❓ Question regarding a tripling of abandoned calls to the Police Assistance Centre between 2009 and 2010. The Minister's response is defensive and avoids directly answering the questions, accusing the questioner of misleading the public.
AnsweredQoN 202Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
POLICE ASSISTANCE CENTRE — TELEPHONE CALLS
I refer to the Premier’s promise for an open, accountable and honest government, and to the Minister for Police’s appalling refusal yesterday to answer basic questions about the police assistance centre. (1) When was the minister first informed of this situation? (2) What has changed between the fourth quarter of 2009 and the fourth quarter of 2010 to produce a tripling in the number of abandoned calls? (3) What is the minister’s actual plan to fix the problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
I refer to the Premier’s promise for an open, accountable and honest government, and to the Minister for Police’s appalling refusal yesterday to answer basic questions about the police assistance centre. (1) When was the minister first informed of this situation? (2) What has changed between the fourth quarter of 2009 and the fourth quarter of 2010 to produce a tripling in the number of abandoned calls? (3) What is the minister’s actual plan to fix the problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) I am surprised that the member has the gall to revisit the question today after her totally misleading press release—yet another one—and the story that she appeared to co-author in the paper. Ms M.M. Quirk : You wouldn’t otherwise know what was going on! Maybe you’ll have the gall to answer my question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member wants me to answer the question. The first part of the question referred to when I first became aware of some problems in the call centre or the excessive number of calls. That was back in January, but that was in relation to a problem with some specific 000 calls. That was the initial one. Ms M.M. Quirk : What was that problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have had ongoing conversations with the commissioner and his senior officers ever since. When did I become aware of the accusations being put forward, and when the term “unanswered” was proffered by not only the member for Girrawheen, but somebody else — Ms M.M. Quirk : No; abandoned. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Unanswered rather than abandoned. When I was approached, the word “abandoned” was used. I was asked whether I was aware that there were, on average, 4 000 abandoned calls a month in that period. Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
(1) When was the minister first informed of this situation? (2) What has changed between the fourth quarter of 2009 and the fourth quarter of 2010 to produce a tripling in the number of abandoned calls? (3) What is the minister’s actual plan to fix the problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) I am surprised that the member has the gall to revisit the question today after her totally misleading press release—yet another one—and the story that she appeared to co-author in the paper. Ms M.M. Quirk : You wouldn’t otherwise know what was going on! Maybe you’ll have the gall to answer my question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member wants me to answer the question. The first part of the question referred to when I first became aware of some problems in the call centre or the excessive number of calls. That was back in January, but that was in relation to a problem with some specific 000 calls. That was the initial one. Ms M.M. Quirk : What was that problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have had ongoing conversations with the commissioner and his senior officers ever since. When did I become aware of the accusations being put forward, and when the term “unanswered” was proffered by not only the member for Girrawheen, but somebody else — Ms M.M. Quirk : No; abandoned. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Unanswered rather than abandoned. When I was approached, the word “abandoned” was used. I was asked whether I was aware that there were, on average, 4 000 abandoned calls a month in that period. Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
(2) What has changed between the fourth quarter of 2009 and the fourth quarter of 2010 to produce a tripling in the number of abandoned calls? (3) What is the minister’s actual plan to fix the problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) I am surprised that the member has the gall to revisit the question today after her totally misleading press release—yet another one—and the story that she appeared to co-author in the paper. Ms M.M. Quirk : You wouldn’t otherwise know what was going on! Maybe you’ll have the gall to answer my question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member wants me to answer the question. The first part of the question referred to when I first became aware of some problems in the call centre or the excessive number of calls. That was back in January, but that was in relation to a problem with some specific 000 calls. That was the initial one. Ms M.M. Quirk : What was that problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have had ongoing conversations with the commissioner and his senior officers ever since. When did I become aware of the accusations being put forward, and when the term “unanswered” was proffered by not only the member for Girrawheen, but somebody else — Ms M.M. Quirk : No; abandoned. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Unanswered rather than abandoned. When I was approached, the word “abandoned” was used. I was asked whether I was aware that there were, on average, 4 000 abandoned calls a month in that period. Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
