❓ Dr. Woollard questions the Minister for Education about a section 8 inquiry and alleged corruption involving a departmental official. The Minister avoids directly answering, citing confidentiality, ongoing legal action, and questioning the motives behind the inquiry due to a connection between the person seeking the information and Dr. Woollard's office.
AnsweredQoN 291Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, SECTION 8 INQUIRY 291. Dr WOOLLARD to the Minister for Education: I refer to my earlier questions about the section 8 inquiry conducted by the Department of Education, which included a suspended high school principal. (1) Was evidence of corruption or improper conduct subsequently found concerning a departmental official connected with the case? (2) If so, what did the department do with the evidence? (3) If no action was taken, why not? (4) Why, in the light of such serious allegations, will the minister not table the report? Mr CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for this question. (1)-(4) This is an issue about which I have spoken directly to the member. There is a great difficulty in her approach to this and I will take the opportunity to outline it. A case has been taken against the Department of Education. As part of that case, a number of people have given confidential information to the inquiry, which is included in the report. The person who is seeking this information via the member is not the subject of the inquiry; it is a third person who is related to the person who is the subject of the inquiry. The person who is seeking the information worked on the member’s campaign, and I think he is working in her office; is that correct? Dr Woollard: Yes. Mr CARPENTER: To be quite honest, this is verging on the improper. This is a very sensitive matter. The third person, who probably also went to the then minister, came to me seeking this information, which does not apply to him. I told that person that I could not be of any assistance, and I said the same thing to the member. I think she should re-examine the way she is approaching this issue. It is a very sensitive issue to the department, and it should not be pursued in this way.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, SECTION 8 INQUIRY
I refer to my earlier questions about the section 8 inquiry conducted by the Department of Education, which included a suspended high school principal. (1) Was evidence of corruption or improper conduct subsequently found concerning a departmental official connected with the case? (2) If so, what did the department do with the evidence? (3) If no action was taken, why not? (4) Why, in the light of such serious allegations, will the minister not table the report? Mr CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for this question. (1)-(4) This is an issue about which I have spoken directly to the member. There is a great difficulty in her approach to this and I will take the opportunity to outline it. A case has been taken against the Department of Education. As part of that case, a number of people have given confidential information to the inquiry, which is included in the report. The person who is seeking this information via the member is not the subject of the inquiry; it is a third person who is related to the person who is the subject of the inquiry. The person who is seeking the information worked on the member’s campaign, and I think he is working in her office; is that correct? Dr Woollard: Yes. Mr CARPENTER: To be quite honest, this is verging on the improper. This is a very sensitive matter. The third person, who probably also went to the then minister, came to me seeking this information, which does not apply to him. I told that person that I could not be of any assistance, and I said the same thing to the member. I think she should re-examine the way she is approaching this issue. It is a very sensitive issue to the department, and it should not be pursued in this way.
(1) Was evidence of corruption or improper conduct subsequently found concerning a departmental official connected with the case? (2) If so, what did the department do with the evidence? (3) If no action was taken, why not? (4) Why, in the light of such serious allegations, will the minister not table the report? Mr CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for this question. (1)-(4) This is an issue about which I have spoken directly to the member. There is a great difficulty in her approach to this and I will take the opportunity to outline it. A case has been taken against the Department of Education. As part of that case, a number of people have given confidential information to the inquiry, which is included in the report. The person who is seeking this information via the member is not the subject of the inquiry; it is a third person who is related to the person who is the subject of the inquiry. The person who is seeking the information worked on the member’s campaign, and I think he is working in her office; is that correct? Dr Woollard: Yes. Mr CARPENTER: To be quite honest, this is verging on the improper. This is a very sensitive matter. The third person, who probably also went to the then minister, came to me seeking this information, which does not apply to him. I told that person that I could not be of any assistance, and I said the same thing to the member. I think she should re-examine the way she is approaching this issue. It is a very sensitive issue to the department, and it should not be pursued in this way.
(2) If so, what did the department do with the evidence? (3) If no action was taken, why not? (4) Why, in the light of such serious allegations, will the minister not table the report? Mr CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for this question. (1)-(4) This is an issue about which I have spoken directly to the member. There is a great difficulty in her approach to this and I will take the opportunity to outline it. A case has been taken against the Department of Education. As part of that case, a number of people have given confidential information to the inquiry, which is included in the report. The person who is seeking this information via the member is not the subject of the inquiry; it is a third person who is related to the person who is the subject of the inquiry. The person who is seeking the information worked on the member’s campaign, and I think he is working in her office; is that correct? Dr Woollard: Yes. Mr CARPENTER: To be quite honest, this is verging on the improper. This is a very sensitive matter. The third person, who probably also went to the then minister, came to me seeking this information, which does not apply to him. I told that person that I could not be of any assistance, and I said the same thing to the member. I think she should re-examine the way she is approaching this issue. It is a very sensitive issue to the department, and it should not be pursued in this way.
