The State Opposition has called for Premier Alan Carpenter to identify the ministers who sought to influence high-level government appointments, an accusation levelled yesterday by a report from the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards.
The State Opposition has called for Premier Alan Carpenter to identify the ministers who sought to influence high-level government appointments, an accusation levelled yesterday by a report from the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards.
The full text of an announcement from the Leader of the Opposition, Paul Omodei, and shadow minister for Public Sector Management Helen Morton is pasted below:
Alan Carpenter must reveal which of his Ministers have been involved in corruptly trying to have their mates appointed to government jobs.
Liberal Leader Paul Omodei said a new report by the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards, the latest in a series of damning reports into the Government, exposed the fact that Ministers have tried to interfere in the appointment of staff in direct contravention of the Public Sector Management Act.
The Commissioner stated:
"The intent of s105 of the PSM Act is to prohibit the political manipulation of public sector appointments...*
"It is therefore of concern that comments made during feedback on the Commissioner's discussion paper indicated that some ministers do communicate, and seek to influence, CEOs about second tier employment decision.
"CEOs should not be placed in the position of having to remind ministers and ministerial staff that such action is prohibited under s105 of the Public Sector Management Act. Rather, clear guidelines, such as those in the now rescinded Circular to Ministers 25/95, are required."**
"Integrity has been devalued by this Government which has a focus on doing backroom deals and getting jobs for their mates, rather than making decisions in the best interests of the community," Liberal Leader Paul Omodei said.
"For Ministers to intervene and try to influence who gets what jobs is a reflection of the poor standards of Government under Alan Carpenter. It's a disgrace.
"Alan Carpenter needs to reveal which Ministers have been acting corruptly to try and get their mates jobs, what positions they have influenced or tried to influence and whether there were any third parties involved in the push for appointments.
"WA deserves a better standard of Government."
Shadow Public Sector Management Minister Helen Morton said the arrogance of the Government had led to Labor rescinding a circular to Ministers reminding them to abide by the law.
"In 1995 the then Premier issued a circular to Ministers in regard to section 105 of the Public Sector Management Act that section 105 prohibits Ministers and people acting on their behalf from seeking to influence public sector selections or appointments," Mrs Morton said.
"This was rescinded in 2002 on the rationale that it had been issued for information only and we now have the result that some Ministers are acting contrary to the law.
"This is another poor judgement by the Labor Government and its leaders that has led to corrupt activity by Ministers.
"This Government is heading straight back down the path of politicization of the public sector that was part of WA Inc, but despite warnings from people like the Commissioner, Alan Carpenter is ignoring the issue.
"It is imperative that Alan Carpenter takes heed of the Commissioner's report and pulls his head out of the sand in regard to the performance of his Ministers."
*Commissioner for Public Sector Standards Ten Year Review, 21 November 2006, p42
** ""p44
