❓ A parliamentary question is raised regarding the appointment of a Labor Party member to a regional manager position in the Department of Indigenous Affairs, questioning the appointee's lack of experience and the exclusion of more qualified candidates. The Minister denies interference and defends the process.
AnsweredQoN 393Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to the recently filled position of regional manager at the goldfields regional office of the Department of Indigenous Affairs and ask - (1) Will the minister explain why his department has appointed to this position the local Labor Party branch president, federal Labor staff member and former Labor Candidate, Mr Paul Browning, who has no apparent background in indigenous affairs? (2) Will the minister explain why at least two applicants for the job, both with a strong background in indigenous affairs, were not granted an interview for this position? (3) Will the minister now commit to reopening the application and selection process and ensure that all suitable applicants are interviewed? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) The answer to the third part of the question is no. This issue came to my attention via the member for Kalgoorlie’s office a day or so ago by the Kalgoorlie Miner with the assertion, if not bold statement, that a jobs-for-the-boys process had been undertaken by me as Minister for Indigenous Affairs to provide Paul Browning with a job. I was somewhat pleased to have the inquiry because it opens up a little window into how the member for Kalgoorlie’s mind works and how his Government works. Mr J.H.D. Day: Answer the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the question. Mr J.H.D. Day: No, you haven’t. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the third part of the question. If the member for Kalgoorlie ever hopes to get into government, he should familiarise himself with the Public Sector Management Act, which prohibits - Mr M.J. Birney: We all know it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
(1) Will the minister explain why his department has appointed to this position the local Labor Party branch president, federal Labor staff member and former Labor Candidate, Mr Paul Browning, who has no apparent background in indigenous affairs? (2) Will the minister explain why at least two applicants for the job, both with a strong background in indigenous affairs, were not granted an interview for this position? (3) Will the minister now commit to reopening the application and selection process and ensure that all suitable applicants are interviewed? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) The answer to the third part of the question is no. This issue came to my attention via the member for Kalgoorlie’s office a day or so ago by the Kalgoorlie Miner with the assertion, if not bold statement, that a jobs-for-the-boys process had been undertaken by me as Minister for Indigenous Affairs to provide Paul Browning with a job. I was somewhat pleased to have the inquiry because it opens up a little window into how the member for Kalgoorlie’s mind works and how his Government works. Mr J.H.D. Day: Answer the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the question. Mr J.H.D. Day: No, you haven’t. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the third part of the question. If the member for Kalgoorlie ever hopes to get into government, he should familiarise himself with the Public Sector Management Act, which prohibits - Mr M.J. Birney: We all know it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
(2) Will the minister explain why at least two applicants for the job, both with a strong background in indigenous affairs, were not granted an interview for this position? (3) Will the minister now commit to reopening the application and selection process and ensure that all suitable applicants are interviewed? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) The answer to the third part of the question is no. This issue came to my attention via the member for Kalgoorlie’s office a day or so ago by the Kalgoorlie Miner with the assertion, if not bold statement, that a jobs-for-the-boys process had been undertaken by me as Minister for Indigenous Affairs to provide Paul Browning with a job. I was somewhat pleased to have the inquiry because it opens up a little window into how the member for Kalgoorlie’s mind works and how his Government works. Mr J.H.D. Day: Answer the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the question. Mr J.H.D. Day: No, you haven’t. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the third part of the question. If the member for Kalgoorlie ever hopes to get into government, he should familiarise himself with the Public Sector Management Act, which prohibits - Mr M.J. Birney: We all know it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
(3) Will the minister now commit to reopening the application and selection process and ensure that all suitable applicants are interviewed? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) The answer to the third part of the question is no. This issue came to my attention via the member for Kalgoorlie’s office a day or so ago by the Kalgoorlie Miner with the assertion, if not bold statement, that a jobs-for-the-boys process had been undertaken by me as Minister for Indigenous Affairs to provide Paul Browning with a job. I was somewhat pleased to have the inquiry because it opens up a little window into how the member for Kalgoorlie’s mind works and how his Government works. Mr J.H.D. Day: Answer the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the question. Mr J.H.D. Day: No, you haven’t. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the third part of the question. If the member for Kalgoorlie ever hopes to get into government, he should familiarise himself with the Public Sector Management Act, which prohibits - Mr M.J. Birney: We all know it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) The answer to the third part of the question is no. This issue came to my attention via the member for Kalgoorlie’s office a day or so ago by the Kalgoorlie Miner with the assertion, if not bold statement, that a jobs-for-the-boys process had been undertaken by me as Minister for Indigenous Affairs to provide Paul Browning with a job. I was somewhat pleased to have the inquiry because it opens up a little window into how the member for Kalgoorlie’s mind works and how his Government works. Mr J.H.D. Day: Answer the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the question. Mr J.H.D. Day: No, you haven’t. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the third part of the question. If the member for Kalgoorlie ever hopes to get into government, he should familiarise himself with the Public Sector Management Act, which prohibits - Mr M.J. Birney: We all know it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
