Resolutions

Ombudsman

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (15:07): I seek leave to move a motion without notice in respect of the recommendation contained in the report of the Statutory Officers Committee.

Leave granted.

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS: I move:

That a recommendation be made to His Excellency the Governor to appoint Mr Wayne Lines to the Office of the Ombudsman, and that a message be sent to the House of Assembly transmitting this resolution and requesting its concurrence thereto.

Just briefly, I should outline the activities of the committee. On 12 May 2014 the then ombudsman, Mr Richard Bingham, submitted his resignation to His Excellency the Governor. The resignation was to take effect from 30 June 2014.

On 3 July 2014 the committee took on the role, with the assistance of the Attorney-General's Department, of finding a suitable person to fill the vacancy, and authorised the commencement of a selection process with the establishment of a selection panel for the appointment of the Ombudsman. The position was advertised in September 2014 and there were 25 applications received.

The selection panel then provided the Statutory Officers Committee with a short list of three applicants, who they reported were all eminently appointable. Subsequently, the committee met on two occasions to interview the short-listed applicants and then determined to recommend to this house that Mr Wayne Lines be appointed Ombudsman.

The Hon. S.G. WADE (15:10): On behalf of the opposition and as a member of the Statutory Officers Committee, I endorse the motion. Mr Lines, recommended by the committee, comes with significant experience in private practice, the Crown Solicitor's Office and, more recently, as WorkCover Ombudsman. I am happy to associate myself with the motion.

Motion carried.