Page 935 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 29 March 2011
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MR SMYTH: A supplementary.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, to what extent should your department have any involvement at all in what a staff member might want to say to the inquiry?
MS BURCH: This is a confidential, rigorous, independent process where staff are able to participate should they wish, and I urge all staff. If staff seek support or guidance, information—
Mr Smyth: Guidance? Why would they need guidance on what they tell the committee?
MS BURCH: It is about covering rosters, it is about making sure that the work that they have to do is covered by the unit. An explanation has been provided by the manager of that team. I have confidence in the manager of that team, and I will leave it there.
MR SPEAKER: Supplementary, Mr Hargreaves?
MR HARGREAVES: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Does the minister agree that middle level and lower members of the public service would find appearing before such an inquiry a very daunting process, and have you taken action to ensure that having—
Mr Smyth interjecting—
MR HARGREAVES: Would you like me to start again? I can start again, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Hargreaves, one moment. Your question is asking for an expression of opinion. Perhaps you could rephrase it.
MR HARGREAVES: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MR HARGREAVES: I find it quite distracting—
MR SPEAKER: Just rephrase the question, Mr Hargreaves.
MR HARGREAVES: My question to the minister is: does the minister agree that appearance before—
Mrs Dunne: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. It is still asking for an expression of opinion. You have given him two goes.
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