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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-03-05 Daily Xml
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OFFICE FOR THE NORTHERN SUBURBS

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:07): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Leader of the Government in this place questions about the Office for the Northern Suburbs.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS: On 1 August 2008, at the Northern Community Summit, the Premier announced the new Minister for the Northern Suburbs would be responsible for an Office for the Northern Suburbs to be located in Elizabeth. On 17 February 2008, the member for Schubert in another place asked the Minister for the Northern Suburbs, why, after a six month delay, the Office for the Northern Suburbs was yet to open. The minister was unable to provide any information in relation to the office or its preparations.

I am informed that the Minister for the Northern Suburbs had the lease agreement approved by state cabinet in November 2008 for office space at 7 Philip Highway, Elizabeth. The office would be staffed by a director and two other employees. I have now driven past that office space on a number of occasions and found it empty. This morning I noticed that work was being done to commence a fit-out.

I am also aware that on 21 February 2009 a job advertisement was placed in the career section of The Advertiser seeking a senior policy officer for the Office for the Northern Suburbs. The advertisement was placed under the provision of the minister's department (the Department of Planning and Local Government). My questions are:

1. Given that there has been a seven month delay in preparing the Office for the Northern Suburbs, when does the minister expect it to be open for business?

2. Why has it taken the minister's department three months to place a job ad in the newspaper since the lease agreement was approved by cabinet?

3. Will the minister indicate whether the lease for 7 Philip Highway, Elizabeth, is operational and, if so, what was the starting date and how much rent has been paid to date?

4. What, if any, action has been taken to fill the remaining two staff positions for the office, particularly the crucial appointment of the director?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (15:09): It is correct that the Office for the Northern Suburbs comes within the Department of Planning and Local Government, as does the Office for the Southern Suburbs. However, the minister responsible is my colleague the Minister for Families and Communities, and I will refer the question to that minister. Although the Office for the Northern Suburbs comes within the department, my colleague is the minister responsible for that office. I will obtain the information and bring it back for the honourable member.

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