“There has been an episode previously in Western Australia, commonly referred to as WA Inc., one of the results of which was the introduction of freedom of information laws. Fast forward from there to the last Parliament and we had a situation in which the government routinely failed to provide information. It had all the hallmarks of WA Inc. once again.
This motion is underpinned by three interdependent principles: integrity, transparency and accountability. Just like a three-legged stool, if any one of those particular legs is not there, then it is bad for the state of Western Australia and it will ensure that there will be bad governance.”
On Wednesday 5 May, I moved a motion to establish a select committee into the transparency and accountability of government.
The purpose of this select committee is to —
(a) inquire into the partial noncompliance by Hon Sue Ellery with an order of the Council made on 4 November 2020;
(b) identify and inquire into other instances of noncompliance during the fortieth Parliament by ministers with laws and conventions pertaining to transparency and accountability, including but not limited to compliance with section 82 of the Financial Management Act 2006;
(c) monitor compliance with such laws and conventions for the duration of the forty-first Parliament and inquire into any instances of noncompliance;
(d) identify new proposals, initiatives and reforms that may enhance transparency and accountability of ministers and the departments and agencies for which they are responsible; and
(e) consider any other relevant matter.
To read the Hansard and find out why this is so important click here.
To listen to the 6PR interview with Liam Bartlett, click here.
On 11 May 2021, Hon Sue Ellery MLC, the Leader of the House rose to say that an agreement had been made and that she “as Leader of the Government, will propose membership and chairing of the following standing committees in the forty-first Parliament and government members will vote in support of my motion: the Standing Committee on Estimates and Financial Operations, Hon Peter Collier, who shall also be the chair; Hon Nick Goiran and Hon Brad Pettitt”, you can read her statement here.
I sought leave to withdraw the motion on 12 May 2021 stating “The key content of the statement indicates that it is the intention of the government to support the appointment of Hon Peter Collier as the Chair of the Standing Committee on Estimates and Financial Operations in the very near future and for me to also be a member of that committee.
Members will be aware that it was always the position of the opposition that in the unique circumstances we find ourselves in, it is not unreasonable for there to be one parliamentary committee that has a non-government majority and an opposition chair. We are very pleased to see that that outcome has been agreed to across the chamber”, you can read the Hansard here.
The Opposition respects the outcome of the election (which delivers total control of both Houses of Parliament to the Labor Party) but this does not mean there should be an absence of accountability.
You can read the ABC article which outlines the events here.