(3) What is the minister’s actual plan to fix the problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) I am surprised that the member has the gall to revisit the question today after her totally misleading press release—yet another one—and the story that she appeared to co-author in the paper. Ms M.M. Quirk : You wouldn’t otherwise know what was going on! Maybe you’ll have the gall to answer my question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member wants me to answer the question. The first part of the question referred to when I first became aware of some problems in the call centre or the excessive number of calls. That was back in January, but that was in relation to a problem with some specific 000 calls. That was the initial one. Ms M.M. Quirk : What was that problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have had ongoing conversations with the commissioner and his senior officers ever since. When did I become aware of the accusations being put forward, and when the term “unanswered” was proffered by not only the member for Girrawheen, but somebody else — Ms M.M. Quirk : No; abandoned. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Unanswered rather than abandoned. When I was approached, the word “abandoned” was used. I was asked whether I was aware that there were, on average, 4 000 abandoned calls a month in that period. Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) I am surprised that the member has the gall to revisit the question today after her totally misleading press release—yet another one—and the story that she appeared to co-author in the paper. Ms M.M. Quirk : You wouldn’t otherwise know what was going on! Maybe you’ll have the gall to answer my question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member wants me to answer the question. The first part of the question referred to when I first became aware of some problems in the call centre or the excessive number of calls. That was back in January, but that was in relation to a problem with some specific 000 calls. That was the initial one. Ms M.M. Quirk : What was that problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have had ongoing conversations with the commissioner and his senior officers ever since. When did I become aware of the accusations being put forward, and when the term “unanswered” was proffered by not only the member for Girrawheen, but somebody else — Ms M.M. Quirk : No; abandoned. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Unanswered rather than abandoned. When I was approached, the word “abandoned” was used. I was asked whether I was aware that there were, on average, 4 000 abandoned calls a month in that period. Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
(1)–(3) I am surprised that the member has the gall to revisit the question today after her totally misleading press release—yet another one—and the story that she appeared to co-author in the paper. Ms M.M. Quirk : You wouldn’t otherwise know what was going on! Maybe you’ll have the gall to answer my question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member wants me to answer the question. The first part of the question referred to when I first became aware of some problems in the call centre or the excessive number of calls. That was back in January, but that was in relation to a problem with some specific 000 calls. That was the initial one. Ms M.M. Quirk : What was that problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have had ongoing conversations with the commissioner and his senior officers ever since. When did I become aware of the accusations being put forward, and when the term “unanswered” was proffered by not only the member for Girrawheen, but somebody else — Ms M.M. Quirk : No; abandoned. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Unanswered rather than abandoned. When I was approached, the word “abandoned” was used. I was asked whether I was aware that there were, on average, 4 000 abandoned calls a month in that period. Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Ms M.M. Quirk : You wouldn’t otherwise know what was going on! Maybe you’ll have the gall to answer my question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member wants me to answer the question. The first part of the question referred to when I first became aware of some problems in the call centre or the excessive number of calls. That was back in January, but that was in relation to a problem with some specific 000 calls. That was the initial one. Ms M.M. Quirk : What was that problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have had ongoing conversations with the commissioner and his senior officers ever since. When did I become aware of the accusations being put forward, and when the term “unanswered” was proffered by not only the member for Girrawheen, but somebody else — Ms M.M. Quirk : No; abandoned. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Unanswered rather than abandoned. When I was approached, the word “abandoned” was used. I was asked whether I was aware that there were, on average, 4 000 abandoned calls a month in that period. Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member wants me to answer the question. The first part of the question referred to when I first became aware of some problems in the call centre or the excessive number of calls. That was back in January, but that was in relation to a problem with some specific 000 calls. That was the initial one. Ms M.M. Quirk : What was that problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have had ongoing conversations with the commissioner and his senior officers ever since. When did I become aware of the accusations being put forward, and when the term “unanswered” was proffered by not only the member for Girrawheen, but somebody else — Ms M.M. Quirk : No; abandoned. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Unanswered rather than abandoned. When I was approached, the word “abandoned” was used. I was asked whether I was aware that there were, on average, 4 000 abandoned calls a month in that period. Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Ms M.M. Quirk : What was that problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have had ongoing conversations with the commissioner and his senior officers ever since. When did I become aware of the accusations being put forward, and when the term “unanswered” was proffered by not only the member for Girrawheen, but somebody else — Ms M.M. Quirk : No; abandoned. