Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-07-06 Daily Xml

Contents

BURNSIDE COUNCIL

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (15:26): Who is responsible for the $1.3 million to $2 million waste of taxpayers' money? Is it the government in terms of drafting the terms of reference or was it the investigator in terms of implementing the investigation?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:26): I am not going to point the finger at anyone, but I will say this: when we initially, with the full support of this council, went into this investigation, it was meant to last for 12 weeks. We gave two extensions because this government made the responsible decision to keep at arm's length and allow the investigator to handle this report in his own way. After almost two years and a lengthy and expensive court case—

The Hon. R.I. Lucas: Who is responsible?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: If you don't mind, I am trying to answer the question. If you do not want me to answer the question, I will sit down.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Wade has a supplementary.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!