Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-03-01 Daily Xml

Contents

MINISTERIAL STAFF

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (15:21): I have a supplementary question arising out of the answer. Given that one of the 14 full-time staff members is Mr Michael Irvine, Ministerial Liaison Officer, Industrial Relations, has his position been terminated on your staff or is he continuing to be employed? If so, what is his role compared to Mr Jimmy Watson who, you have just indicated, is doing exactly the same task? What is the remuneration package for Mr Jimmy Watson on your staff?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:22): The position of Michael Irvine is that Michael Irvine has previously worked for SafeWork, and he is my liaison officer between myself and SafeWork. Jimmy Watson is a ministerial liaison officer.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Do you want the answer or not? I am quite happy to give you the answer. I am not quite sure of the salaries of these people. It is probably up in the $90,000-odd, I imagine.

The Hon. R.I. Lucas: You will bring it back?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: I will bring it back, but these aren't hard to find. With all ministerial advisers, if they are gazetted, their wages are gazetted. I imagine you only have to look it up, but I am happy to get back to you in the future.

The PRESIDENT: Probably use their own voices too, those people. The Hon. Mr Kandelaars.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!