Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-03-22 Daily Xml

Contents

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (14:37): By way of supplementary question, given that the minister advised us last year in this place that the position was advertised on 30 October, can she explain why it took three months to appoint a person to the role?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises) (14:37): Oh, Mr President, it is hilarious—it takes my breath away. It took three months to advertise and recruit a position, to set up an appointment panel and so on, to go through the process of interviews.

The Hon. J.M.A. Lensink interjecting:

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: The honourable member is just bizarre. Is she suggesting that we interview successful applicants prior to advertising for a position? Truly, they have lost their marbles—completely lost their marbles. The process has involved the advertising, the setting up of an interview panel and the interviewing. The interviews have to be set up at a time when the applicants are available, and then there is consideration of selection, and a selection is done. It may surprise the honourable member, but often successful applicants are unable to start immediately. They may be on contracts that require four weeks' notice, so a three-month period for advertising, selection, appointment and commencing a position is a very acceptable time frame to appoint to this important position. The honourable member is just making a fool of herself.