Constable Matt Butcher — ex gratia payment
926. Hon ALISON XAMON to the parliamentary secretary representing the Attorney General:
I refer to the ex gratia payment to be made to Constable Matthew Butcher and to the answer to question without notice 702 asked by Hon Sue Ellery on 21 September 2010.
(1) When will the minister be making a decision on this matter?
(2) Will a decision be made before the end of this year?
(3) Given that more than two months has elapsed since the claim was submitted, what time frame does the minister believe is a reasonable one for a decision to be made?
Hon MICHAEL MISCHIN replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The application for an ex gratia payment submitted on behalf of Constable Matthew Butcher is extremely comprehensive and is receiving careful and thorough consideration, and I—meaning the Attorney General—have sought detailed advice from the State Solicitor’s Office and anticipate receiving the requested advice early next week. The application will be considered in the light of that legal advice. The final decision will be made by cabinet.
(2) A decision will be made as soon as the proper consideration processes are complete.
(3) The current approach and time frame is reasonable given the importance of the matter to Constable Butcher and the state and the time involved in consideration of the substantial documentation provided by Constable Butcher and of the associated issues.