Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-04-07 Daily Xml

Contents

Parliamentary Committees

Statutory Authorities Review Committee: Report 2018-19

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:37): I move:

That the 2018-19 annual report of the committee be noted.

As members would be aware, the Statutory Authorities Review Committee is a parliamentary standing committee whose five members are drawn solely from the Legislative Council. It was established back in 1994 to make the operations of statutory authorities more open to detailed scrutiny. On behalf of the committee I am pleased to present its 72nd report, the Annual Report of the Statutory Authorities Review Committee 2018-19. It provides a summary of the committee's activities for that year.

During 2018-19, the committee met on 14 occasions. It focused its work on two new inquiries, one on the State Procurement Board and the other on the State Courts Administration Council, with particular reference to the Sheriff's Office. In September 2018, the committee resolved to inquire into the State Procurement Board. Under its terms of reference, the inquiry focused on the scope of the State Procurement Act 2004, the current state procurement process and practices, and small and medium-sized business participation within government procurement in general.

The committee's report for the inquiry was tabled and noted in the Legislative Council in September last year. In February 2019, the committee resolved to inquire into the State Courts Administration Council, with particular reference to the Sheriff's Office. Under its terms of reference, the inquiry is focusing on the operation's effectiveness and employment practices of the Sheriff's Office, with an emphasis on the management of allegations of bullying and harassment in the workplace. That inquiry is ongoing.

Last month, you would no doubt recall that the Hon. Terry Stephens stepped down as presiding member of the committee. On behalf of the committee, I thank him for his work as presiding member since May 2018. The Hon. Justin Hanson, the Hon. Frank Pangallo and the Hon. Irene Pnevmatikos continued as committee members in 2018-19 and I thank them for their contribution to the committee throughout that year. I also wish to thank the committee staff members for their service during the year. It is a productive committee and one on which I enjoy being the Chair.

Motion carried.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: Mr President, I draw your attention to the state of the council.

A quorum having been formed: