❓ A parliamentary question probes the Minister regarding his media advisor's communication with GWN television about the Town of Port Hedland's financial situation. The Minister's response defends his advisor and highlights the council's improved financial position.
AnsweredQoN 570Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to a fax sent yesterday by his media adviser Steve Keogh to GWN television concerning the financial problems facing the Town of Port Hedland. (1) Did the minister approve of his media adviser’s actions before Mr Keogh contacted GWN television? (2) Did the minister approve of the message to be conveyed to the media by his adviser? (3) Did the minister ensure that his media adviser fairly presented a response by Port Hedland council to issues raised by his department and highlighted on the fax sent out by his adviser? (4) What action would the minister take if it is shown that his media adviser had misrepresented the Port Hedland council? Hon TOM STEPHENS
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(4) I have no tolerance at all for anyone spreading any misinformation about the finances of the Town of Port Hedland. I am very pleased to have total confidence in my media adviser who would not spread anything that could in any way constitute misinformation about the Town of Port Hedland. I understand that yesterday the rate setting notice from the Town of Port Hedland special meeting held on Monday night was made available to some members of the media in preparation for a discussion about the Town of Port Hedland’s finances. What is important is that people stop spreading misinformation about those finances and stick to the facts. Contained within that rate setting notice was an indication that the Town of Port Hedland was facing a budget surplus in 2003-04 of $1.4 million. This council came to me some 12 months ago seeking an opportunity to run a deficit for that same period of $1.2 million. We have seen a turnaround in the affairs of that council of nearly $2.7 million between the deficit it sought and the budget surplus it ran. I do not think it is acceptable for anyone to spread misinformation about that council and I will not tolerate it.
(1) Did the minister approve of his media adviser’s actions before Mr Keogh contacted GWN television? (2) Did the minister approve of the message to be conveyed to the media by his adviser? (3) Did the minister ensure that his media adviser fairly presented a response by Port Hedland council to issues raised by his department and highlighted on the fax sent out by his adviser? (4) What action would the minister take if it is shown that his media adviser had misrepresented the Port Hedland council? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(4) I have no tolerance at all for anyone spreading any misinformation about the finances of the Town of Port Hedland. I am very pleased to have total confidence in my media adviser who would not spread anything that could in any way constitute misinformation about the Town of Port Hedland. I understand that yesterday the rate setting notice from the Town of Port Hedland special meeting held on Monday night was made available to some members of the media in preparation for a discussion about the Town of Port Hedland’s finances. What is important is that people stop spreading misinformation about those finances and stick to the facts. Contained within that rate setting notice was an indication that the Town of Port Hedland was facing a budget surplus in 2003-04 of $1.4 million. This council came to me some 12 months ago seeking an opportunity to run a deficit for that same period of $1.2 million. We have seen a turnaround in the affairs of that council of nearly $2.7 million between the deficit it sought and the budget surplus it ran. I do not think it is acceptable for anyone to spread misinformation about that council and I will not tolerate it.
(2) Did the minister approve of the message to be conveyed to the media by his adviser? (3) Did the minister ensure that his media adviser fairly presented a response by Port Hedland council to issues raised by his department and highlighted on the fax sent out by his adviser? (4) What action would the minister take if it is shown that his media adviser had misrepresented the Port Hedland council? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(4) I have no tolerance at all for anyone spreading any misinformation about the finances of the Town of Port Hedland. I am very pleased to have total confidence in my media adviser who would not spread anything that could in any way constitute misinformation about the Town of Port Hedland. I understand that yesterday the rate setting notice from the Town of Port Hedland special meeting held on Monday night was made available to some members of the media in preparation for a discussion about the Town of Port Hedland’s finances. What is important is that people stop spreading misinformation about those finances and stick to the facts. Contained within that rate setting notice was an indication that the Town of Port Hedland was facing a budget surplus in 2003-04 of $1.4 million. This council came to me some 12 months ago seeking an opportunity to run a deficit for that same period of $1.2 million. We have seen a turnaround in the affairs of that council of nearly $2.7 million between the deficit it sought and the budget surplus it ran. I do not think it is acceptable for anyone to spread misinformation about that council and I will not tolerate it.
(3) Did the minister ensure that his media adviser fairly presented a response by Port Hedland council to issues raised by his department and highlighted on the fax sent out by his adviser? (4) What action would the minister take if it is shown that his media adviser had misrepresented the Port Hedland council? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(4) I have no tolerance at all for anyone spreading any misinformation about the finances of the Town of Port Hedland. I am very pleased to have total confidence in my media adviser who would not spread anything that could in any way constitute misinformation about the Town of Port Hedland. I understand that yesterday the rate setting notice from the Town of Port Hedland special meeting held on Monday night was made available to some members of the media in preparation for a discussion about the Town of Port Hedland’s finances. What is important is that people stop spreading misinformation about those finances and stick to the facts. Contained within that rate setting notice was an indication that the Town of Port Hedland was facing a budget surplus in 2003-04 of $1.4 million. This council came to me some 12 months ago seeking an opportunity to run a deficit for that same period of $1.2 million. We have seen a turnaround in the affairs of that council of nearly $2.7 million between the deficit it sought and the budget surplus it ran. I do not think it is acceptable for anyone to spread misinformation about that council and I will not tolerate it.