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Unanswered rather than abandoned. When I was approached, the word “abandoned” was used. I was asked whether I was aware that there were, on average, 4 000 abandoned calls a month in that period. Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have had ongoing conversations with the commissioner and his senior officers ever since. When did I become aware of the accusations being put forward, and when the term “unanswered” was proffered by not only the member for Girrawheen, but somebody else — Ms M.M. Quirk : No; abandoned. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Unanswered rather than abandoned. When I was approached, the word “abandoned” was used. I was asked whether I was aware that there were, on average, 4 000 abandoned calls a month in that period. Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Ms M.M. Quirk : No; abandoned. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Unanswered rather than abandoned. When I was approached, the word “abandoned” was used. I was asked whether I was aware that there were, on average, 4 000 abandoned calls a month in that period. Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Unanswered rather than abandoned. When I was approached, the word “abandoned” was used. I was asked whether I was aware that there were, on average, 4 000 abandoned calls a month in that period. Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
(1) When was the minister first informed of this situation? (2) What has changed between the fourth quarter of 2009 and the fourth quarter of 2010 to produce a tripling in the number of abandoned calls? (3) What is the minister’s actual plan to fix the problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) I am surprised that the member has the gall to revisit the question today after her totally misleading press release—yet another one—and the story that she appeared to co-author in the paper. Ms M.M. Quirk : You wouldn’t otherwise know what was going on! Maybe you’ll have the gall to answer my question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member wants me to answer the question. The first part of the question referred to when I first became aware of some problems in the call centre or the excessive number of calls. That was back in January, but that was in relation to a problem with some specific 000 calls. That was the initial one. Ms M.M. Quirk : What was that problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have had ongoing conversations with the commissioner and his senior officers ever since. When did I become aware of the accusations being put forward, and when the term “unanswered” was proffered by not only the member for Girrawheen, but somebody else — Ms M.M. Quirk : No; abandoned. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Unanswered rather than abandoned. When I was approached, the word “abandoned” was used. I was asked whether I was aware that there were, on average, 4 000 abandoned calls a month in that period. Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
(2) What has changed between the fourth quarter of 2009 and the fourth quarter of 2010 to produce a tripling in the number of abandoned calls? (3) What is the minister’s actual plan to fix the problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) I am surprised that the member has the gall to revisit the question today after her totally misleading press release—yet another one—and the story that she appeared to co-author in the paper. Ms M.M. Quirk : You wouldn’t otherwise know what was going on! Maybe you’ll have the gall to answer my question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member wants me to answer the question. The first part of the question referred to when I first became aware of some problems in the call centre or the excessive number of calls. That was back in January, but that was in relation to a problem with some specific 000 calls. That was the initial one. Ms M.M. Quirk : What was that problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have had ongoing conversations with the commissioner and his senior officers ever since. When did I become aware of the accusations being put forward, and when the term “unanswered” was proffered by not only the member for Girrawheen, but somebody else — Ms M.M. Quirk : No; abandoned. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Unanswered rather than abandoned. When I was approached, the word “abandoned” was used. I was asked whether I was aware that there were, on average, 4 000 abandoned calls a month in that period. Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
(3) What is the minister’s actual plan to fix the problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) I am surprised that the member has the gall to revisit the question today after her totally misleading press release—yet another one—and the story that she appeared to co-author in the paper. Ms M.M. Quirk : You wouldn’t otherwise know what was going on! Maybe you’ll have the gall to answer my question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member wants me to answer the question. The first part of the question referred to when I first became aware of some problems in the call centre or the excessive number of calls. That was back in January, but that was in relation to a problem with some specific 000 calls. That was the initial one. Ms M.M. Quirk : What was that problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have had ongoing conversations with the commissioner and his senior officers ever since. When did I become aware of the accusations being put forward, and when the term “unanswered” was proffered by not only the member for Girrawheen, but somebody else — Ms M.M. Quirk : No; abandoned. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Unanswered rather than abandoned. When I was approached, the word “abandoned” was used. I was asked whether I was aware that there were, on average, 4 000 abandoned calls a month in that period. Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: (1)–(3) I am surprised that the member has the gall to revisit the question today after her totally misleading press release—yet another one—and the story that she appeared to co-author in the paper. Ms M.M. Quirk : You wouldn’t otherwise know what was going on! Maybe you’ll have the gall to answer my question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member wants me to answer the question. The first part of the question referred to when I first became aware of some problems in the call centre or the excessive number of calls. That was back in January, but that was in relation to a problem with some specific 000 calls. That was the initial one. Ms M.M. Quirk : What was that problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have had ongoing conversations with the commissioner and his senior officers ever since. When did I become aware of the accusations being put forward, and when the term “unanswered” was proffered by not only the member for Girrawheen, but somebody else — Ms M.M. Quirk : No; abandoned. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Unanswered rather than abandoned. When I was approached, the word “abandoned” was used. I was asked whether I was aware that there were, on average, 4 000 abandoned calls a month in that period. Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
(1)–(3) I am surprised that the member has the gall to revisit the question today after her totally misleading press release—yet another one—and the story that she appeared to co-author in the paper. Ms M.M. Quirk : You wouldn’t otherwise know what was going on! Maybe you’ll have the gall to answer my question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member wants me to answer the question. The first part of the question referred to when I first became aware of some problems in the call centre or the excessive number of calls. That was back in January, but that was in relation to a problem with some specific 000 calls. That was the initial one. Ms M.M. Quirk : What was that problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have had ongoing conversations with the commissioner and his senior officers ever since. When did I become aware of the accusations being put forward, and when the term “unanswered” was proffered by not only the member for Girrawheen, but somebody else — Ms M.M. Quirk : No; abandoned. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Unanswered rather than abandoned. When I was approached, the word “abandoned” was used. I was asked whether I was aware that there were, on average, 4 000 abandoned calls a month in that period. Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Ms M.M. Quirk : You wouldn’t otherwise know what was going on! Maybe you’ll have the gall to answer my question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member wants me to answer the question. The first part of the question referred to when I first became aware of some problems in the call centre or the excessive number of calls. That was back in January, but that was in relation to a problem with some specific 000 calls. That was the initial one. Ms M.M. Quirk : What was that problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have had ongoing conversations with the commissioner and his senior officers ever since. When did I become aware of the accusations being put forward, and when the term “unanswered” was proffered by not only the member for Girrawheen, but somebody else — Ms M.M. Quirk : No; abandoned. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Unanswered rather than abandoned. When I was approached, the word “abandoned” was used. I was asked whether I was aware that there were, on average, 4 000 abandoned calls a month in that period. Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The member wants me to answer the question. The first part of the question referred to when I first became aware of some problems in the call centre or the excessive number of calls. That was back in January, but that was in relation to a problem with some specific 000 calls. That was the initial one. Ms M.M. Quirk : What was that problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have had ongoing conversations with the commissioner and his senior officers ever since. When did I become aware of the accusations being put forward, and when the term “unanswered” was proffered by not only the member for Girrawheen, but somebody else — Ms M.M. Quirk : No; abandoned. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Unanswered rather than abandoned. When I was approached, the word “abandoned” was used. I was asked whether I was aware that there were, on average, 4 000 abandoned calls a month in that period. Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Ms M.M. Quirk : What was that problem? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have had ongoing conversations with the commissioner and his senior officers ever since. When did I become aware of the accusations being put forward, and when the term “unanswered” was proffered by not only the member for Girrawheen, but somebody else — Ms M.M. Quirk : No; abandoned. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Unanswered rather than abandoned. When I was approached, the word “abandoned” was used. I was asked whether I was aware that there were, on average, 4 000 abandoned calls a month in that period. Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I have had ongoing conversations with the commissioner and his senior officers ever since. When did I become aware of the accusations being put forward, and when the term “unanswered” was proffered by not only the member for Girrawheen, but somebody else — Ms M.M. Quirk : No; abandoned. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Unanswered rather than abandoned. When I was approached, the word “abandoned” was used. I was asked whether I was aware that there were, on average, 4 000 abandoned calls a month in that period. Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Ms M.M. Quirk : No; abandoned. