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WORKCOVER

In reply to the Hon. A. BRESSINGTON (6 March 2013).

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): I have been advised of the following:

Mr Mericka, accompanied by a staff member from the office of the Hon. Ann Bressington, attended the Parliament House office of the Premier, while the House of Assembly was sitting. Mr Mericka attempted to serve a notice of charge on the Premier. The Premier's Chief of Staff met with Mr Mericka. He formed the opinion that service of court documents on the Premier within the precinct of Parliament while it was sitting was inappropriate. He advised Mr Mericka of this opinion.

It appears that the attempt to serve the notice of charge constituted a breach of Parliamentary privilege: see Erskine May, 24^th Edition, page 248.

Subsequently that day, the Premier's Chief of Staff emailed the Hon. Ann Bressington to advise that he had arranged for solicitors to accept service of the notice on behalf of the Premier, and that those solicitors would contact Mr Mericka, care of the office of the Hon. Ann Bressington, to arrange service.

The notice of charge was served shortly thereafter.