(4) What action would the minister take if it is shown that his media adviser had misrepresented the Port Hedland council? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(4) I have no tolerance at all for anyone spreading any misinformation about the finances of the Town of Port Hedland. I am very pleased to have total confidence in my media adviser who would not spread anything that could in any way constitute misinformation about the Town of Port Hedland. I understand that yesterday the rate setting notice from the Town of Port Hedland special meeting held on Monday night was made available to some members of the media in preparation for a discussion about the Town of Port Hedland’s finances. What is important is that people stop spreading misinformation about those finances and stick to the facts. Contained within that rate setting notice was an indication that the Town of Port Hedland was facing a budget surplus in 2003-04 of $1.4 million. This council came to me some 12 months ago seeking an opportunity to run a deficit for that same period of $1.2 million. We have seen a turnaround in the affairs of that council of nearly $2.7 million between the deficit it sought and the budget surplus it ran. I do not think it is acceptable for anyone to spread misinformation about that council and I will not tolerate it.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(4) I have no tolerance at all for anyone spreading any misinformation about the finances of the Town of Port Hedland. I am very pleased to have total confidence in my media adviser who would not spread anything that could in any way constitute misinformation about the Town of Port Hedland. I understand that yesterday the rate setting notice from the Town of Port Hedland special meeting held on Monday night was made available to some members of the media in preparation for a discussion about the Town of Port Hedland’s finances. What is important is that people stop spreading misinformation about those finances and stick to the facts. Contained within that rate setting notice was an indication that the Town of Port Hedland was facing a budget surplus in 2003-04 of $1.4 million. This council came to me some 12 months ago seeking an opportunity to run a deficit for that same period of $1.2 million. We have seen a turnaround in the affairs of that council of nearly $2.7 million between the deficit it sought and the budget surplus it ran. I do not think it is acceptable for anyone to spread misinformation about that council and I will not tolerate it.
(1)-(4) I have no tolerance at all for anyone spreading any misinformation about the finances of the Town of Port Hedland. I am very pleased to have total confidence in my media adviser who would not spread anything that could in any way constitute misinformation about the Town of Port Hedland. I understand that yesterday the rate setting notice from the Town of Port Hedland special meeting held on Monday night was made available to some members of the media in preparation for a discussion about the Town of Port Hedland’s finances. What is important is that people stop spreading misinformation about those finances and stick to the facts. Contained within that rate setting notice was an indication that the Town of Port Hedland was facing a budget surplus in 2003-04 of $1.4 million. This council came to me some 12 months ago seeking an opportunity to run a deficit for that same period of $1.2 million. We have seen a turnaround in the affairs of that council of nearly $2.7 million between the deficit it sought and the budget surplus it ran. I do not think it is acceptable for anyone to spread misinformation about that council and I will not tolerate it.
(1) Did the minister approve of his media adviser’s actions before Mr Keogh contacted GWN television? (2) Did the minister approve of the message to be conveyed to the media by his adviser? (3) Did the minister ensure that his media adviser fairly presented a response by Port Hedland council to issues raised by his department and highlighted on the fax sent out by his adviser? (4) What action would the minister take if it is shown that his media adviser had misrepresented the Port Hedland council? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(4) I have no tolerance at all for anyone spreading any misinformation about the finances of the Town of Port Hedland. I am very pleased to have total confidence in my media adviser who would not spread anything that could in any way constitute misinformation about the Town of Port Hedland. I understand that yesterday the rate setting notice from the Town of Port Hedland special meeting held on Monday night was made available to some members of the media in preparation for a discussion about the Town of Port Hedland’s finances. What is important is that people stop spreading misinformation about those finances and stick to the facts. Contained within that rate setting notice was an indication that the Town of Port Hedland was facing a budget surplus in 2003-04 of $1.4 million. This council came to me some 12 months ago seeking an opportunity to run a deficit for that same period of $1.2 million. We have seen a turnaround in the affairs of that council of nearly $2.7 million between the deficit it sought and the budget surplus it ran. I do not think it is acceptable for anyone to spread misinformation about that council and I will not tolerate it.
