❓ Mr. McGowan questions the Deputy Premier about a report alleging Western Power officials misled a parliamentary committee and oversaw a significant increase in high-salaried staff. The Deputy Premier deflects, citing the report's recent tabling and deferring to the Minister for Energy.
AnsweredQoN 188Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WESTERN POWER —
Standing Committee on Public Administration REPORT
188. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Deputy Premier:
My question is to the acting Premier. I refer to the
Legislative Council report on public administration that has found that
witnesses working for Western Power had misled the parliamentary committee, and
that Western Power officials showed an unsatisfactory knowledge of core
democratic concepts.
(1) Why did
the government allow this same government-owned entity to increase the number
of staff paid over $150 000 per annum from 101 in 2008–09 to 228 in
2010–11?
(2) Given the
damning findings, does the acting Premier think there should have been this
massive 125 per cent increase in the number of people getting paid more than
$150 000 a year in this agency?
(3) What
action will the government be taking as the owner of this entity to ensure that
higher standards are enforced?
Standing Committee on Public Administration REPORT
188. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Deputy Premier:
My question is to the acting Premier. I refer to the
Legislative Council report on public administration that has found that
witnesses working for Western Power had misled the parliamentary committee, and
that Western Power officials showed an unsatisfactory knowledge of core
democratic concepts.
(1) Why did
the government allow this same government-owned entity to increase the number
of staff paid over $150 000 per annum from 101 in 2008–09 to 228 in
2010–11?
(2) Given the
damning findings, does the acting Premier think there should have been this
massive 125 per cent increase in the number of people getting paid more than
$150 000 a year in this agency?
(3) What
action will the government be taking as the owner of this entity to ensure that
higher standards are enforced?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) Can I ask the member
when that report was tabled?
Mr M. McGowan :
Today.
Dr K.D. HAMES :
Clearly, I have not seen the report yet, but my understanding of reports that
are presented to —
Mr
M. McGowan : Everyone else has.
Dr K.D. HAMES : Has
everyone else seen it?
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Thank you, members!
Dr K.D. HAMES : How
many of you guys have seen it? One.
Mr M. McGowan : You're
treating it as a joke!
Dr K.D. HAMES :
Have you read it?
Several members interjected.
Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes—sure.
Everyone else has seen it! What colour is it?
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : One
person has asked the question; I do not expect any other people to be asking
questions at this point. That particular comment is directed to all members in
this place.
Dr K.D. HAMES : The
report was tabled only today. I am sure that the Minister for Energy, who
obviously is in the other place, will be preparing a response to that report
for cabinet to make decisions on what action needs to be taken in relation to
that matter. I am sure he will announce that when he gets there. But as the
member will know, I have been the minister responsible for the Water
Corporation in the past—in fact for four years—and I well
recall, both in opposition and government, going through salary ranges and
salary packages. It is amazing how much those can vary over time, particularly
when people may be just below one salary bracket and move into the next.
Obviously, without having seen those details, I am not in a position to make
further comment, but quite clearly the minister will do that at the appropriate
time.
when that report was tabled?
Mr M. McGowan :
Today.
Dr K.D. HAMES :
Clearly, I have not seen the report yet, but my understanding of reports that
are presented to —
Mr
M. McGowan : Everyone else has.
Dr K.D. HAMES : Has
everyone else seen it?
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Thank you, members!
Dr K.D. HAMES : How
many of you guys have seen it? One.
Mr M. McGowan : You're
treating it as a joke!
Dr K.D. HAMES :
Have you read it?
Several members interjected.
Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes—sure.
Everyone else has seen it! What colour is it?
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : One
person has asked the question; I do not expect any other people to be asking
questions at this point. That particular comment is directed to all members in
this place.
Dr K.D. HAMES : The
report was tabled only today. I am sure that the Minister for Energy, who
obviously is in the other place, will be preparing a response to that report
for cabinet to make decisions on what action needs to be taken in relation to
that matter. I am sure he will announce that when he gets there. But as the
member will know, I have been the minister responsible for the Water
Corporation in the past—in fact for four years—and I well
recall, both in opposition and government, going through salary ranges and
salary packages. It is amazing how much those can vary over time, particularly
when people may be just below one salary bracket and move into the next.
Obviously, without having seen those details, I am not in a position to make
further comment, but quite clearly the minister will do that at the appropriate
time.
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