❓ Opposition questions the Premier about government departments spending $70,000 on public relations companies to prepare submissions for the Premier's Awards, given budget constraints and other pressing needs. The Premier defends the expenditure, highlighting the importance of recognising excellence in the public sector.
AnsweredQoN 60Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PREMIER’S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC SECTOR MANAGEMENT — ENGAGEMENT OF PUBLIC RELATIONS COMPANIES
I refer to the fact that last year government departments collectively spent $70 000 to hire public relations companies to prepare submissions for the Premier’s Awards. Although the opposition acknowledges the role of the awards in identifying excellence in the public sector, I ask, on the same day that we learn that the government has blown its budget by $750 000 million — (1) How does the Premier justify government departments spending $70 000 of taxpayers’ money to win a government award when our hospitals are in crisis, when parents are shifting their kids to private schools in droves and when police officers are being bashed in the streets? (2) Would the government prefer that money to be spent on self-promotion, or would it have been better spent on 230 hand-held metal detectors, 100 stab-proof vests or 150 riot helmets for the police? (3) Will the Premier immediately ban the use of external consultants by government agencies to prepare submissions for future Premier’s Awards; and, if not, why not? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
I refer to the fact that last year government departments collectively spent $70 000 to hire public relations companies to prepare submissions for the Premier’s Awards. Although the opposition acknowledges the role of the awards in identifying excellence in the public sector, I ask, on the same day that we learn that the government has blown its budget by $750 000 million — (1) How does the Premier justify government departments spending $70 000 of taxpayers’ money to win a government award when our hospitals are in crisis, when parents are shifting their kids to private schools in droves and when police officers are being bashed in the streets? (2) Would the government prefer that money to be spent on self-promotion, or would it have been better spent on 230 hand-held metal detectors, 100 stab-proof vests or 150 riot helmets for the police? (3) Will the Premier immediately ban the use of external consultants by government agencies to prepare submissions for future Premier’s Awards; and, if not, why not? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I am amazed—indeed astonished—that the opposition’s number one question was a question about a $70 000 expenditure across government to promote awards that recognise outstanding achievements in government. I believe, I could be incorrect, that the awards were established by Richard Court when he was Premier. They are very good awards, as a way to promote and recognise excellence in the public sector. That is a good thing, particularly when we have an economy that is so strong that it is difficult to attract and retain enough people in the public sector to fulfil the government’s agenda and to deliver services when and where we would like them delivered. The departments spent $70 000 to promote the concept. Mr T. Buswell : That money did not promote it, Premier. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am sure that the vast majority of people, particularly those who work in the public sector, believe that that $70 000 was being well applied. If that is the best the opposition has, the opposition is where Tom Percy says it is—at rock bottom.
(1) How does the Premier justify government departments spending $70 000 of taxpayers’ money to win a government award when our hospitals are in crisis, when parents are shifting their kids to private schools in droves and when police officers are being bashed in the streets? (2) Would the government prefer that money to be spent on self-promotion, or would it have been better spent on 230 hand-held metal detectors, 100 stab-proof vests or 150 riot helmets for the police? (3) Will the Premier immediately ban the use of external consultants by government agencies to prepare submissions for future Premier’s Awards; and, if not, why not? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I am amazed—indeed astonished—that the opposition’s number one question was a question about a $70 000 expenditure across government to promote awards that recognise outstanding achievements in government. I believe, I could be incorrect, that the awards were established by Richard Court when he was Premier. They are very good awards, as a way to promote and recognise excellence in the public sector. That is a good thing, particularly when we have an economy that is so strong that it is difficult to attract and retain enough people in the public sector to fulfil the government’s agenda and to deliver services when and where we would like them delivered. The departments spent $70 000 to promote the concept. Mr T. Buswell : That money did not promote it, Premier. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am sure that the vast majority of people, particularly those who work in the public sector, believe that that $70 000 was being well applied. If that is the best the opposition has, the opposition is where Tom Percy says it is—at rock bottom.