(3) If no action was taken, why not? (4) Why, in the light of such serious allegations, will the minister not table the report? Mr CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for this question. (1)-(4) This is an issue about which I have spoken directly to the member. There is a great difficulty in her approach to this and I will take the opportunity to outline it. A case has been taken against the Department of Education. As part of that case, a number of people have given confidential information to the inquiry, which is included in the report. The person who is seeking this information via the member is not the subject of the inquiry; it is a third person who is related to the person who is the subject of the inquiry. The person who is seeking the information worked on the member’s campaign, and I think he is working in her office; is that correct? Dr Woollard: Yes. Mr CARPENTER: To be quite honest, this is verging on the improper. This is a very sensitive matter. The third person, who probably also went to the then minister, came to me seeking this information, which does not apply to him. I told that person that I could not be of any assistance, and I said the same thing to the member. I think she should re-examine the way she is approaching this issue. It is a very sensitive issue to the department, and it should not be pursued in this way.
(4) Why, in the light of such serious allegations, will the minister not table the report? Mr CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for this question. (1)-(4) This is an issue about which I have spoken directly to the member. There is a great difficulty in her approach to this and I will take the opportunity to outline it. A case has been taken against the Department of Education. As part of that case, a number of people have given confidential information to the inquiry, which is included in the report. The person who is seeking this information via the member is not the subject of the inquiry; it is a third person who is related to the person who is the subject of the inquiry. The person who is seeking the information worked on the member’s campaign, and I think he is working in her office; is that correct? Dr Woollard: Yes. Mr CARPENTER: To be quite honest, this is verging on the improper. This is a very sensitive matter. The third person, who probably also went to the then minister, came to me seeking this information, which does not apply to him. I told that person that I could not be of any assistance, and I said the same thing to the member. I think she should re-examine the way she is approaching this issue. It is a very sensitive issue to the department, and it should not be pursued in this way.
Mr CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for this question. (1)-(4) This is an issue about which I have spoken directly to the member. There is a great difficulty in her approach to this and I will take the opportunity to outline it. A case has been taken against the Department of Education. As part of that case, a number of people have given confidential information to the inquiry, which is included in the report. The person who is seeking this information via the member is not the subject of the inquiry; it is a third person who is related to the person who is the subject of the inquiry. The person who is seeking the information worked on the member’s campaign, and I think he is working in her office; is that correct? Dr Woollard: Yes. Mr CARPENTER: To be quite honest, this is verging on the improper. This is a very sensitive matter. The third person, who probably also went to the then minister, came to me seeking this information, which does not apply to him. I told that person that I could not be of any assistance, and I said the same thing to the member. I think she should re-examine the way she is approaching this issue. It is a very sensitive issue to the department, and it should not be pursued in this way.
I thank the member for this question. (1)-(4) This is an issue about which I have spoken directly to the member. There is a great difficulty in her approach to this and I will take the opportunity to outline it. A case has been taken against the Department of Education. As part of that case, a number of people have given confidential information to the inquiry, which is included in the report. The person who is seeking this information via the member is not the subject of the inquiry; it is a third person who is related to the person who is the subject of the inquiry. The person who is seeking the information worked on the member’s campaign, and I think he is working in her office; is that correct? Dr Woollard: Yes. Mr CARPENTER: To be quite honest, this is verging on the improper. This is a very sensitive matter. The third person, who probably also went to the then minister, came to me seeking this information, which does not apply to him. I told that person that I could not be of any assistance, and I said the same thing to the member. I think she should re-examine the way she is approaching this issue. It is a very sensitive issue to the department, and it should not be pursued in this way.
(1)-(4) This is an issue about which I have spoken directly to the member. There is a great difficulty in her approach to this and I will take the opportunity to outline it. A case has been taken against the Department of Education. As part of that case, a number of people have given confidential information to the inquiry, which is included in the report. The person who is seeking this information via the member is not the subject of the inquiry; it is a third person who is related to the person who is the subject of the inquiry. The person who is seeking the information worked on the member’s campaign, and I think he is working in her office; is that correct? Dr Woollard: Yes. Mr CARPENTER: To be quite honest, this is verging on the improper. This is a very sensitive matter. The third person, who probably also went to the then minister, came to me seeking this information, which does not apply to him. I told that person that I could not be of any assistance, and I said the same thing to the member. I think she should re-examine the way she is approaching this issue. It is a very sensitive issue to the department, and it should not be pursued in this way.
