Public Sector Recruitment

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:44): My question is to the Attorney-General. Has the Attorney now sought advice from Dr Russell on whether any disciplinary action has been taken against any person in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet following the hiring of Veronica Theriault as Chief Information Officer as he undertook to do on 2 November and, if received, will he inform the house?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Child Protection Reform, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for Consumer and Business Services, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (14:45): I thank the honourable member for her question. Yes, I have been pursuing these matters and I do have some information, which I would be happy to share with the house. I am aware that the deputy leader has asked a number of questions on this topic. If my memory serves me correctly, I have asked for those particular matters that were asked in the past to be the subject of specific answers, which will be brought forward as soon as possible. This is the information, in any event, to share with you.

First of all, the hiring and firing of staff within DPC is obviously a matter for the chief executive, as it is for any other department. In this case, I have been informed that the position of the Chief Information Officer was advertised with a closing date for applications of 26 May this year. Following a competitive selection process, the new CIO was appointed on a three-year contract. Apparently, it became clear shortly after she commenced her role on 3 August this year that there were serious questions about her capability and her conduct.

As a result, I am advised that she was directed in correspondence dated 8 September 2017 to remain absent from duty. The chief executive, Dr Russell, terminated the executive's appointment, effective on 19 September, pursuant to section 54(1)(d) of the Public Sector Act. A contractor engaged by the former CIO—

Ms CHAPMAN: Point of order: I appreciate the Attorney is now giving us some historic history of Ms Theriault, but—

The SPEAKER: Yes, but the point of order is?

Ms CHAPMAN: —my question was very specifically—

The SPEAKER: Yes, they are all very specific.

Ms CHAPMAN: —has anyone in the department had disciplinary action in respect of her hiring and firing, not what has happened to her. This has all been in the paper. He has given a ministerial statement on it. We know all that.

The SPEAKER: Yes, alright.

Ms CHAPMAN: Thank you, sir.

The SPEAKER: Perhaps the Deputy Premier could speed up his approach to the question.

The Hon. J.R. RAU: I would be happy to attempt that. I was simply trying to set the scene. As you know, Mr Speaker, it's very—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. J.R. RAU: Okay. In that case, I will take the remainder of the question on notice.