❓ Opposition questions the circumstances of Tony Rutherford's departure from the Minister's office and subsequent appointment within the Department of Premier and Cabinet, implying potential preferential treatment. The Minister denies involvement.
AnsweredQoN 410Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
TONY RUTHERFORD — Department of the Premier and Cabinet
I refer to the appointment of Mr Tony Rutherford as an executive director in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. (1) Why did Mr Rutherford leave the minister’s office after stepping down as the minister’s chief of staff, but remains on a higher salary than the minister’s new chief of staff? (2) Did the minister play any role in his new appointment? (3) Did the minister or anyone on her behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet about Mr Rutherford’s tenure in her office? (4) Did the minister or anyone on her behalf speak to the Premier or the Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet about Mr Rutherford taking up a new position in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet? Dr E. CONSTABLE
I refer to the appointment of Mr Tony Rutherford as an executive director in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. (1) Why did Mr Rutherford leave the minister’s office after stepping down as the minister’s chief of staff, but remains on a higher salary than the minister’s new chief of staff? (2) Did the minister play any role in his new appointment? (3) Did the minister or anyone on her behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet about Mr Rutherford’s tenure in her office? (4) Did the minister or anyone on her behalf speak to the Premier or the Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet about Mr Rutherford taking up a new position in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet? Dr E. CONSTABLE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) Can the Leader of the Opposition just tell me the first question again? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did he leave your office after first stepping back as your chief of staff but remain on a higher salary than your new chief of staff? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He remained on my staff as a senior policy officer. That position was created, I think, for him. The second question was my role in — Mr M. McGowan : Why did he leave your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He applied for a job that was advertised. Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
(1) Why did Mr Rutherford leave the minister’s office after stepping down as the minister’s chief of staff, but remains on a higher salary than the minister’s new chief of staff? (2) Did the minister play any role in his new appointment? (3) Did the minister or anyone on her behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet about Mr Rutherford’s tenure in her office? (4) Did the minister or anyone on her behalf speak to the Premier or the Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet about Mr Rutherford taking up a new position in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) Can the Leader of the Opposition just tell me the first question again? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did he leave your office after first stepping back as your chief of staff but remain on a higher salary than your new chief of staff? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He remained on my staff as a senior policy officer. That position was created, I think, for him. The second question was my role in — Mr M. McGowan : Why did he leave your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He applied for a job that was advertised. Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
(2) Did the minister play any role in his new appointment? (3) Did the minister or anyone on her behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet about Mr Rutherford’s tenure in her office? (4) Did the minister or anyone on her behalf speak to the Premier or the Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet about Mr Rutherford taking up a new position in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) Can the Leader of the Opposition just tell me the first question again? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did he leave your office after first stepping back as your chief of staff but remain on a higher salary than your new chief of staff? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He remained on my staff as a senior policy officer. That position was created, I think, for him. The second question was my role in — Mr M. McGowan : Why did he leave your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He applied for a job that was advertised. Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
(3) Did the minister or anyone on her behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet about Mr Rutherford’s tenure in her office? (4) Did the minister or anyone on her behalf speak to the Premier or the Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet about Mr Rutherford taking up a new position in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) Can the Leader of the Opposition just tell me the first question again? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did he leave your office after first stepping back as your chief of staff but remain on a higher salary than your new chief of staff? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He remained on my staff as a senior policy officer. That position was created, I think, for him. The second question was my role in — Mr M. McGowan : Why did he leave your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He applied for a job that was advertised. Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
(4) Did the minister or anyone on her behalf speak to the Premier or the Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet about Mr Rutherford taking up a new position in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) Can the Leader of the Opposition just tell me the first question again? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did he leave your office after first stepping back as your chief of staff but remain on a higher salary than your new chief of staff? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He remained on my staff as a senior policy officer. That position was created, I think, for him. The second question was my role in — Mr M. McGowan : Why did he leave your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He applied for a job that was advertised. Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) Can the Leader of the Opposition just tell me the first question again? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did he leave your office after first stepping back as your chief of staff but remain on a higher salary than your new chief of staff? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He remained on my staff as a senior policy officer. That position was created, I think, for him. The second question was my role in — Mr M. McGowan : Why did he leave your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He applied for a job that was advertised. Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) Can the Leader of the Opposition just tell me the first question again? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did he leave your office after first stepping back as your chief of staff but remain on a higher salary than your new chief of staff? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He remained on my staff as a senior policy officer. That position was created, I think, for him. The second question was my role in — Mr M. McGowan : Why did he leave your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He applied for a job that was advertised. Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
(1)–(4) Can the Leader of the Opposition just tell me the first question again? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did he leave your office after first stepping back as your chief of staff but remain on a higher salary than your new chief of staff? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He remained on my staff as a senior policy officer. That position was created, I think, for him. The second question was my role in — Mr M. McGowan : Why did he leave your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He applied for a job that was advertised. Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did he leave your office after first stepping back as your chief of staff but remain on a higher salary than your new chief of staff? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He remained on my staff as a senior policy officer. That position was created, I think, for him. The second question was my role in — Mr M. McGowan : Why did he leave your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He applied for a job that was advertised. Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : He remained on my staff as a senior policy officer. That position was created, I think, for him. The second question was my role in — Mr M. McGowan : Why did he leave your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He applied for a job that was advertised. Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Mr M. McGowan : Why did he leave your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He applied for a job that was advertised. Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : He applied for a job that was advertised. Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
