Page 2721 - Week 09 - Thursday, 8 August 2013
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Government—executive contracts
MS LAWDER: My question is to the Chief Minister and relates to unsigned, undated and overdue executive contracts tabled earlier this week. Chief Minister, what advice did you seek as to whether those contracts comply with the Financial Management Act and the Public Sector Management Act, and will you table that advice? If not, why not?
MS GALLAGHER: I have probably answered this in the sense that I am seeking to tidy up the outstanding tabling of a number of executive contracts. That work is underway and I have asked that all current contracts be tabled by the end of this sitting period. In relation to the Public Sector Management Act, there is no time requirement for tabling. Maybe that is something the Assembly wants to look at. It is something that I am taking further advice on. And I have not had drawn to my attention any concerns around the Financial Management Act.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Lawder.
MS LAWDER: Chief Minister, did you seek any advice as to whether those contracts comply with federal workplace laws and requirements, and will you table that advice? If not, why not? Can I clarify—it is about not having their signed, dated contracts rather than the tabling of them.
MS GALLAGHER: Sorry, could Ms Lawder repeat the question?
MADAM SPEAKER: Could you repeat the question? Sometimes the sound is not great.
MS LAWDER: In relation to having an unsigned, undated contract, Chief Minister, what advice did you seek as to whether those contracts comply with federal workplace laws and requirements? Would you table that advice if you received it? If not, why not?
MS GALLAGHER: I understand that advice has been sought around this matter. I have discussed it with the Head of Service around the tabling and requirements of the executive contracts. My understanding is that all contracts are valid and enforceable.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Hanson.
MR HANSON: Chief Minister, were you aware that there were unsigned, undated and overdue executive contracts that needed to be tabled prior to receiving the question on notice?
MS GALLAGHER: No, I was not. Indeed I table executive contracts almost every sitting week. I had not had the issue brought to my attention that there were outstanding ones. Because I table them every sitting week, I had perhaps mistakenly presumed that that was bringing up to date executive contracts. And to a large part it was. But, as it turned out, there are outstanding contracts. I issued a direction to the
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video