Dr Woollard: Yes. Mr CARPENTER: To be quite honest, this is verging on the improper. This is a very sensitive matter. The third person, who probably also went to the then minister, came to me seeking this information, which does not apply to him. I told that person that I could not be of any assistance, and I said the same thing to the member. I think she should re-examine the way she is approaching this issue. It is a very sensitive issue to the department, and it should not be pursued in this way.
Mr CARPENTER: To be quite honest, this is verging on the improper. This is a very sensitive matter. The third person, who probably also went to the then minister, came to me seeking this information, which does not apply to him. I told that person that I could not be of any assistance, and I said the same thing to the member. I think she should re-examine the way she is approaching this issue. It is a very sensitive issue to the department, and it should not be pursued in this way.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, SECTION 8 INQUIRY
I refer to my earlier questions about the section 8 inquiry conducted by the Department of Education, which included a suspended high school principal. (1) Was evidence of corruption or improper conduct subsequently found concerning a departmental official connected with the case? (2) If so, what did the department do with the evidence? (3) If no action was taken, why not? (4) Why, in the light of such serious allegations, will the minister not table the report? Mr CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for this question. (1)-(4) This is an issue about which I have spoken directly to the member. There is a great difficulty in her approach to this and I will take the opportunity to outline it. A case has been taken against the Department of Education. As part of that case, a number of people have given confidential information to the inquiry, which is included in the report. The person who is seeking this information via the member is not the subject of the inquiry; it is a third person who is related to the person who is the subject of the inquiry. The person who is seeking the information worked on the member’s campaign, and I think he is working in her office; is that correct? Dr Woollard: Yes. Mr CARPENTER: To be quite honest, this is verging on the improper. This is a very sensitive matter. The third person, who probably also went to the then minister, came to me seeking this information, which does not apply to him. I told that person that I could not be of any assistance, and I said the same thing to the member. I think she should re-examine the way she is approaching this issue. It is a very sensitive issue to the department, and it should not be pursued in this way.
(1) Was evidence of corruption or improper conduct subsequently found concerning a departmental official connected with the case? (2) If so, what did the department do with the evidence? (3) If no action was taken, why not? (4) Why, in the light of such serious allegations, will the minister not table the report? Mr CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for this question. (1)-(4) This is an issue about which I have spoken directly to the member. There is a great difficulty in her approach to this and I will take the opportunity to outline it. A case has been taken against the Department of Education. As part of that case, a number of people have given confidential information to the inquiry, which is included in the report. The person who is seeking this information via the member is not the subject of the inquiry; it is a third person who is related to the person who is the subject of the inquiry. The person who is seeking the information worked on the member’s campaign, and I think he is working in her office; is that correct? Dr Woollard: Yes. Mr CARPENTER: To be quite honest, this is verging on the improper. This is a very sensitive matter. The third person, who probably also went to the then minister, came to me seeking this information, which does not apply to him. I told that person that I could not be of any assistance, and I said the same thing to the member. I think she should re-examine the way she is approaching this issue. It is a very sensitive issue to the department, and it should not be pursued in this way.
(2) If so, what did the department do with the evidence? (3) If no action was taken, why not? (4) Why, in the light of such serious allegations, will the minister not table the report? Mr CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for this question. (1)-(4) This is an issue about which I have spoken directly to the member. There is a great difficulty in her approach to this and I will take the opportunity to outline it. A case has been taken against the Department of Education. As part of that case, a number of people have given confidential information to the inquiry, which is included in the report. The person who is seeking this information via the member is not the subject of the inquiry; it is a third person who is related to the person who is the subject of the inquiry. The person who is seeking the information worked on the member’s campaign, and I think he is working in her office; is that correct? Dr Woollard: Yes. Mr CARPENTER: To be quite honest, this is verging on the improper. This is a very sensitive matter. The third person, who probably also went to the then minister, came to me seeking this information, which does not apply to him. I told that person that I could not be of any assistance, and I said the same thing to the member. I think she should re-examine the way she is approaching this issue. It is a very sensitive issue to the department, and it should not be pursued in this way.
(3) If no action was taken, why not? (4) Why, in the light of such serious allegations, will the minister not table the report? Mr CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for this question. (1)-(4) This is an issue about which I have spoken directly to the member. There is a great difficulty in her approach to this and I will take the opportunity to outline it. A case has been taken against the Department of Education. As part of that case, a number of people have given confidential information to the inquiry, which is included in the report. The person who is seeking this information via the member is not the subject of the inquiry; it is a third person who is related to the person who is the subject of the inquiry. The person who is seeking the information worked on the member’s campaign, and I think he is working in her office; is that correct? Dr Woollard: Yes. Mr CARPENTER: To be quite honest, this is verging on the improper. This is a very sensitive matter. The third person, who probably also went to the then minister, came to me seeking this information, which does not apply to him. I told that person that I could not be of any assistance, and I said the same thing to the member. I think she should re-examine the way she is approaching this issue. It is a very sensitive issue to the department, and it should not be pursued in this way.
