House of Assembly: Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Contents

COMMISSIONER FOR SOCIAL INCLUSION

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg) (15:07): My question is also—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I warn the Leader of the Opposition.

Ms CHAPMAN: My question is also to the Premier. Why did the Premier give the social inclusion commissioner, Monsignor David Cappo, a 15 per cent pay rise one month after the state election last year at a time when public servants were being asked to accept far smaller pay rises and significant Public Service cuts were both underway and further being planned?

Prior to the election last year, Monsignor Cappo was being paid $100,000 a year for work 'equivalent for half a full-time position'. His current contract of employment, which commenced on 27 April 2010—which contract is undated—provides him with $115,000 per year for a half-time role, plus 'increases approved by cabinet for Public Service executives'.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (15:08): I have to say I appreciate this question, because the previous interruptions were about a breakout about who produced forged documents.

The Hon. K.O. Foley: He did!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: Whoever it is, they should stand up and admit it, rather than blame each other.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: Anyway, the fact of the matter is that the social inclusion commissioner, David Cappo, does an outstanding job for the people of this state. He is fearless in criticising us or anyone else who stands in the way of good public policy.