Page 936 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 29 March 2011
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MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Hargreaves, could we just have the question one more time, thank you. Let’s try to keep it in order.
MR HARGREAVES: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Is the appearance before a committee a daunting process for people in your department and is it appropriate that they receive encouragement to be frank and fearless in their responses before it, and supported in the case that they feel a little bit under stress?
MS BURCH: I thank Mr Hargreaves for his question. The department is made up of around 1,100 staff. Of that, some people would be quite confident in presenting before an inquiry; others may not. Those that may not be so comfortable, because of experience, their capacity, their linkage to how long they have been in the department, should be supported. If a manager is requested to provide support, what is wrong with that? There is no evidence of collusion and bullying. And if you have that evidence—
Opposition members interjecting—
MS BURCH: Then bring it here.
Opposition members interjecting—
MS BURCH: No. What you have is a copy of minutes that the manager of that unit has said do not represent the reality of that meeting.
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MS BURCH: So if you have individual proven circumstances of bullying—
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, you will have a chance in a minute.
MS BURCH: you are obligated to bring it forward.
MRS DUNNE: A supplementary question, Mr Speaker?
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mrs Dunne.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, can staff expect the same treatment that was received by the former woodwork trainer at Bimberi who was sacked after he went to the Human Rights Commission inquiry?
MS BURCH: There is no evidence to say that he was sacked because he went to the inquiry. That is a hypothetical, a spin that those over there choose to put on it. I have said that that woodworker has approached my office plus the office of the minister for education. This department, the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services, has approached DET to see what they are doing in regard to that inquiry and to comment.
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