Page 3830 - Week 10 - Thursday, 27 August 2009
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I am more than happy to mull over the issue and to take advice on it, but I have to say, Ms Le Couteur, that it is not immediately clear to me even why there would be a perception, let alone a reality. A contract is a contract. We have had difficulty certainly in relation to some aspects of those contracts, particularly in relation to staff, but I am not aware of issues in relation to waste disposal versus reusables and a conflict between a single company providing both those contracted services.
I am more than happy to give the matter serious consideration. I am more than happy to take advice and let you know the fruit of that advice, Ms Le Couteur.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Le Couteur, a supplementary question?
MS LE COUTEUR: Thiess also operates the materials recovery facility at Mugga Lane. Again, it is the same situation. They are paid to operate that and they are paid for everything that goes to landfill. Is there a conflict of interest, because they determine, in effect, the contamination level?
MR STANHOPE: Thank you, Ms Le Couteur. I do better understand your notion of a perception of a conflict, that Thiess might be minded to make extra money by disposal into landfill of reusables rather than seeking—look, I think it is best if I say that that would surprise me. It would be a surprising result. At least I do now better understand the nature of what you regard as a perception of potential conflict.
I am more than happy to take some more specific advice on whether or not there is an issue around a potential conflict in the scenario of a company contracted to identify and ensure the disposal of reusable material as against a company contracted to bury things and a potential conflict between the two. Let me take some detailed expert departmental advice on the issue, perhaps from Procurement Solutions, and I will be more than happy to let you know the outcomes of that.
Department of Territory and Municipal Services—strategic budget review
MR HANSON: My question is to the Minister for Territory and Municipal Services and it relates to the strategic budget review of TAMS undertaken by Ernst &Young. Minister, have you had any concrete discussions about restructuring your department?
MR SPEAKER: Chief Minister.
MR STANHOPE: Yes, I have, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, a supplementary question?
MR HANSON: Minister, why is a restructure required so soon after the creation of the department, which was intended to create efficiencies?
Mr Barr: It created DECCEW, for example.
MR STANHOPE: Yes, that is right. We have actually taken a number of steps since the last election in relation to administrative arrangements generally. Indeed, one of
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