(2) Did the minister approve of the message to be conveyed to the media by his adviser? (3) Did the minister ensure that his media adviser fairly presented a response by Port Hedland council to issues raised by his department and highlighted on the fax sent out by his adviser? (4) What action would the minister take if it is shown that his media adviser had misrepresented the Port Hedland council? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(4) I have no tolerance at all for anyone spreading any misinformation about the finances of the Town of Port Hedland. I am very pleased to have total confidence in my media adviser who would not spread anything that could in any way constitute misinformation about the Town of Port Hedland. I understand that yesterday the rate setting notice from the Town of Port Hedland special meeting held on Monday night was made available to some members of the media in preparation for a discussion about the Town of Port Hedland’s finances. What is important is that people stop spreading misinformation about those finances and stick to the facts. Contained within that rate setting notice was an indication that the Town of Port Hedland was facing a budget surplus in 2003-04 of $1.4 million. This council came to me some 12 months ago seeking an opportunity to run a deficit for that same period of $1.2 million. We have seen a turnaround in the affairs of that council of nearly $2.7 million between the deficit it sought and the budget surplus it ran. I do not think it is acceptable for anyone to spread misinformation about that council and I will not tolerate it.
(3) Did the minister ensure that his media adviser fairly presented a response by Port Hedland council to issues raised by his department and highlighted on the fax sent out by his adviser? (4) What action would the minister take if it is shown that his media adviser had misrepresented the Port Hedland council? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(4) I have no tolerance at all for anyone spreading any misinformation about the finances of the Town of Port Hedland. I am very pleased to have total confidence in my media adviser who would not spread anything that could in any way constitute misinformation about the Town of Port Hedland. I understand that yesterday the rate setting notice from the Town of Port Hedland special meeting held on Monday night was made available to some members of the media in preparation for a discussion about the Town of Port Hedland’s finances. What is important is that people stop spreading misinformation about those finances and stick to the facts. Contained within that rate setting notice was an indication that the Town of Port Hedland was facing a budget surplus in 2003-04 of $1.4 million. This council came to me some 12 months ago seeking an opportunity to run a deficit for that same period of $1.2 million. We have seen a turnaround in the affairs of that council of nearly $2.7 million between the deficit it sought and the budget surplus it ran. I do not think it is acceptable for anyone to spread misinformation about that council and I will not tolerate it.
(4) What action would the minister take if it is shown that his media adviser had misrepresented the Port Hedland council? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(4) I have no tolerance at all for anyone spreading any misinformation about the finances of the Town of Port Hedland. I am very pleased to have total confidence in my media adviser who would not spread anything that could in any way constitute misinformation about the Town of Port Hedland. I understand that yesterday the rate setting notice from the Town of Port Hedland special meeting held on Monday night was made available to some members of the media in preparation for a discussion about the Town of Port Hedland’s finances. What is important is that people stop spreading misinformation about those finances and stick to the facts. Contained within that rate setting notice was an indication that the Town of Port Hedland was facing a budget surplus in 2003-04 of $1.4 million. This council came to me some 12 months ago seeking an opportunity to run a deficit for that same period of $1.2 million. We have seen a turnaround in the affairs of that council of nearly $2.7 million between the deficit it sought and the budget surplus it ran. I do not think it is acceptable for anyone to spread misinformation about that council and I will not tolerate it.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(4) I have no tolerance at all for anyone spreading any misinformation about the finances of the Town of Port Hedland. I am very pleased to have total confidence in my media adviser who would not spread anything that could in any way constitute misinformation about the Town of Port Hedland. I understand that yesterday the rate setting notice from the Town of Port Hedland special meeting held on Monday night was made available to some members of the media in preparation for a discussion about the Town of Port Hedland’s finances. What is important is that people stop spreading misinformation about those finances and stick to the facts. Contained within that rate setting notice was an indication that the Town of Port Hedland was facing a budget surplus in 2003-04 of $1.4 million. This council came to me some 12 months ago seeking an opportunity to run a deficit for that same period of $1.2 million. We have seen a turnaround in the affairs of that council of nearly $2.7 million between the deficit it sought and the budget surplus it ran. I do not think it is acceptable for anyone to spread misinformation about that council and I will not tolerate it.
(1)-(4) I have no tolerance at all for anyone spreading any misinformation about the finances of the Town of Port Hedland. I am very pleased to have total confidence in my media adviser who would not spread anything that could in any way constitute misinformation about the Town of Port Hedland. I understand that yesterday the rate setting notice from the Town of Port Hedland special meeting held on Monday night was made available to some members of the media in preparation for a discussion about the Town of Port Hedland’s finances. What is important is that people stop spreading misinformation about those finances and stick to the facts. Contained within that rate setting notice was an indication that the Town of Port Hedland was facing a budget surplus in 2003-04 of $1.4 million. This council came to me some 12 months ago seeking an opportunity to run a deficit for that same period of $1.2 million. We have seen a turnaround in the affairs of that council of nearly $2.7 million between the deficit it sought and the budget surplus it ran. I do not think it is acceptable for anyone to spread misinformation about that council and I will not tolerate it.
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