(1)-(3) The answer to the third part of the question is no. This issue came to my attention via the member for Kalgoorlie’s office a day or so ago by the Kalgoorlie Miner with the assertion, if not bold statement, that a jobs-for-the-boys process had been undertaken by me as Minister for Indigenous Affairs to provide Paul Browning with a job. I was somewhat pleased to have the inquiry because it opens up a little window into how the member for Kalgoorlie’s mind works and how his Government works. Mr J.H.D. Day: Answer the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the question. Mr J.H.D. Day: No, you haven’t. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the third part of the question. If the member for Kalgoorlie ever hopes to get into government, he should familiarise himself with the Public Sector Management Act, which prohibits - Mr M.J. Birney: We all know it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
Mr J.H.D. Day: Answer the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the question. Mr J.H.D. Day: No, you haven’t. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the third part of the question. If the member for Kalgoorlie ever hopes to get into government, he should familiarise himself with the Public Sector Management Act, which prohibits - Mr M.J. Birney: We all know it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the question. Mr J.H.D. Day: No, you haven’t. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the third part of the question. If the member for Kalgoorlie ever hopes to get into government, he should familiarise himself with the Public Sector Management Act, which prohibits - Mr M.J. Birney: We all know it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
Mr J.H.D. Day: No, you haven’t. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the third part of the question. If the member for Kalgoorlie ever hopes to get into government, he should familiarise himself with the Public Sector Management Act, which prohibits - Mr M.J. Birney: We all know it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the third part of the question. If the member for Kalgoorlie ever hopes to get into government, he should familiarise himself with the Public Sector Management Act, which prohibits - Mr M.J. Birney: We all know it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
If the member for Kalgoorlie ever hopes to get into government, he should familiarise himself with the Public Sector Management Act, which prohibits - Mr M.J. Birney: We all know it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
Mr M.J. Birney: We all know it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
(1) Will the minister explain why his department has appointed to this position the local Labor Party branch president, federal Labor staff member and former Labor Candidate, Mr Paul Browning, who has no apparent background in indigenous affairs? (2) Will the minister explain why at least two applicants for the job, both with a strong background in indigenous affairs, were not granted an interview for this position? (3) Will the minister now commit to reopening the application and selection process and ensure that all suitable applicants are interviewed? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) The answer to the third part of the question is no. This issue came to my attention via the member for Kalgoorlie’s office a day or so ago by the Kalgoorlie Miner with the assertion, if not bold statement, that a jobs-for-the-boys process had been undertaken by me as Minister for Indigenous Affairs to provide Paul Browning with a job. I was somewhat pleased to have the inquiry because it opens up a little window into how the member for Kalgoorlie’s mind works and how his Government works. Mr J.H.D. Day: Answer the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the question. Mr J.H.D. Day: No, you haven’t. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the third part of the question. If the member for Kalgoorlie ever hopes to get into government, he should familiarise himself with the Public Sector Management Act, which prohibits - Mr M.J. Birney: We all know it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
(2) Will the minister explain why at least two applicants for the job, both with a strong background in indigenous affairs, were not granted an interview for this position? (3) Will the minister now commit to reopening the application and selection process and ensure that all suitable applicants are interviewed? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) The answer to the third part of the question is no. This issue came to my attention via the member for Kalgoorlie’s office a day or so ago by the Kalgoorlie Miner with the assertion, if not bold statement, that a jobs-for-the-boys process had been undertaken by me as Minister for Indigenous Affairs to provide Paul Browning with a job. I was somewhat pleased to have the inquiry because it opens up a little window into how the member for Kalgoorlie’s mind works and how his Government works. Mr J.H.D. Day: Answer the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the question. Mr J.H.D. Day: No, you haven’t. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the third part of the question. If the member for Kalgoorlie ever hopes to get into government, he should familiarise himself with the Public Sector Management Act, which prohibits - Mr M.J. Birney: We all know it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
