Senator John Le Fondré claimed that Senator Moore had breached the States Members’ Code of Conduct in a television interview she gave discussing former government chief executive Charlie Parker’s tenure.
The Chief Minister claimed comments Senator Moore made could give rise to potential claims against the States Employment Board and questioned their factual accuracy.
He said the SEB had advised him that the matter should be referred to the commissioner.
Commissioner for standards Paul Kernaghan found Senator Moore expressed her personal opinion on former chief executive Charlie Parker ‘in measured terms’, which were not ‘overly personal or prejudicial’, and said he could not ‘conceive’ how her language ‘could have negatively impacted on the public’s trust or confidence in their elected representatives’.
Senator Moore claimed that the complaint was ‘sadly, politically motivated’ in her response and said she did not enjoy ‘a good relationship’ with the Chief Minister.
Despite finding no breaches, Mr Kernaghan said he was ‘satisfied’ the Chief Minister’s complaint deserved investigation.
Senator Le Fondré did not raise his concerns directly with Senator Moore first, something the commissioner said was recommended but not required by legislation.
