Minister announces new era for Healthway

In response to concerns highlighted in a report by the Public Sector Commission, the State Government is reforming the governance structure of Healthway.

Health Minister Kim Hames said it was time to draw a line in the sand and create a legislative environment that set the organisation up for success and the restoration of Government and public confidence in it.

“This is an opportunity to completely review the legislative framework Healthway has sat within and to establish a model that allows greater public accountability and functions better aligned to the organisation’s objectives,” Dr Hames said.

“Importantly, Healthway will now operate under its own stand-alone legislation, the Western Australian Health Promotion Foundation Bill 2015, no longer tied to the Tobacco Products Control Act 2006.

“Healthway’s functions have extended beyond purely tobacco-related health issues and it’s vital that the original intent to actively support a healthier WA can be supported by the right legislation.”

Under the new legislation, the number of board members will be reduced from 11 to seven. The requirement that they be appointed as representing a specific organisation will be removed and they will be appointed by the Minister for Health on the basis of their capacity to contribute to the effective management of the organisation.

Further to Public Sector Commissioner recommendations, it is proposed that the structure of Healthway be aligned with the Lotterywest structure by ensuring:

• Healthway is a Senior Executive Service organisation
• the executive director is an employee of the Public Sector Commissioner
• employment of staff as public sector officers.

The current Healthway board will continue to progress Healthway’s functions until the transition to the new arrangements.