Legislative Council: Wednesday, March 06, 2013

Contents

WORKCOVER

The Hon. A. BRESSINGTON (14:49): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Premier a question on WorkCover.

Leave granted.

The Hon. A. BRESSINGTON: Alex Mericka, with whom this chamber would be very familiar by now, fronted the WorkCover tribunal in 2011 and Judge Olsson found in his favour. WorkCover has since appealed that decision. Mr Mericka was advised to file—and has subsequently filed—charges, which were accepted by the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, which advised him to serve the Premier personally. He attempted to do this today; however, Mr Blewett, the chief of staff at the Premier's office, would not allow this to occur. My questions are:

1. Has Mr Blewett in fact perverted the course of justice?

2. Will the Premier accept the charges sheet from me if he will not allow Mr Mericka to serve the documents personally?

3. If not, when will he agree to meet with Mr Mericka to be served?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:51): I thank the honourable member for her important questions and will refer them to the appropriate minister in another place and bring back a response.