Page 1051 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 30 March 2011
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Mr Seselja. The department, the executive, right through to all management, is saying “participation and contribution in a frank and fearless manner”. The correspondence has gone out in January, early March and at the end of March. Indeed, just yesterday staff were reminded of our interest in having them be part of this discussion and inquiry. Indeed, part of the messaging yesterday to all staff was that they were engaged to be frank and fearless in their advice to the Bimberi review team. The message also encouraged staff to contact the senior executive responsible for business integrity risk if staff wished to discuss any concerns about giving evidence to the Bimberi review team, including if staff felt pressured.
My message is clear. I say it to you; I say it to each and every member of this community who comes forward and participates. If I have any notion, any evidence, indeed I implore you, if you have evidence, to come to me, to come to the executive, to go to the Bimberi review team and provide that, because I will not tolerate anybody who does not allow staff to participate in an open and frank manner.
MR SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Seselja?
MR SESELJA: Minister, given that the message clearly is not getting through, what will you do to allay staff and former staff’s fears of appearing before the Bimberi inquiry?
MS BURCH: I have been on media. I have been on TV. My every public utterance and statement has been about my imploring and urging staff to participate. We have put in again—I repeat what I have just said. We have advised staff that there is a senior executive responsible for business integrity and risk. Staff can go to them. If staff think that their management or other staff are prohibiting them from participating, I want to know; my executive want to know.
MRS DUNNE: A supplementary question, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mrs Dunne.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, what is your plan of action against any ACT government employee who gives another employee any message other than that which you and your colleagues claim to have sent forth?
MS BURCH: There are clear guidelines about behaviour under the Public Sector Management Act, but I would personally take a very, very dim view of any staff member that is doing anything to prohibit or obstruct a contribution to this review.
MRS DUNNE: A supplementary question, Mr Speaker?
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mrs Dunne.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, there have been a number of allegations aired in the media. What have you done to investigate those allegations?
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