Answers to Questions

GRANT, MR B.

238 The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON (Croydon) (10 May 2011).

1. Have the ratepayers of the City of Charles Sturt paid $55,000 for anger-management and staff-relations counselling for Councillor Bob Grant?

2. Why is this matter still confidential, years after this counselling has ended?

3. What value or outcome did this counselling provide?

The Hon. P.F. CONLON (Elder—Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations): I have been provided the following information:

1. The City of Charles Sturt made available a mediation service for Councillors to improve and facilitate better working relationships between elected members and the previous Chief Executive Officer. I am advised that this service cost $55,000 during 2004-07. It is understood that Councillor Grant regularly utilised this service during this time period, while three other Councillors used it briefly and chose not to use the service further.

2. The matter is not protected by any confidentiality order. The expenditure, its purpose and the individuals involved are not confidential.

3. There was not an evaluation undertaken to determine what benefits were derived. This is a matter for the Council.