Question On Notice No. 6491 asked in the Legislative Assembly on 15 October 2020 by Mr S.K. L'estrange
Question Directed to the: Minister for Local Government; Heritage; Culture and the Arts
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
I refer to the Minister’s comments that he maintains his “concerns in regard to the Town of Cambridge,” and I ask:
(a) How does the Minister justify his comments given the Supreme Court Justice's comment that the Minister’s “substantive concerns arise out of the alleged conduct of the Mayor and Mr Giorgi, with no identified connection to any failure by the Council in its capacity as the governing body of the Town";
(b) What are the Minister's concerns for the community and employees of the Town of Cambridge; and
(c) Is the Minister willing to meet with the Town's Mayor and Councillors to discuss his concerns with them?
Answered on 19 November 2020
(a) I refer to part 5.1 of the Report of the Inquiry into the Town of Cambridge.
(b) In accordance with section 5.40(e) of the Act, the Town has a duty to provide the staff with safe and healthy working conditions. The town has failed to do so and the Authorised Persons have referred these matters to WorkSafe and the Public Sector Commission for independent investigation.
I draw the Members attention to paragraph 52 of the Report which illustrates these concerns:
“During a voluntary interview, CEO John Giorgi stated he believes staff need to toughen up, and if they ‘can’t take the heat, they should look elsewhere’.”
I also draw the Members attention to part 6.1 of the Report and paragraphs 230 – 239 and the high rate of staff turnover. I am also aware the Director of Planning and Development has ceased employment with the Town following the conclusion of the Authorised Inquiry.
230. On commencement of the Inquiry in April 2018, senior administration staff was as follows:
a. Mr Jason Buckley, CEO
b. Mr Chris Colyer, Director of Infrastructure
c. Ms Marlaine Lavery, Director of Planning and Development
d. Mr Jason Lyons, Director Corporate and Strategic
e. Mr Cam Robbins, Director Community Development
f. Mr Brett Jackson, Director of Projects
231. On 9 April 2018, CEO Mr Jason Buckley’s employment was suspended and on 10 April 2018 Mr Jason Lyon was appointed the acting CEO.
232. On 8 June 2018, council appointed Mr John Giorgi as Acting Chief Executive Officer, and appointed him permanently to the role on 15 May 2019.
233. On 30 June 2018, Mr Brett Jackson resigned from his position at the Town.
234. On 27 July 2018, Mr Jason Lyon resigned from his position at the Town.
235. On 30 November 2018, Mr Chris Colyer resigned and Mr Michael Hayward was employed into the role on 21 January 2019.
236. On 12 February 2019, a new administrative organisational structure was adopted at a Special Council Meeting, abolishing the Director of Projects position and amalgamating or restructuring other roles.
237. On 10 June 2019, Mr Michael Hayward resigned from the Town and Mr Peter Maloney acted in the role of Director of Infrastructure and Works and until the employment of Mr Kelton Hincks on 4 February 2020.
238. In the council minutes for the 30 April 2019 council meeting, it was reported that from the time John Giorgi was appointed Acting CEO to the time of the meeting, 27 staff had voluntarily resigned, and nine administration staff had been made redundant.
239. During his voluntary record of interview, CEO John Giorgi said the turnover of staff at the Town of Cambridge was much more than he had experienced in his executive career to date.
(c) The Minister has met with the Town. The Town has 35 days to provide written advice to the Minister setting out the things it has done or proposes to do to give effect to the recommendations of the Authorised person.