❓ Question regarding allegations of police targeting Liberal Party functions. Minister denies bias, stating operations targeted licensed premises, not specifically the party.
AnsweredQoN 422Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SENATOR DAVID JOHNSTON - POLICE TARGETING OF LIBERAL PARTY FUNCTIONS
Is the minister aware of the allegations Senator David Johnston made last Friday that the police in the south west deliberately targeted recently held Liberal Party functions in Bunbury and Boyanup? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
Is the minister aware of the allegations Senator David Johnston made last Friday that the police in the south west deliberately targeted recently held Liberal Party functions in Bunbury and Boyanup? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. It should be noted that Senator Johnston has exceeded his bizarre performance in the federal Parliament with the comments alluded to by the member for Albany. The senator suggested last week that the police service had shown anti-Liberal Party bias because mainstream police operations that were targeting drink drivers were also targeting Liberal Party members. The fact is that there is no conspiracy in the police targeting licensed liquor outlets. When police target drink driving, they often set up operations outside hotels. Perhaps it is news to Senator Johnston that when the police target drink driving, they do not target childcare centres, churches or schools; however, they do target hotels. In fact, the licensed premises at which the Liberal Party function was held in Bunbury was one of eight local licensed premises to be targeted. The seven other establishments did not complain. They did not think that there had been any bias. Only Senator Johnston believes that bias was shown because the premises at which the Liberal Party function was held was targeted. The local superintendent has confirmed that police activity in Boyanup on the weekend in question had nothing to do with the Liberal Party function and that it was part of the police’s normal operations for targeting drink drivers and checking drivers’ licences. According to the contact sheets of the police, the Boyanup operation lasted only 24 minutes, during which 30 vehicles were checked. I am pleased that a number of members opposite have publicly - Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Leschenault to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : A number of members opposite have publicly rejected Senator Johnston’s ridiculous accusations. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Leschenault to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I hope that those members within the Liberal Party organisation will seek to rein in this rogue senator, because he not bringing any credit to the Liberal Party or to members of Parliament. It is interesting to note the interjections of the member for Leschenault, who has a record of wanting it both ways and of saying one thing and then doing the opposite. Although he staunchly defended the work of local police - one would hope that he would - the member for Leschenault felt that Senator Johnston raised some incredibly important issues. Given that Senator Johnston attacked the Western Australia Police and the Commissioner of Police in particular, and given that he has made some extraordinary accusations without any substance about the police being corrupt, perhaps the member for Leschenault might like to expand on those areas in which he believes Senator Johnston has some validity, and perhaps he would like to do so outside this house.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. It should be noted that Senator Johnston has exceeded his bizarre performance in the federal Parliament with the comments alluded to by the member for Albany. The senator suggested last week that the police service had shown anti-Liberal Party bias because mainstream police operations that were targeting drink drivers were also targeting Liberal Party members. The fact is that there is no conspiracy in the police targeting licensed liquor outlets. When police target drink driving, they often set up operations outside hotels. Perhaps it is news to Senator Johnston that when the police target drink driving, they do not target childcare centres, churches or schools; however, they do target hotels. In fact, the licensed premises at which the Liberal Party function was held in Bunbury was one of eight local licensed premises to be targeted. The seven other establishments did not complain. They did not think that there had been any bias. Only Senator Johnston believes that bias was shown because the premises at which the Liberal Party function was held was targeted. The local superintendent has confirmed that police activity in Boyanup on the weekend in question had nothing to do with the Liberal Party function and that it was part of the police’s normal operations for targeting drink drivers and checking drivers’ licences. According to the contact sheets of the police, the Boyanup operation lasted only 24 minutes, during which 30 vehicles were checked. I am pleased that a number of members opposite have publicly - Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Leschenault to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : A number of members opposite have publicly rejected Senator Johnston’s ridiculous accusations. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Leschenault to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I hope that those members within the Liberal Party organisation will seek to rein in this rogue senator, because he not bringing any credit to the Liberal Party or to members of Parliament. It is interesting to note the interjections of the member for Leschenault, who has a record of wanting it both ways and of saying one thing and then doing the opposite. Although he staunchly defended the work of local police - one would hope that he would - the member for Leschenault felt that Senator Johnston raised some incredibly important issues. Given that Senator Johnston attacked the Western Australia Police and the Commissioner of Police in particular, and given that he has made some extraordinary accusations without any substance about the police being corrupt, perhaps the member for Leschenault might like to expand on those areas in which he believes Senator Johnston has some validity, and perhaps he would like to do so outside this house.