(1) Why did Mr Rutherford leave the minister’s office after stepping down as the minister’s chief of staff, but remains on a higher salary than the minister’s new chief of staff? (2) Did the minister play any role in his new appointment? (3) Did the minister or anyone on her behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet about Mr Rutherford’s tenure in her office? (4) Did the minister or anyone on her behalf speak to the Premier or the Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet about Mr Rutherford taking up a new position in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) Can the Leader of the Opposition just tell me the first question again? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did he leave your office after first stepping back as your chief of staff but remain on a higher salary than your new chief of staff? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He remained on my staff as a senior policy officer. That position was created, I think, for him. The second question was my role in — Mr M. McGowan : Why did he leave your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He applied for a job that was advertised. Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
(2) Did the minister play any role in his new appointment? (3) Did the minister or anyone on her behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet about Mr Rutherford’s tenure in her office? (4) Did the minister or anyone on her behalf speak to the Premier or the Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet about Mr Rutherford taking up a new position in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) Can the Leader of the Opposition just tell me the first question again? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did he leave your office after first stepping back as your chief of staff but remain on a higher salary than your new chief of staff? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He remained on my staff as a senior policy officer. That position was created, I think, for him. The second question was my role in — Mr M. McGowan : Why did he leave your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He applied for a job that was advertised. Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
(3) Did the minister or anyone on her behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet about Mr Rutherford’s tenure in her office? (4) Did the minister or anyone on her behalf speak to the Premier or the Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet about Mr Rutherford taking up a new position in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) Can the Leader of the Opposition just tell me the first question again? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did he leave your office after first stepping back as your chief of staff but remain on a higher salary than your new chief of staff? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He remained on my staff as a senior policy officer. That position was created, I think, for him. The second question was my role in — Mr M. McGowan : Why did he leave your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He applied for a job that was advertised. Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
(4) Did the minister or anyone on her behalf speak to the Premier or the Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet about Mr Rutherford taking up a new position in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) Can the Leader of the Opposition just tell me the first question again? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did he leave your office after first stepping back as your chief of staff but remain on a higher salary than your new chief of staff? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He remained on my staff as a senior policy officer. That position was created, I think, for him. The second question was my role in — Mr M. McGowan : Why did he leave your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He applied for a job that was advertised. Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) Can the Leader of the Opposition just tell me the first question again? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did he leave your office after first stepping back as your chief of staff but remain on a higher salary than your new chief of staff? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He remained on my staff as a senior policy officer. That position was created, I think, for him. The second question was my role in — Mr M. McGowan : Why did he leave your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He applied for a job that was advertised. Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. (1)–(4) Can the Leader of the Opposition just tell me the first question again? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did he leave your office after first stepping back as your chief of staff but remain on a higher salary than your new chief of staff? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He remained on my staff as a senior policy officer. That position was created, I think, for him. The second question was my role in — Mr M. McGowan : Why did he leave your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He applied for a job that was advertised. Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
(1)–(4) Can the Leader of the Opposition just tell me the first question again? Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did he leave your office after first stepping back as your chief of staff but remain on a higher salary than your new chief of staff? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He remained on my staff as a senior policy officer. That position was created, I think, for him. The second question was my role in — Mr M. McGowan : Why did he leave your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He applied for a job that was advertised. Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did he leave your office after first stepping back as your chief of staff but remain on a higher salary than your new chief of staff? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He remained on my staff as a senior policy officer. That position was created, I think, for him. The second question was my role in — Mr M. McGowan : Why did he leave your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He applied for a job that was advertised. Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : He remained on my staff as a senior policy officer. That position was created, I think, for him. The second question was my role in — Mr M. McGowan : Why did he leave your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He applied for a job that was advertised. Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Mr M. McGowan : Why did he leave your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : He applied for a job that was advertised. Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : He applied for a job that was advertised. Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Mr E.S. Ripper : In order to be able to apply for that job, he first of all had to resign; otherwise, he would’ve been breaching public sector rules. Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : He did resign. He resigned from my office and applied for the position that was advertised. The next question was — Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you play any role in the new appointment? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Did you or anyone acting on your behalf at any time speak to the Premier or the DG about his tenure in your office? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : No. I think the question should be directed to the Premier. It is public sector management — Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Mr E.S. Ripper : This is a person leaving your office. Did you talk to the DG of Premier and Cabinet or the Premier about his tenure in your office? Were you saying to them, “He’s got to go”? Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : No; he chose to apply for a job that was advertised. People do that every day. He resigned from my office and applied for the position.
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