❓ The Leader of the Opposition questions the Premier about an alleged investigation into businesspeople who commissioned a poll. The Premier denies any such investigation exists.
AnsweredQoN 599Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
REACHTEL POLL — DEPARTMENT OF THE PREMIER AND CABINET — PUBLIC SECTOR COMMISSION 599. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier: I refer the Premier to the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and the Public Sector Commission investigation into the dealings of the businesspeople who commissioned the poll into his government. (1) What are the terms of reference for this investigation? (2) When is the investigation expected to be completed? (3) Will the Premier commit to releasing all information once the investigation is complete? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) I cannot answer that question for the simple reason that there is no investigation. How can I give the Leader of the Opposition the terms of reference — Mr M. McGowan : Why did you say there was? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I did not say that at all. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
599. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier: I refer the Premier to the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and the Public Sector Commission investigation into the dealings of the businesspeople who commissioned the poll into his government. (1) What are the terms of reference for this investigation? (2) When is the investigation expected to be completed? (3) Will the Premier commit to releasing all information once the investigation is complete? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I cannot answer that question for the simple reason that there is no investigation. How can I give the Leader of the Opposition the terms of reference — Mr M. McGowan : Why did you say there was? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I did not say that at all. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
I refer the Premier to the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and the Public Sector Commission investigation into the dealings of the businesspeople who commissioned the poll into his government. (1) What are the terms of reference for this investigation? (2) When is the investigation expected to be completed? (3) Will the Premier commit to releasing all information once the investigation is complete? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I cannot answer that question for the simple reason that there is no investigation. How can I give the Leader of the Opposition the terms of reference — Mr M. McGowan : Why did you say there was? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I did not say that at all. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
(1) What are the terms of reference for this investigation? (2) When is the investigation expected to be completed? (3) Will the Premier commit to releasing all information once the investigation is complete? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I cannot answer that question for the simple reason that there is no investigation. How can I give the Leader of the Opposition the terms of reference — Mr M. McGowan : Why did you say there was? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I did not say that at all. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
(2) When is the investigation expected to be completed? (3) Will the Premier commit to releasing all information once the investigation is complete? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I cannot answer that question for the simple reason that there is no investigation. How can I give the Leader of the Opposition the terms of reference — Mr M. McGowan : Why did you say there was? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I did not say that at all. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
(3) Will the Premier commit to releasing all information once the investigation is complete? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I cannot answer that question for the simple reason that there is no investigation. How can I give the Leader of the Opposition the terms of reference — Mr M. McGowan : Why did you say there was? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I did not say that at all. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I cannot answer that question for the simple reason that there is no investigation. How can I give the Leader of the Opposition the terms of reference — Mr M. McGowan : Why did you say there was? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I did not say that at all. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
(1)–(3) I cannot answer that question for the simple reason that there is no investigation. How can I give the Leader of the Opposition the terms of reference — Mr M. McGowan : Why did you say there was? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I did not say that at all. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr M. McGowan : Why did you say there was? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I did not say that at all. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I did not say that at all. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
599. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier: I refer the Premier to the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and the Public Sector Commission investigation into the dealings of the businesspeople who commissioned the poll into his government. (1) What are the terms of reference for this investigation? (2) When is the investigation expected to be completed? (3) Will the Premier commit to releasing all information once the investigation is complete? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I cannot answer that question for the simple reason that there is no investigation. How can I give the Leader of the Opposition the terms of reference — Mr M. McGowan : Why did you say there was? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I did not say that at all. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
I refer the Premier to the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and the Public Sector Commission investigation into the dealings of the businesspeople who commissioned the poll into his government. (1) What are the terms of reference for this investigation? (2) When is the investigation expected to be completed? (3) Will the Premier commit to releasing all information once the investigation is complete? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I cannot answer that question for the simple reason that there is no investigation. How can I give the Leader of the Opposition the terms of reference — Mr M. McGowan : Why did you say there was? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I did not say that at all. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
(1) What are the terms of reference for this investigation? (2) When is the investigation expected to be completed? (3) Will the Premier commit to releasing all information once the investigation is complete? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I cannot answer that question for the simple reason that there is no investigation. How can I give the Leader of the Opposition the terms of reference — Mr M. McGowan : Why did you say there was? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I did not say that at all. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
(2) When is the investigation expected to be completed? (3) Will the Premier commit to releasing all information once the investigation is complete? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I cannot answer that question for the simple reason that there is no investigation. How can I give the Leader of the Opposition the terms of reference — Mr M. McGowan : Why did you say there was? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I did not say that at all. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
(3) Will the Premier commit to releasing all information once the investigation is complete? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I cannot answer that question for the simple reason that there is no investigation. How can I give the Leader of the Opposition the terms of reference — Mr M. McGowan : Why did you say there was? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I did not say that at all. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I cannot answer that question for the simple reason that there is no investigation. How can I give the Leader of the Opposition the terms of reference — Mr M. McGowan : Why did you say there was? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I did not say that at all. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
(1)–(3) I cannot answer that question for the simple reason that there is no investigation. How can I give the Leader of the Opposition the terms of reference — Mr M. McGowan : Why did you say there was? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I did not say that at all. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr M. McGowan : Why did you say there was? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I did not say that at all. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I did not say that at all. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
The SPEAKER : Thank you! Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no investigation. I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition got that from. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not. It is very clear. When I became aware of the so-called polling and online speculation about it, I will tell the Leader of the Opposition exactly what I did—exactly what a Premier should do as a matter of integrity — Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen, because members opposite did not do this when they were in government. Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr M. McGowan : Where’s the inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : They did not do it. That is one of the reasons they had so many ministers before the CCC. Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Ms R. Saffioti interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
The SPEAKER : Thank you! Let us move on. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is a sharp difference between what this government does and what happened under Labor. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : History will tell the story. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will answer the question. When I became aware that a group of very wealthy businesspeople had taken it upon themselves to conduct some polling, for whatever reason, I felt very uneasy about that—very uneasy indeed. An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
An opposition member interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : No. If you ask a serious question, you should listen to the answer. Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I had my chief of staff come down to the Parliament, and I told him what I was aware of, which was simply what was out there publicly—my first knowledge of it. I said that I felt very uneasy about that if it was in any sense an attempt to interfere or influence government, and I therefore asked him — Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr R.F. Johnson interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
The SPEAKER : Member for Hillarys, that is enough. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I asked him to immediately go to the acting head of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and advise him of what had been circulated, and that I was concerned about that—nothing more. I have an expectation that he would have discussed that with the Public Sector Commission, and I understand that that certainly took place. My concern is not so much the actions of those businesspeople; my concern is has that brought undue influence or interfered with the proper functioning of government? That is my responsibility. Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr M. McGowan : Is there an inquiry? Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is my responsibility as Premier. What action the commission takes is up to it. Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr M. McGowan : It is the head of your department. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Listen! To the very best of my knowledge, there is no inquiry being undertaken whatsoever. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think some of the businesspeople concerned have claimed that there has been monitoring of messages or emails or whatever else. I have no knowledge of that. I do not believe that that is happening at all. There is no inquiry. There is no instruction from me or my office for there to be an inquiry within the public sector. However, outside bodies could be. I do not think they are, but they could be—whether they be state or federal.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.