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Commencement
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Parliamentary Procedure
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Bills
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Motions
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Petitions
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Parliamentary Procedure
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Question Time
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Motions
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Bills
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Motions
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Bills
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Parliamentary Procedure
Evans, Mr M.
The Hon. B.R. HOOD (15:05): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport a question about recent employment decisions by the Rail Commissioner or his delegate.
Leave granted.
The Hon. B.R. HOOD: Mr Mark Evans, a tram driver with more than 17 years' service who has received multiple written commendations for outstanding customer service, including performing CPR on passengers on two separate occasions, is currently facing an issue with regard to his employment with the Rail Commissioner.
Mr Evans was first employed by the state government as a tram driver in 2009 and continued that role until 2020, when he was then employed by Adelaide Metro operations until August this year, when tram services were returned to public operation.
I understand Mr Evans voluntarily disclosed a historical conviction from 2007 both when he was first employed in 2009 and again in his pre-employment declaration earlier this year. Despite this transparency and despite holding a valid working with children check issued in 2019 his conditional offer of employment with the Department for Infrastructure and Transport was withdrawn in August following a review of his police clearance.
It is further understood that no opportunity was provided for Mr Evans to explain the circumstances of his historical matter before the decision was made. Since the withdrawal of his employment, Mr Evans and his wife have reportedly experienced significant mental distress as a result of this process and its impact on their livelihood and wellbeing. My questions to the minister are:
1. Is the minister aware of this matter?
2. Can the minister make inquiries on this issue, including whether the Department for Infrastructure and Transport and the Rail Commissioner's delegate followed proper procedures, including the obligation to afford procedural fairness, in handling Mr Evans' employment matter and the circumstances that have caused such distress?
The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Autism) (15:07): I thank the member for his question. I am happy to look further into it.