Chief Scientist after Professor Beazley's departure. The Minister responds, outlining the process and expected timeline for a new appointment.
AnsweredQoN 115Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CHIEF
SCIENTIST — APPOINTMENT
115. Mr R.H. COOK to the
Minister for Science:
I refer to the position of Chief Scientist, which became
vacant in December 2013 at the expiry of Professor Lyn Beazley's term.
(1) When was the Premier made aware that Professor Beazley's
position was becoming vacant?
(2) Why has the Premier not made a new appointment to this
position?
(3) Has the Premier advertised for this position?
(4) When will the Premier be appointing a new Chief Scientist
for Western Australia?
SCIENTIST — APPOINTMENT
115. Mr R.H. COOK to the
Minister for Science:
I refer to the position of Chief Scientist, which became
vacant in December 2013 at the expiry of Professor Lyn Beazley's term.
(1) When was the Premier made aware that Professor Beazley's
position was becoming vacant?
(2) Why has the Premier not made a new appointment to this
position?
(3) Has the Premier advertised for this position?
(4) When will the Premier be appointing a new Chief Scientist
for Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(4)
I became aware of Professor Lyn Beazley's decision to step down from
the position a couple of weeks before she announced it, and I thanked her and
congratulated her on the five or so years, perhaps longer, during which she was
in that position. She did a good job as Chief Scientist, particularly with
schoolchildren around the state. So obviously a new appointment needs to be
made. An approach has been made to one person, who considered it but finally
declined because of the pressure of other responsibilities. Negotiations, or I
guess discussions, have taken place with a couple of other candidates. I would
hope it would be finalised over the coming weeks and the new Chief Scientist
would be announced.
I became aware of Professor Lyn Beazley's decision to step down from
the position a couple of weeks before she announced it, and I thanked her and
congratulated her on the five or so years, perhaps longer, during which she was
in that position. She did a good job as Chief Scientist, particularly with
schoolchildren around the state. So obviously a new appointment needs to be
made. An approach has been made to one person, who considered it but finally
declined because of the pressure of other responsibilities. Negotiations, or I
guess discussions, have taken place with a couple of other candidates. I would
hope it would be finalised over the coming weeks and the new Chief Scientist
would be announced.
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