Former road safety chief Kim Papalia flays probe into Western Force sponsorship

Former road safety chief Kim Papalia has hit out at a corruption investigation of a Barnett government decision to sponsor rugby team Western Force, while questioning the amount of money paid to businessman John Langoulant to examine the affair.

A Corruption and Crime Commission report released last week formed no opinion of serious misconduct against Mr Papalia over the sponsorship deal but said he did not discharge his duties as head of a government department as he should have.

The previous WA government announced a $1.5 million sponsorship of Western Force on the eve of the State election in March last year, sparking questions as to why speeding-fine money was being used to prop up a failing rugby team.

Mr Papalia, who was head of the Road Safety Commission at the time, said the issue had now been examined by three authorities — the police, the Langoulant inquiry and the CCC and no misconduct had been identified.

“When I was examined by the CCC, it was on the basis of a presumption of guilt and I was required to prove my innocence,” he said.

Mr Papalia questioned how the CCC inquiry was influenced by the Langoulant inquiry, set up by the incoming McGowan Government to examine past deals by the Liberals and WA Nationals.

“Mr Langoulant was appointed pursuant to the Public Sector Management Act by the Public Sector Commissioner, and paid $220 per hour plus super — good work if you can get it,” he said.

Mr Papalia said it was his understanding the CCC interviewed just three people as part of its probe, including himself and his deputy Chris Adams.

“I also understand that no one at Australian Rugby Union or Western Force has been asked any questions in relation to our engagement or conduct,” he said. “Further raising my concerns regarding the CCC inquiry, they did not even ask me if I had benefited from the partnership with Western Force.

“For the record, apart from the intrinsic value of the reduction of death and serious injury on our roads, I did not, nor did any of my family, receive any benefits from this partnership.”

The CCC report detailed how a request for funds from the Western Force made in January last year was rejected by a Road Safety Commission business case officer, who warned the club was at risk of folding and cautioned of the “political implications” in government partnering with an elite sporting organisation.

The recommendation was ignored and another officer reviewed the proposal in more favourable terms three days later.

Mr Papalia recommended the sponsorship go ahead and then police minister Liza Harvey signed off on the plan on the day State Parliament was dissolved.