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Unanswered rather than abandoned. When I was approached, the word “abandoned” was used. I was asked whether I was aware that there were, on average, 4 000 abandoned calls a month in that period. Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Unanswered rather than abandoned. When I was approached, the word “abandoned” was used. I was asked whether I was aware that there were, on average, 4 000 abandoned calls a month in that period. Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Were you aware of that before you were asked? Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : No; I was not aware of the exact figure. I was aware that there was something in motion, obviously, that the member for Girrawheen and her friend were working on. The point is this: the member for Girrawheen misled the whole of WA because she called them “unanswered” calls. I explained yesterday that no calls that go to the 131 444 centre number — Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Just answer the question. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I am answering the question, but I will answer it in my way. The Leader of the Opposition can answer questions in his way, but I will answer this question my way. Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr J.R. Quigley : When I rang up to say there was someone looking through my window at me having a shower — Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : For goodness sake; don’t you start! Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr J.R. Quigley : — the police did not come out and arrest the bloke! There was a pervert at my window perving on me taking a shower! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
The SPEAKER : Order! As I understand it, the member for Girrawheen has asked a question of the Minister for Police. I understand, and, hopefully, as other people in this place understand, the minister is endeavouring to answer the question. Member for Mindarie, I formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Mr Speaker, I would cut my own throat before I would willingly look at the member for Mindarie, I can tell you. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : In fact, I had a nightmare last night—but I will continue with my answer. I will not go into the nightmare; it might be too amusing for some people. I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
I think it important that members of Parliament, particularly ministers and shadow ministers, tell the truth and do not try to mislead the public of Western Australia. I think the member for Girrawheen misled people when she called them unanswered — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told the member when I found out. What was the other part of the question? Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Several members interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Do not get in a panic. The reason for the 000 — Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You won’t sit down. You blather on for five minutes and you won’t answer the question. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : This is what delays question time; the Leader of the Opposition will keep interjecting, like his mate behind him. No, he is not a mate; he is one of the ones guilty of trying to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
The reason for the increase in the number of calls that were technically abandoned—as the member knows, that means that those calls were not unanswered, but that people decide that perhaps they should not call that number and should phone something else, and they put the phone down—is the many more calls coming through from four regional areas. As the member was aware, that line was so popular because people were able to speak directly to the operators of the 131 444 number to have certain actions put in place. It was, if I can put it this way, a casualty of its own success. What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
What else are we doing? The police tell me that more staff have been allocated. They have to be trained. As I said yesterday — Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Ms M.M. Quirk : Five per cent more staff and 25 per cent more calls. Good one! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : The day I take advice from the member, is the day I give up; I promise her. In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
In answer to the member for Girrawheen’s question, we are looking to allocate more space, because that service is growing in popularity with the public in not only the metropolitan area, but also the regional areas. People are sending calls to the 131 444 number, which is a good idea; we want them to do that. Therefore, it is a victim of its own success in many respects. Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr F.M. Logan : You’re still drowning, minister. You were drowning yesterday and you’re going under water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Sorry? Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr F.M. Logan : You’re going under water today. You were drowning yesterday. You are slipping under the water today. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : Please do not talk about water; it upsets me, particularly when it is coming down in a shower arrangement. Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr J.R. Quigley interjected. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I told members that I had a nightmare last night: I woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and I had my head under the covers because in my nightmare I could see the member for Mindarie on TV screens the size of billboards! It is bad enough on a normal-sized television screen, but to see him shaving his head on a TV the size of a billboard is enough to frighten anybody! I think they should reclassify the Australian Story program next Monday, if it is a repeat of last Monday’s program.
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