Scrutiny puts Gorst on the spot

Thursday 30 January 2014

Chief Minister Ian Gorst faces a grilling later today on his priorities in the run-up to November's election.

The Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel, chaired by Senator Sarah Fergusson, will take the opportunity to question Senator Gorst on his priorities for the year. Other key issues up for discussion include States modernisation, freedom of information, e-government and government reform.

Senator Ferguson will be joined by panel members Deputies James Reed and Richard Rondel and the Constable of St Lawrence, Deirdre Mezbourian.  The Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel’s remit is to look at draft policies, legislation or matters of public importance relating to the work of the Chief Minister and Minister for Treasury and Resources.

They will have one-and-a-half hours to question the Chief Minister from 4.15 pm in the Blampied Room of the States Building and the public are welcome to attend.

Senator Ferguson said it was surprising how much ground could be covered in such a short time.

‘It is a good thing to keep in contact and to keep the lines of communication open,’ she said.

She added that while there were no plans to question him on why he pulled last week’s States debate to oust Deputy Rob Duhamel from Planning, he would be asked to explain his powers in relation to members of the Council of Ministers. Senator Gorst has said that the Chief Minister should be given hiring and firing powers over ministers - at the moment, he needs a States majority to get rid of any of his ministerial colleagues.