(2) Would the government prefer that money to be spent on self-promotion, or would it have been better spent on 230 hand-held metal detectors, 100 stab-proof vests or 150 riot helmets for the police? (3) Will the Premier immediately ban the use of external consultants by government agencies to prepare submissions for future Premier’s Awards; and, if not, why not? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I am amazed—indeed astonished—that the opposition’s number one question was a question about a $70 000 expenditure across government to promote awards that recognise outstanding achievements in government. I believe, I could be incorrect, that the awards were established by Richard Court when he was Premier. They are very good awards, as a way to promote and recognise excellence in the public sector. That is a good thing, particularly when we have an economy that is so strong that it is difficult to attract and retain enough people in the public sector to fulfil the government’s agenda and to deliver services when and where we would like them delivered. The departments spent $70 000 to promote the concept. Mr T. Buswell : That money did not promote it, Premier. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am sure that the vast majority of people, particularly those who work in the public sector, believe that that $70 000 was being well applied. If that is the best the opposition has, the opposition is where Tom Percy says it is—at rock bottom.
(3) Will the Premier immediately ban the use of external consultants by government agencies to prepare submissions for future Premier’s Awards; and, if not, why not? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I am amazed—indeed astonished—that the opposition’s number one question was a question about a $70 000 expenditure across government to promote awards that recognise outstanding achievements in government. I believe, I could be incorrect, that the awards were established by Richard Court when he was Premier. They are very good awards, as a way to promote and recognise excellence in the public sector. That is a good thing, particularly when we have an economy that is so strong that it is difficult to attract and retain enough people in the public sector to fulfil the government’s agenda and to deliver services when and where we would like them delivered. The departments spent $70 000 to promote the concept. Mr T. Buswell : That money did not promote it, Premier. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am sure that the vast majority of people, particularly those who work in the public sector, believe that that $70 000 was being well applied. If that is the best the opposition has, the opposition is where Tom Percy says it is—at rock bottom.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I am amazed—indeed astonished—that the opposition’s number one question was a question about a $70 000 expenditure across government to promote awards that recognise outstanding achievements in government. I believe, I could be incorrect, that the awards were established by Richard Court when he was Premier. They are very good awards, as a way to promote and recognise excellence in the public sector. That is a good thing, particularly when we have an economy that is so strong that it is difficult to attract and retain enough people in the public sector to fulfil the government’s agenda and to deliver services when and where we would like them delivered. The departments spent $70 000 to promote the concept. Mr T. Buswell : That money did not promote it, Premier. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am sure that the vast majority of people, particularly those who work in the public sector, believe that that $70 000 was being well applied. If that is the best the opposition has, the opposition is where Tom Percy says it is—at rock bottom.
(1)-(3) I am amazed—indeed astonished—that the opposition’s number one question was a question about a $70 000 expenditure across government to promote awards that recognise outstanding achievements in government. I believe, I could be incorrect, that the awards were established by Richard Court when he was Premier. They are very good awards, as a way to promote and recognise excellence in the public sector. That is a good thing, particularly when we have an economy that is so strong that it is difficult to attract and retain enough people in the public sector to fulfil the government’s agenda and to deliver services when and where we would like them delivered. The departments spent $70 000 to promote the concept. Mr T. Buswell : That money did not promote it, Premier. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am sure that the vast majority of people, particularly those who work in the public sector, believe that that $70 000 was being well applied. If that is the best the opposition has, the opposition is where Tom Percy says it is—at rock bottom.
Mr T. Buswell : That money did not promote it, Premier. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am sure that the vast majority of people, particularly those who work in the public sector, believe that that $70 000 was being well applied. If that is the best the opposition has, the opposition is where Tom Percy says it is—at rock bottom.
The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am sure that the vast majority of people, particularly those who work in the public sector, believe that that $70 000 was being well applied. If that is the best the opposition has, the opposition is where Tom Percy says it is—at rock bottom.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am sure that the vast majority of people, particularly those who work in the public sector, believe that that $70 000 was being well applied. If that is the best the opposition has, the opposition is where Tom Percy says it is—at rock bottom.
(1) How does the Premier justify government departments spending $70 000 of taxpayers’ money to win a government award when our hospitals are in crisis, when parents are shifting their kids to private schools in droves and when police officers are being bashed in the streets? (2) Would the government prefer that money to be spent on self-promotion, or would it have been better spent on 230 hand-held metal detectors, 100 stab-proof vests or 150 riot helmets for the police? (3) Will the Premier immediately ban the use of external consultants by government agencies to prepare submissions for future Premier’s Awards; and, if not, why not? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I am amazed—indeed astonished—that the opposition’s number one question was a question about a $70 000 expenditure across government to promote awards that recognise outstanding achievements in government. I believe, I could be incorrect, that the awards were established by Richard Court when he was Premier. They are very good awards, as a way to promote and recognise excellence in the public sector. That is a good thing, particularly when we have an economy that is so strong that it is difficult to attract and retain enough people in the public sector to fulfil the government’s agenda and to deliver services when and where we would like them delivered. The departments spent $70 000 to promote the concept. Mr T. Buswell : That money did not promote it, Premier. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am sure that the vast majority of people, particularly those who work in the public sector, believe that that $70 000 was being well applied. If that is the best the opposition has, the opposition is where Tom Percy says it is—at rock bottom.