(4) Why, in the light of such serious allegations, will the minister not table the report? Mr CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for this question. (1)-(4) This is an issue about which I have spoken directly to the member. There is a great difficulty in her approach to this and I will take the opportunity to outline it. A case has been taken against the Department of Education. As part of that case, a number of people have given confidential information to the inquiry, which is included in the report. The person who is seeking this information via the member is not the subject of the inquiry; it is a third person who is related to the person who is the subject of the inquiry. The person who is seeking the information worked on the member’s campaign, and I think he is working in her office; is that correct? Dr Woollard: Yes. Mr CARPENTER: To be quite honest, this is verging on the improper. This is a very sensitive matter. The third person, who probably also went to the then minister, came to me seeking this information, which does not apply to him. I told that person that I could not be of any assistance, and I said the same thing to the member. I think she should re-examine the way she is approaching this issue. It is a very sensitive issue to the department, and it should not be pursued in this way.
Mr CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for this question. (1)-(4) This is an issue about which I have spoken directly to the member. There is a great difficulty in her approach to this and I will take the opportunity to outline it. A case has been taken against the Department of Education. As part of that case, a number of people have given confidential information to the inquiry, which is included in the report. The person who is seeking this information via the member is not the subject of the inquiry; it is a third person who is related to the person who is the subject of the inquiry. The person who is seeking the information worked on the member’s campaign, and I think he is working in her office; is that correct? Dr Woollard: Yes. Mr CARPENTER: To be quite honest, this is verging on the improper. This is a very sensitive matter. The third person, who probably also went to the then minister, came to me seeking this information, which does not apply to him. I told that person that I could not be of any assistance, and I said the same thing to the member. I think she should re-examine the way she is approaching this issue. It is a very sensitive issue to the department, and it should not be pursued in this way.
I thank the member for this question. (1)-(4) This is an issue about which I have spoken directly to the member. There is a great difficulty in her approach to this and I will take the opportunity to outline it. A case has been taken against the Department of Education. As part of that case, a number of people have given confidential information to the inquiry, which is included in the report. The person who is seeking this information via the member is not the subject of the inquiry; it is a third person who is related to the person who is the subject of the inquiry. The person who is seeking the information worked on the member’s campaign, and I think he is working in her office; is that correct? Dr Woollard: Yes. Mr CARPENTER: To be quite honest, this is verging on the improper. This is a very sensitive matter. The third person, who probably also went to the then minister, came to me seeking this information, which does not apply to him. I told that person that I could not be of any assistance, and I said the same thing to the member. I think she should re-examine the way she is approaching this issue. It is a very sensitive issue to the department, and it should not be pursued in this way.
(1)-(4) This is an issue about which I have spoken directly to the member. There is a great difficulty in her approach to this and I will take the opportunity to outline it. A case has been taken against the Department of Education. As part of that case, a number of people have given confidential information to the inquiry, which is included in the report. The person who is seeking this information via the member is not the subject of the inquiry; it is a third person who is related to the person who is the subject of the inquiry. The person who is seeking the information worked on the member’s campaign, and I think he is working in her office; is that correct? Dr Woollard: Yes. Mr CARPENTER: To be quite honest, this is verging on the improper. This is a very sensitive matter. The third person, who probably also went to the then minister, came to me seeking this information, which does not apply to him. I told that person that I could not be of any assistance, and I said the same thing to the member. I think she should re-examine the way she is approaching this issue. It is a very sensitive issue to the department, and it should not be pursued in this way.
Dr Woollard: Yes. Mr CARPENTER: To be quite honest, this is verging on the improper. This is a very sensitive matter. The third person, who probably also went to the then minister, came to me seeking this information, which does not apply to him. I told that person that I could not be of any assistance, and I said the same thing to the member. I think she should re-examine the way she is approaching this issue. It is a very sensitive issue to the department, and it should not be pursued in this way.
Mr CARPENTER: To be quite honest, this is verging on the improper. This is a very sensitive matter. The third person, who probably also went to the then minister, came to me seeking this information, which does not apply to him. I told that person that I could not be of any assistance, and I said the same thing to the member. I think she should re-examine the way she is approaching this issue. It is a very sensitive issue to the department, and it should not be pursued in this way.
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