Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-11-14 Daily Xml

Contents

KordaMentha

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (15:13): I seek leave to make a brief statement before asking a question of the Minister for Health and Wellbeing regarding public sector appointments.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: Earlier today in question time, the minister confirmed that the manager, business operations position in the critical care unit and the manager, business operations position in the surgical directorate unit of health were public sector appointments and that presumably the Public Sector Management Act would apply. The minister also indicated that, pursuant to the agreement with KordaMentha, they were contractually obliged to appoint KordaMentha staff to fill those positions. These two things seemingly cannot be true at once.

My questions to the minister are: has the minister received any further updates or information in relation to this during question time so that he can fulfil his obligations to the house to bring back information at the earliest possible opportunity or risk misleading the house?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (15:14): Thank you—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Leader of the Opposition, you have asked your question. Minister.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: Thank you, Mr President. I would like to make it clear in relation to the honourable Leader of the Opposition's statement—there wasn't an explanation of the question—that I don't confirm either of the imputations that he included in his statement. In relation to the honourable member's question, I have not received additional information since questions were asked earlier in question time with which I could add to the answers that I have already given. I understand that the business managers were left vacant. I understand that the KordaMentha staff are not public servants.