(2) Would the government prefer that money to be spent on self-promotion, or would it have been better spent on 230 hand-held metal detectors, 100 stab-proof vests or 150 riot helmets for the police? (3) Will the Premier immediately ban the use of external consultants by government agencies to prepare submissions for future Premier’s Awards; and, if not, why not? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I am amazed—indeed astonished—that the opposition’s number one question was a question about a $70 000 expenditure across government to promote awards that recognise outstanding achievements in government. I believe, I could be incorrect, that the awards were established by Richard Court when he was Premier. They are very good awards, as a way to promote and recognise excellence in the public sector. That is a good thing, particularly when we have an economy that is so strong that it is difficult to attract and retain enough people in the public sector to fulfil the government’s agenda and to deliver services when and where we would like them delivered. The departments spent $70 000 to promote the concept. Mr T. Buswell : That money did not promote it, Premier. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am sure that the vast majority of people, particularly those who work in the public sector, believe that that $70 000 was being well applied. If that is the best the opposition has, the opposition is where Tom Percy says it is—at rock bottom.
(3) Will the Premier immediately ban the use of external consultants by government agencies to prepare submissions for future Premier’s Awards; and, if not, why not? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I am amazed—indeed astonished—that the opposition’s number one question was a question about a $70 000 expenditure across government to promote awards that recognise outstanding achievements in government. I believe, I could be incorrect, that the awards were established by Richard Court when he was Premier. They are very good awards, as a way to promote and recognise excellence in the public sector. That is a good thing, particularly when we have an economy that is so strong that it is difficult to attract and retain enough people in the public sector to fulfil the government’s agenda and to deliver services when and where we would like them delivered. The departments spent $70 000 to promote the concept. Mr T. Buswell : That money did not promote it, Premier. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am sure that the vast majority of people, particularly those who work in the public sector, believe that that $70 000 was being well applied. If that is the best the opposition has, the opposition is where Tom Percy says it is—at rock bottom.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I am amazed—indeed astonished—that the opposition’s number one question was a question about a $70 000 expenditure across government to promote awards that recognise outstanding achievements in government. I believe, I could be incorrect, that the awards were established by Richard Court when he was Premier. They are very good awards, as a way to promote and recognise excellence in the public sector. That is a good thing, particularly when we have an economy that is so strong that it is difficult to attract and retain enough people in the public sector to fulfil the government’s agenda and to deliver services when and where we would like them delivered. The departments spent $70 000 to promote the concept. Mr T. Buswell : That money did not promote it, Premier. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am sure that the vast majority of people, particularly those who work in the public sector, believe that that $70 000 was being well applied. If that is the best the opposition has, the opposition is where Tom Percy says it is—at rock bottom.
(1)-(3) I am amazed—indeed astonished—that the opposition’s number one question was a question about a $70 000 expenditure across government to promote awards that recognise outstanding achievements in government. I believe, I could be incorrect, that the awards were established by Richard Court when he was Premier. They are very good awards, as a way to promote and recognise excellence in the public sector. That is a good thing, particularly when we have an economy that is so strong that it is difficult to attract and retain enough people in the public sector to fulfil the government’s agenda and to deliver services when and where we would like them delivered. The departments spent $70 000 to promote the concept. Mr T. Buswell : That money did not promote it, Premier. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am sure that the vast majority of people, particularly those who work in the public sector, believe that that $70 000 was being well applied. If that is the best the opposition has, the opposition is where Tom Percy says it is—at rock bottom.
Mr T. Buswell : That money did not promote it, Premier. The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am sure that the vast majority of people, particularly those who work in the public sector, believe that that $70 000 was being well applied. If that is the best the opposition has, the opposition is where Tom Percy says it is—at rock bottom.
The SPEAKER : Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am sure that the vast majority of people, particularly those who work in the public sector, believe that that $70 000 was being well applied. If that is the best the opposition has, the opposition is where Tom Percy says it is—at rock bottom.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am sure that the vast majority of people, particularly those who work in the public sector, believe that that $70 000 was being well applied. If that is the best the opposition has, the opposition is where Tom Percy says it is—at rock bottom.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.