Page 3523 - Week 08 - Thursday, 18 August 2011
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MR SMYTH: A supplementary, Mr Speaker?
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, in this new era of openness and accountability, is it not appropriate, where an individual has made claims publicly that he was sacked for his opinions, that the results be made public?
MR CORBELL: Those opposite seem to fail to grasp a fairly fundamental tenet of how a government is obligated to deal with individual staffing matters.
Members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order! Let’s hear the answer.
MR CORBELL: Those opposite should understand, but clearly they do not—
Mr Smyth interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Mr Smyth, I would like to hear the minister’s answer, thank you.
MR CORBELL: Those opposite should understand that staffing matters involving public servants are treated on a confidential basis. Whatever comments may be made by an individual do not release my officials and my director-general and her senior staff from their obligation to deal with these matters in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act and with the confidentiality that attracts to all staffing matters.
I also make the observation, for those opposite, that they have repeatedly claimed in this place that I—that is, I—sacked Mr Buchanan. Mr Buchanan was not sacked. I have outlined the circumstances of Mr Buchanan’s return to New South Wales Corrective Services, where he holds his substantive position—
Mr Doszpot interjecting—
MR CORBELL: I would also draw to the attention of those opposite—
Mr Hargreaves: Point of order, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: One moment, Mr Corbell. Stop the clocks, thank you.
Mr Hargreaves: Mr Speaker, Mr Doszpot said, “Like George Washington, cannot tell a lie.” That was an inference that the minister had done so. I ask him to withdraw it.
MR SPEAKER: I did not actually hear the full interjection from Mr Doszpot.
Mr Doszpot: Mr Speaker, I said, “Do a George Washington: ‘I cannot tell a lie.’” That is what I said.
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