❓ A parliamentary question probes discrepancies regarding when the Minister for Education and Training was informed about issues within the Balga Works program. The Premier deflects, questioning the reliability of media reports and suggesting the question be directed to the Minister.
AnsweredQoN 923Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
BALGA WORKS PROGRAM
I refer to comments the Premier made in this chamber yesterday about the Balga Works program; namely, in May 2006 the minister’s office was made aware that a number of employees of the Balga Works program had not received payments on time. I also refer to the report in today’s The West Australian that Mr Keith Newton, acting director general, schools, in the department stated that the minister raised concerns about the program in October 2005, and the department acted immediately. (1) Can the Premier please explain the discrepancy between his comments and those of Mr Newton? (2) When was the Minister for Education and Training first made aware of the problems with the Balga Works program? Was it October 2005 or May 2006? (3) How can the comments made by the Premier and Mr Newton be reconciled with the minister’s comments in Parliament last Thursday that she was “aware in very general terms” of problems with the Balga Works program? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
I refer to comments the Premier made in this chamber yesterday about the Balga Works program; namely, in May 2006 the minister’s office was made aware that a number of employees of the Balga Works program had not received payments on time. I also refer to the report in today’s The West Australian that Mr Keith Newton, acting director general, schools, in the department stated that the minister raised concerns about the program in October 2005, and the department acted immediately. (1) Can the Premier please explain the discrepancy between his comments and those of Mr Newton? (2) When was the Minister for Education and Training first made aware of the problems with the Balga Works program? Was it October 2005 or May 2006? (3) How can the comments made by the Premier and Mr Newton be reconciled with the minister’s comments in Parliament last Thursday that she was “aware in very general terms” of problems with the Balga Works program? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) First of all, I do not believe anything I read in The West Australian newspaper. I have said before that I even double check the football scores to make sure they are right. In relation to the reported comments, I have no comment whatsoever. Mr J.H.D. Day : So you don’t believe Keith Newton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have said I do not accept anything The West Australian prints as fact, and I have not had any direct advice from Mr Newton. I had the advice from the Department of Education and Training yesterday, which I faithfully reported to the Parliament. In relation to the questions about the state of knowledge of the Minister for Education and Training, may I suggest the member direct his questions to her or her representative.
(1) Can the Premier please explain the discrepancy between his comments and those of Mr Newton? (2) When was the Minister for Education and Training first made aware of the problems with the Balga Works program? Was it October 2005 or May 2006? (3) How can the comments made by the Premier and Mr Newton be reconciled with the minister’s comments in Parliament last Thursday that she was “aware in very general terms” of problems with the Balga Works program? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) First of all, I do not believe anything I read in The West Australian newspaper. I have said before that I even double check the football scores to make sure they are right. In relation to the reported comments, I have no comment whatsoever. Mr J.H.D. Day : So you don’t believe Keith Newton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have said I do not accept anything The West Australian prints as fact, and I have not had any direct advice from Mr Newton. I had the advice from the Department of Education and Training yesterday, which I faithfully reported to the Parliament. In relation to the questions about the state of knowledge of the Minister for Education and Training, may I suggest the member direct his questions to her or her representative.
(2) When was the Minister for Education and Training first made aware of the problems with the Balga Works program? Was it October 2005 or May 2006? (3) How can the comments made by the Premier and Mr Newton be reconciled with the minister’s comments in Parliament last Thursday that she was “aware in very general terms” of problems with the Balga Works program? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) First of all, I do not believe anything I read in The West Australian newspaper. I have said before that I even double check the football scores to make sure they are right. In relation to the reported comments, I have no comment whatsoever. Mr J.H.D. Day : So you don’t believe Keith Newton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have said I do not accept anything The West Australian prints as fact, and I have not had any direct advice from Mr Newton. I had the advice from the Department of Education and Training yesterday, which I faithfully reported to the Parliament. In relation to the questions about the state of knowledge of the Minister for Education and Training, may I suggest the member direct his questions to her or her representative.
(3) How can the comments made by the Premier and Mr Newton be reconciled with the minister’s comments in Parliament last Thursday that she was “aware in very general terms” of problems with the Balga Works program? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) First of all, I do not believe anything I read in The West Australian newspaper. I have said before that I even double check the football scores to make sure they are right. In relation to the reported comments, I have no comment whatsoever. Mr J.H.D. Day : So you don’t believe Keith Newton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have said I do not accept anything The West Australian prints as fact, and I have not had any direct advice from Mr Newton. I had the advice from the Department of Education and Training yesterday, which I faithfully reported to the Parliament. In relation to the questions about the state of knowledge of the Minister for Education and Training, may I suggest the member direct his questions to her or her representative.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) First of all, I do not believe anything I read in The West Australian newspaper. I have said before that I even double check the football scores to make sure they are right. In relation to the reported comments, I have no comment whatsoever. Mr J.H.D. Day : So you don’t believe Keith Newton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have said I do not accept anything The West Australian prints as fact, and I have not had any direct advice from Mr Newton. I had the advice from the Department of Education and Training yesterday, which I faithfully reported to the Parliament. In relation to the questions about the state of knowledge of the Minister for Education and Training, may I suggest the member direct his questions to her or her representative.
