❓ Opposition MP Mr. Wyatt questions the Premier about an alleged disparaging email from a Premier's advisor regarding the Minister for Transport. The Premier dismisses the issue, downplaying the significance of the language used.
AnsweredQoN 613Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MINISTER
FOR TRANSPORT — EMAIL
613. Mr B.S. WYATT to the
Premier:
I refer to reports that one of the Premier's advisers
has sent a disparaging email about the Minister for Transport to a third party.
(1) Can the
Premier confirm that his adviser referred to the Minister for Transport, and I quote
with great hesitation, as ''an absolute eff-wit''?
(2) If yes to
(1), is this the standard quality of dialogue between the Premier's
staff and third parties about his ministers?
(3) If yes to (2), has the Premier counselled his staff
member; and, if not, why not?
FOR TRANSPORT — EMAIL
613. Mr B.S. WYATT to the
Premier:
I refer to reports that one of the Premier's advisers
has sent a disparaging email about the Minister for Transport to a third party.
(1) Can the
Premier confirm that his adviser referred to the Minister for Transport, and I quote
with great hesitation, as ''an absolute eff-wit''?
(2) If yes to
(1), is this the standard quality of dialogue between the Premier's
staff and third parties about his ministers?
(3) If yes to (2), has the Premier counselled his staff
member; and, if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3)
That was brought to my attention today. I have not seen the email. I am not
interested in seeing the email.
Mrs M.H. Roberts :
Have a look.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I am not interested, but I will comment on it. My
understanding was the email was from one journalist to another.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Not
one of your staff members?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It was from one journalist to another. The member used the term ''third
party''—it was another journalist. I am not so sanctimonious; I have
noticed from time to time journalists use colourful language. I have noticed
from time to time that members of Parliament also use colourful language.
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
really do not care whether people use language like that.
Mrs M.H. Roberts :
Just him or any of them?
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
am sure the Minister for Transport can cope with that. In my career —
Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Calm down! I have sat in this chamber and had members opposite chant
obscenities at me, and I have survived. Ideally, any person communicating with
any other person would use the King's English without any dramatic
statements and the like.
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
What members opposite have called me to my face over the years makes that look
absolutely insignificant. A profanity would never come from the mouth of the
member for Collie–Preston—never ever! The member for Cockburn
would never ever say anything untoward! His lips are sealed. I mean, give us a break.
Members opposite should be serious in their questions.
That was brought to my attention today. I have not seen the email. I am not
interested in seeing the email.
Mrs M.H. Roberts :
Have a look.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I am not interested, but I will comment on it. My
understanding was the email was from one journalist to another.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Not
one of your staff members?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It was from one journalist to another. The member used the term ''third
party''—it was another journalist. I am not so sanctimonious; I have
noticed from time to time journalists use colourful language. I have noticed
from time to time that members of Parliament also use colourful language.
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
really do not care whether people use language like that.
Mrs M.H. Roberts :
Just him or any of them?
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
am sure the Minister for Transport can cope with that. In my career —
Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Calm down! I have sat in this chamber and had members opposite chant
obscenities at me, and I have survived. Ideally, any person communicating with
any other person would use the King's English without any dramatic
statements and the like.
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
What members opposite have called me to my face over the years makes that look
absolutely insignificant. A profanity would never come from the mouth of the
member for Collie–Preston—never ever! The member for Cockburn
would never ever say anything untoward! His lips are sealed. I mean, give us a break.
Members opposite should be serious in their questions.
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