Mr CONLAN - 2008-09-11
Today, you said in a media conference that you were lied to by Peter Campos and former Chief Executive of the Health Department, Mr Griew. Is it not a fact that he has not been sacked, just given hush money, and this is an example of the culture of cover up at the level of the Health department?
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order; Madam Speaker! It is an offensive allegation being made.
Madam SPEAKER: Please pause. I will seek advice. Member for Greatorex, I ask you to reword the question so that it does not reflect on the minister.
Mr CONLAN: Madam Speaker, I am unclear how that reflected on the minister. It was simply highlighting something that took place at a media conference today.
Madam SPEAKER: I would like you to reword it, so that it is not …
Mr CONLAN: All right. Minister, today you said in a media conference that you were deceived by Peter Campos and former Chief Executive of the Health Department, Mr Griew. Is it not a fact that he has not been sacked? He has just been given hush money and this is an example of a cover up in the Health Department.
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order; Madam Speaker!
Mr CONLAN: Madam Speaker, the minister has created this mess. Surely he can answer the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Please pause, member for Greatorex.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, I would say the allegation of hush money is absolutely an improper question under Standing Order 121.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Please pause. I will seek advice from the Clerk. I will allow the question.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his question. It is actually a very dumb question because, here in the gallery, we have members of the media who actually attended that media conference and who know that I did not say either of those confabulations or variations of the question, and trying to put words in my mouth that you did just then.
It is a very silly thing that you have done, member for Greatorex. It goes to the very heart of your integrity …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Dr BURNS: … because, not only do they have a tape of what was said during that media conference, I have a tape of what was said at that conference as well. I can stand here and say I did not say that about the department. I can say that categorically.
In terms of the assertion about hush money and the spin that the member for Greatorex is trying to put on this, he should remember that he is not on 8HA any more. This is parliament. This is serious stuff ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
A member: A point of order; Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order. The minister has the call.
Dr BURNS: Thank you Madam Speaker. As I have said before, the employment and deployment of employees is a matter for the act. I will read the act for the benefit of the member for Greatorex.
Mr Bohlin: Has he retained his pay scale or has he been reprimanded?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Drysdale, I ask you to cease interjecting. All questions come through the Chair and at the moment the minister has the call.
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, section 47:
and then going down to (e):
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order; Madam Speaker! It is an offensive allegation being made.
Madam SPEAKER: Please pause. I will seek advice. Member for Greatorex, I ask you to reword the question so that it does not reflect on the minister.
Mr CONLAN: Madam Speaker, I am unclear how that reflected on the minister. It was simply highlighting something that took place at a media conference today.
Madam SPEAKER: I would like you to reword it, so that it is not …
Mr CONLAN: All right. Minister, today you said in a media conference that you were deceived by Peter Campos and former Chief Executive of the Health Department, Mr Griew. Is it not a fact that he has not been sacked? He has just been given hush money and this is an example of a cover up in the Health Department.
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order; Madam Speaker!
Mr CONLAN: Madam Speaker, the minister has created this mess. Surely he can answer the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Please pause, member for Greatorex.
Ms LAWRIE: Madam Speaker, I would say the allegation of hush money is absolutely an improper question under Standing Order 121.
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Please pause. I will seek advice from the Clerk. I will allow the question.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Greatorex for his question. It is actually a very dumb question because, here in the gallery, we have members of the media who actually attended that media conference and who know that I did not say either of those confabulations or variations of the question, and trying to put words in my mouth that you did just then.
It is a very silly thing that you have done, member for Greatorex. It goes to the very heart of your integrity …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Dr BURNS: … because, not only do they have a tape of what was said during that media conference, I have a tape of what was said at that conference as well. I can stand here and say I did not say that about the department. I can say that categorically.
In terms of the assertion about hush money and the spin that the member for Greatorex is trying to put on this, he should remember that he is not on 8HA any more. This is parliament. This is serious stuff ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
A member: A point of order; Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order. The minister has the call.
Dr BURNS: Thank you Madam Speaker. As I have said before, the employment and deployment of employees is a matter for the act. I will read the act for the benefit of the member for Greatorex.
Mr Bohlin: Has he retained his pay scale or has he been reprimanded?
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Drysdale, I ask you to cease interjecting. All questions come through the Chair and at the moment the minister has the call.
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, section 47:
- (1) Where a Chief Executive Officer –
(b) is of the opinion that it is appropriate to suspend or transfer the employee,
and then going down to (e):
- (e) with the agreement of the Chief Executive Officer of another agency or as directed by the Commissioner - transfer the employee to perform duties in that other Agency.
That is the answer to the question.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016