(1)-(3) First of all, I do not believe anything I read in The West Australian newspaper. I have said before that I even double check the football scores to make sure they are right. In relation to the reported comments, I have no comment whatsoever. Mr J.H.D. Day : So you don’t believe Keith Newton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have said I do not accept anything The West Australian prints as fact, and I have not had any direct advice from Mr Newton. I had the advice from the Department of Education and Training yesterday, which I faithfully reported to the Parliament. In relation to the questions about the state of knowledge of the Minister for Education and Training, may I suggest the member direct his questions to her or her representative.
Mr J.H.D. Day : So you don’t believe Keith Newton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have said I do not accept anything The West Australian prints as fact, and I have not had any direct advice from Mr Newton. I had the advice from the Department of Education and Training yesterday, which I faithfully reported to the Parliament. In relation to the questions about the state of knowledge of the Minister for Education and Training, may I suggest the member direct his questions to her or her representative.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have said I do not accept anything The West Australian prints as fact, and I have not had any direct advice from Mr Newton. I had the advice from the Department of Education and Training yesterday, which I faithfully reported to the Parliament. In relation to the questions about the state of knowledge of the Minister for Education and Training, may I suggest the member direct his questions to her or her representative.
(1) Can the Premier please explain the discrepancy between his comments and those of Mr Newton? (2) When was the Minister for Education and Training first made aware of the problems with the Balga Works program? Was it October 2005 or May 2006? (3) How can the comments made by the Premier and Mr Newton be reconciled with the minister’s comments in Parliament last Thursday that she was “aware in very general terms” of problems with the Balga Works program? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) First of all, I do not believe anything I read in The West Australian newspaper. I have said before that I even double check the football scores to make sure they are right. In relation to the reported comments, I have no comment whatsoever. Mr J.H.D. Day : So you don’t believe Keith Newton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have said I do not accept anything The West Australian prints as fact, and I have not had any direct advice from Mr Newton. I had the advice from the Department of Education and Training yesterday, which I faithfully reported to the Parliament. In relation to the questions about the state of knowledge of the Minister for Education and Training, may I suggest the member direct his questions to her or her representative.
(2) When was the Minister for Education and Training first made aware of the problems with the Balga Works program? Was it October 2005 or May 2006? (3) How can the comments made by the Premier and Mr Newton be reconciled with the minister’s comments in Parliament last Thursday that she was “aware in very general terms” of problems with the Balga Works program? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) First of all, I do not believe anything I read in The West Australian newspaper. I have said before that I even double check the football scores to make sure they are right. In relation to the reported comments, I have no comment whatsoever. Mr J.H.D. Day : So you don’t believe Keith Newton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have said I do not accept anything The West Australian prints as fact, and I have not had any direct advice from Mr Newton. I had the advice from the Department of Education and Training yesterday, which I faithfully reported to the Parliament. In relation to the questions about the state of knowledge of the Minister for Education and Training, may I suggest the member direct his questions to her or her representative.
(3) How can the comments made by the Premier and Mr Newton be reconciled with the minister’s comments in Parliament last Thursday that she was “aware in very general terms” of problems with the Balga Works program? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) First of all, I do not believe anything I read in The West Australian newspaper. I have said before that I even double check the football scores to make sure they are right. In relation to the reported comments, I have no comment whatsoever. Mr J.H.D. Day : So you don’t believe Keith Newton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have said I do not accept anything The West Australian prints as fact, and I have not had any direct advice from Mr Newton. I had the advice from the Department of Education and Training yesterday, which I faithfully reported to the Parliament. In relation to the questions about the state of knowledge of the Minister for Education and Training, may I suggest the member direct his questions to her or her representative.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) First of all, I do not believe anything I read in The West Australian newspaper. I have said before that I even double check the football scores to make sure they are right. In relation to the reported comments, I have no comment whatsoever. Mr J.H.D. Day : So you don’t believe Keith Newton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have said I do not accept anything The West Australian prints as fact, and I have not had any direct advice from Mr Newton. I had the advice from the Department of Education and Training yesterday, which I faithfully reported to the Parliament. In relation to the questions about the state of knowledge of the Minister for Education and Training, may I suggest the member direct his questions to her or her representative.
(1)-(3) First of all, I do not believe anything I read in The West Australian newspaper. I have said before that I even double check the football scores to make sure they are right. In relation to the reported comments, I have no comment whatsoever. Mr J.H.D. Day : So you don’t believe Keith Newton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have said I do not accept anything The West Australian prints as fact, and I have not had any direct advice from Mr Newton. I had the advice from the Department of Education and Training yesterday, which I faithfully reported to the Parliament. In relation to the questions about the state of knowledge of the Minister for Education and Training, may I suggest the member direct his questions to her or her representative.
Mr J.H.D. Day : So you don’t believe Keith Newton? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have said I do not accept anything The West Australian prints as fact, and I have not had any direct advice from Mr Newton. I had the advice from the Department of Education and Training yesterday, which I faithfully reported to the Parliament. In relation to the questions about the state of knowledge of the Minister for Education and Training, may I suggest the member direct his questions to her or her representative.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have said I do not accept anything The West Australian prints as fact, and I have not had any direct advice from Mr Newton. I had the advice from the Department of Education and Training yesterday, which I faithfully reported to the Parliament. In relation to the questions about the state of knowledge of the Minister for Education and Training, may I suggest the member direct his questions to her or her representative.
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