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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-09-24 Daily Xml
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HEMMERLING, DR M.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (15:10): I seek leave to make an explanation before asking the Minister for Consumer Affairs a question about Mal Hemmerling.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: In a press release in October 2007, Dr Mal Hemmerling was announced as the commissioner for consumer affairs from the date of 8 October 2007 for what was said by the then minister to be a 'short term contract'. It is well known that Dr Hemmerling's contract expired only recently—almost two years after his original appointment. There has been recent controversy about the new payment arrangements for Dr Hemmerling in relation to removal from his position as commissioner and his installation as the Director of Northern Connections in the northern suburbs.

In fact, I was roundly criticised by a public servant for being inaccurate in my claim that he was being paid $1,000 a day. This public servant claimed, and I do not know whether it is accurate, that it was actually closer to $1,400 a day for that particular contract. Also, earlier this year in relation to Dr Hemmerling's position, members will be aware that he had other prominent positions, in particular in relation to the Adelaide 36ers basketball club. Various press reports in and around April and May indicated that Dr Hemmerling, at least during that period this year, was not working as commissioner but on leave, and The Advertiser found him holidaying in Broome at that time. My questions to the minister are:

1. What was the remuneration package paid by the government to Dr Hemmerling as commissioner for consumer affairs, and what were the annual leave entitlements provided to Dr Hemmerling as part of his contract; and, in particular, were they consistent with leave entitlements provided to other chief executives?

2. On what date did Dr Hemmerling last undertake work as commissioner, and on what date was Dr Hemmerling last paid for his job as commissioner for consumer affairs?

3. Why did the minister not offer Dr Hemmerling any contract extension as commissioner for consumer affairs; and has the minister received any complaints about Dr Hemmerling's performance as commissioner for consumer affairs whilst she has been minister?

4. Was the minister or her officers within her ministerial office involved in anyway in helping find the new job for Dr Hemmerling as the Director of Northern Connections?

5. What was the actual daily rate paid to Dr Hemmerling for the period 1 June to 25 August this year from both the Office of Business and Consumer Affairs and from the Northern Connections' office, as evidently both agencies were part paying Dr Hemmerling during that three month period?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (15:13): It is just a disgrace that the Hon. Rob Lucas is intent on trying to besmirch and denigrate people who have contributed years of service to this community—people of exceptional integrity. Week in and week out we come to this place to listen to his snide innuendos and unpleasant questioning. It is bitter and twisted.

It is barely worthy of an answer. However, to ensure that the record is set straight, in relation to the details of his remuneration package, I do not have that information with me. I am happy to find out that detail and bring back a response. That level of detail is on the record and I can—

The Hon. P. Holloway interjecting:

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: That is exactly right. Those details we do not carry around with us.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: All finished?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I am happy to bring back those details. I understand that it is a public sector appointment and it is done in accordance with those procedures, and the payment schedules are in line with positions that require that level of responsibility, skill and expertise. With respect to the dates of his commencement and resignation, I do not carry around those details. They are on the record, and I can quite easily bring them back to the chamber.

However, I certainly can assure members that once he had been appointed to his position in the north his employment status changed. He was no longer the commissioner for consumer and business affairs. He became a consultant and his hours were reduced. Again, I could not tell members the exact number of hours that he was working, but they are on the record and I will bring back those details. At that time he was working part-time in my office. We then installed an acting commissioner who was full-time for the duration, and the position has since been advertised, and so on. In terms of complaints, I am very pleased to say that, to the very best of my knowledge, I am not aware of any complaints that I received.

In terms of finding Dr Mal Hemmerling a new job, as I said, he is a man of the highest integrity. He has a breadth of skill and experience that this state should be pleased to have here, and he certainly does not need my help in finding him a new position.

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