INSURANCE COMMISSION OF
WESTERN AUSTRALIA — BELL GROUP LIQUIDATIONS
1281. Hon MICHAEL MISCHIN to the minister representing the
Treasurer:
I refer to the Insurance
Commission of Western Australia's engagement of former Chief Justice Hon
Wayne Martin, QC, to ''support the Insurance Commission in its
endeavours to seek an end to the Bell Group liquidations''.
(1) What precisely is Hon Wayne Martin's brief and
what are the terms of his engagement?
(2) How did that appointment come about, who made the
decision to engage him and when?
(3) What is his remuneration package?
(4) What is the legal work, advice or assistance for which he
has been engaged by the commission?
(5) Was the Treasurer consulted about the appointment; and,
if so, when and by whom?
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON
replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question.
(1) To assist
the Insurance Commission of WA to pursue its interests in the Bell Group
liquidations, Mr Martin has been engaged by the Insurance Commission as a strategic
consultant to provide strategic advice on the conduct and resolution the Bell
litigation.
(2) The
Insurance Commission approached a number of senior lawyers to assist it in
dealing with Bell Group–related matters. The process to approach and
interview senior lawyers commenced in July 2018 and concluded with the
engagement of Mr Martin and Mr Carson on 29 October 2018.
(3) It is $10 000 per day, exclusive of GST, for one day a week
for two years.
(4) Mr Martin
has been engaged by the Insurance Commission as a strategic consultant to
provide strategic advice on the conduct resolution of the Bell litigation. The
consultant will not be providing legal advice.
(5) The
Insurance Commission advised the Treasurer about the appointment in a briefing
note on 13 November 2018.