MINISTERIAL STAFF

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (15:18): I seek leave to make a brief explanation prior to directing a question to the Minister for Industrial Relations on the subject of ministerial staff.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: The confidential ministerial directory dated December 2011 shows that the minister, who has the onerous responsibilities for relations with local government and industrial relations, has 14 full-time staff, three part-time staff and a ministerial chauffeur. Amongst his 14 full-time staff is a chief of staff, a media adviser, two ministerial advisers, a policy adviser, a ministerial liaison officer for industrial relations, a ministerial liaison officer for local government relations, as well as office managers and various other advisers and assistants within the office.

1. Can the minister inform the house as to whether it is correct that prominent unionist, Mr Jimmy Watson, either has joined his ministerial staff or is soon to join his ministerial staff?

2. If that is true, is that in addition to these 14 full-time staff, three part-time staff and a ministerial chauffeur, or is Mr Watson joining to replace somebody else on the minister's staff?

3. If it is true that he is joining the minister's staff, what role in particular is Mr Watson to adopt?

4. If it is true, on what date did Mr Watson resign from his position on the WorkCover Corporation board?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:19): First of all, Jimmy Watson has been employed in my office for probably around about three weeks, I suppose. I understand he immediately, upon joining my office, resigned from the WorkCover board. Jimmy Watson will provide some very valuable industrial relations advice.

I have known Jimmy Watson for over 20 years—a very, very highly regarded and well-respected union official. He will provide some very good industrial relations advice. He will also be able to keep the doors of communication open with the industrial unions. He also has great contacts and liaison with the employer associations. I treat them as equal with each other. It is important to keep the doors open.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: While the opposition might mock industrial relations and local government as irrelevant, we on the Labor side of things think industrial relations and local government are pretty core to the economic activity of this state, and we don't shy away from that. As I said, I am quite proud to have Jimmy Watson as one of my staff.

The Hon. R.I. Lucas: What is he? A ministerial staffer?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: He is my industrial relations liaison officer, and he will provide a very, very good—I must say, I don't know the actual title he has got. All I know is he provides a very valuable position for me, and I value the contribution he actually makes in my office.