(3) Will the minister now commit to reopening the application and selection process and ensure that all suitable applicants are interviewed? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) The answer to the third part of the question is no. This issue came to my attention via the member for Kalgoorlie’s office a day or so ago by the Kalgoorlie Miner with the assertion, if not bold statement, that a jobs-for-the-boys process had been undertaken by me as Minister for Indigenous Affairs to provide Paul Browning with a job. I was somewhat pleased to have the inquiry because it opens up a little window into how the member for Kalgoorlie’s mind works and how his Government works. Mr J.H.D. Day: Answer the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the question. Mr J.H.D. Day: No, you haven’t. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the third part of the question. If the member for Kalgoorlie ever hopes to get into government, he should familiarise himself with the Public Sector Management Act, which prohibits - Mr M.J. Birney: We all know it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) The answer to the third part of the question is no. This issue came to my attention via the member for Kalgoorlie’s office a day or so ago by the Kalgoorlie Miner with the assertion, if not bold statement, that a jobs-for-the-boys process had been undertaken by me as Minister for Indigenous Affairs to provide Paul Browning with a job. I was somewhat pleased to have the inquiry because it opens up a little window into how the member for Kalgoorlie’s mind works and how his Government works. Mr J.H.D. Day: Answer the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the question. Mr J.H.D. Day: No, you haven’t. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the third part of the question. If the member for Kalgoorlie ever hopes to get into government, he should familiarise himself with the Public Sector Management Act, which prohibits - Mr M.J. Birney: We all know it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
(1)-(3) The answer to the third part of the question is no. This issue came to my attention via the member for Kalgoorlie’s office a day or so ago by the Kalgoorlie Miner with the assertion, if not bold statement, that a jobs-for-the-boys process had been undertaken by me as Minister for Indigenous Affairs to provide Paul Browning with a job. I was somewhat pleased to have the inquiry because it opens up a little window into how the member for Kalgoorlie’s mind works and how his Government works. Mr J.H.D. Day: Answer the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the question. Mr J.H.D. Day: No, you haven’t. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the third part of the question. If the member for Kalgoorlie ever hopes to get into government, he should familiarise himself with the Public Sector Management Act, which prohibits - Mr M.J. Birney: We all know it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
Mr J.H.D. Day: Answer the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the question. Mr J.H.D. Day: No, you haven’t. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the third part of the question. If the member for Kalgoorlie ever hopes to get into government, he should familiarise himself with the Public Sector Management Act, which prohibits - Mr M.J. Birney: We all know it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the question. Mr J.H.D. Day: No, you haven’t. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the third part of the question. If the member for Kalgoorlie ever hopes to get into government, he should familiarise himself with the Public Sector Management Act, which prohibits - Mr M.J. Birney: We all know it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
Mr J.H.D. Day: No, you haven’t. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the third part of the question. If the member for Kalgoorlie ever hopes to get into government, he should familiarise himself with the Public Sector Management Act, which prohibits - Mr M.J. Birney: We all know it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I have answered the third part of the question. If the member for Kalgoorlie ever hopes to get into government, he should familiarise himself with the Public Sector Management Act, which prohibits - Mr M.J. Birney: We all know it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
If the member for Kalgoorlie ever hopes to get into government, he should familiarise himself with the Public Sector Management Act, which prohibits - Mr M.J. Birney: We all know it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
Mr M.J. Birney: We all know it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It prohibits ministerial interference in employment - Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
Mr M.J. Birney: You do it with a wink and a nod. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Kalgoorlie is hanging himself. He has just said that his view of the Public Sector Management Act is to get around it with a wink and a nod. My view is that should not be done. I do not know whether Paul Browning has been appointed, but, according to the member for Kalgoorlie’s information, he is in the process of being appointed. The process has been totally without reference to me for approval or disapproval, as should be the case. I do not sit in my office and tell the Department of Education, the Department of Sport and Recreation or the Department of Indigenous Affairs who they should appoint to regional positions. That would be a breach of the Public Sector Management Act. I have no intention of second-guessing the Department of Education. Unless I get information to the contrary, the appointment has been or will be made according to due process. It is unfortunate that people like the member for Kalgoorlie, with his track record on indigenous affairs for all to see and read about, seek to interfere in this process.
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