I thank the member for the question. It should be noted that Senator Johnston has exceeded his bizarre performance in the federal Parliament with the comments alluded to by the member for Albany. The senator suggested last week that the police service had shown anti-Liberal Party bias because mainstream police operations that were targeting drink drivers were also targeting Liberal Party members. The fact is that there is no conspiracy in the police targeting licensed liquor outlets. When police target drink driving, they often set up operations outside hotels. Perhaps it is news to Senator Johnston that when the police target drink driving, they do not target childcare centres, churches or schools; however, they do target hotels. In fact, the licensed premises at which the Liberal Party function was held in Bunbury was one of eight local licensed premises to be targeted. The seven other establishments did not complain. They did not think that there had been any bias. Only Senator Johnston believes that bias was shown because the premises at which the Liberal Party function was held was targeted. The local superintendent has confirmed that police activity in Boyanup on the weekend in question had nothing to do with the Liberal Party function and that it was part of the police’s normal operations for targeting drink drivers and checking drivers’ licences. According to the contact sheets of the police, the Boyanup operation lasted only 24 minutes, during which 30 vehicles were checked. I am pleased that a number of members opposite have publicly - Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Leschenault to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : A number of members opposite have publicly rejected Senator Johnston’s ridiculous accusations. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Leschenault to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I hope that those members within the Liberal Party organisation will seek to rein in this rogue senator, because he not bringing any credit to the Liberal Party or to members of Parliament. It is interesting to note the interjections of the member for Leschenault, who has a record of wanting it both ways and of saying one thing and then doing the opposite. Although he staunchly defended the work of local police - one would hope that he would - the member for Leschenault felt that Senator Johnston raised some incredibly important issues. Given that Senator Johnston attacked the Western Australia Police and the Commissioner of Police in particular, and given that he has made some extraordinary accusations without any substance about the police being corrupt, perhaps the member for Leschenault might like to expand on those areas in which he believes Senator Johnston has some validity, and perhaps he would like to do so outside this house.
Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Leschenault to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : A number of members opposite have publicly rejected Senator Johnston’s ridiculous accusations. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Leschenault to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I hope that those members within the Liberal Party organisation will seek to rein in this rogue senator, because he not bringing any credit to the Liberal Party or to members of Parliament. It is interesting to note the interjections of the member for Leschenault, who has a record of wanting it both ways and of saying one thing and then doing the opposite. Although he staunchly defended the work of local police - one would hope that he would - the member for Leschenault felt that Senator Johnston raised some incredibly important issues. Given that Senator Johnston attacked the Western Australia Police and the Commissioner of Police in particular, and given that he has made some extraordinary accusations without any substance about the police being corrupt, perhaps the member for Leschenault might like to expand on those areas in which he believes Senator Johnston has some validity, and perhaps he would like to do so outside this house.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Leschenault to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : A number of members opposite have publicly rejected Senator Johnston’s ridiculous accusations. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Leschenault to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I hope that those members within the Liberal Party organisation will seek to rein in this rogue senator, because he not bringing any credit to the Liberal Party or to members of Parliament. It is interesting to note the interjections of the member for Leschenault, who has a record of wanting it both ways and of saying one thing and then doing the opposite. Although he staunchly defended the work of local police - one would hope that he would - the member for Leschenault felt that Senator Johnston raised some incredibly important issues. Given that Senator Johnston attacked the Western Australia Police and the Commissioner of Police in particular, and given that he has made some extraordinary accusations without any substance about the police being corrupt, perhaps the member for Leschenault might like to expand on those areas in which he believes Senator Johnston has some validity, and perhaps he would like to do so outside this house.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : A number of members opposite have publicly rejected Senator Johnston’s ridiculous accusations. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Leschenault to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I hope that those members within the Liberal Party organisation will seek to rein in this rogue senator, because he not bringing any credit to the Liberal Party or to members of Parliament. It is interesting to note the interjections of the member for Leschenault, who has a record of wanting it both ways and of saying one thing and then doing the opposite. Although he staunchly defended the work of local police - one would hope that he would - the member for Leschenault felt that Senator Johnston raised some incredibly important issues. Given that Senator Johnston attacked the Western Australia Police and the Commissioner of Police in particular, and given that he has made some extraordinary accusations without any substance about the police being corrupt, perhaps the member for Leschenault might like to expand on those areas in which he believes Senator Johnston has some validity, and perhaps he would like to do so outside this house.
Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Leschenault to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I hope that those members within the Liberal Party organisation will seek to rein in this rogue senator, because he not bringing any credit to the Liberal Party or to members of Parliament. It is interesting to note the interjections of the member for Leschenault, who has a record of wanting it both ways and of saying one thing and then doing the opposite. Although he staunchly defended the work of local police - one would hope that he would - the member for Leschenault felt that Senator Johnston raised some incredibly important issues. Given that Senator Johnston attacked the Western Australia Police and the Commissioner of Police in particular, and given that he has made some extraordinary accusations without any substance about the police being corrupt, perhaps the member for Leschenault might like to expand on those areas in which he believes Senator Johnston has some validity, and perhaps he would like to do so outside this house.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Leschenault to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I hope that those members within the Liberal Party organisation will seek to rein in this rogue senator, because he not bringing any credit to the Liberal Party or to members of Parliament. It is interesting to note the interjections of the member for Leschenault, who has a record of wanting it both ways and of saying one thing and then doing the opposite. Although he staunchly defended the work of local police - one would hope that he would - the member for Leschenault felt that Senator Johnston raised some incredibly important issues. Given that Senator Johnston attacked the Western Australia Police and the Commissioner of Police in particular, and given that he has made some extraordinary accusations without any substance about the police being corrupt, perhaps the member for Leschenault might like to expand on those areas in which he believes Senator Johnston has some validity, and perhaps he would like to do so outside this house.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I hope that those members within the Liberal Party organisation will seek to rein in this rogue senator, because he not bringing any credit to the Liberal Party or to members of Parliament. It is interesting to note the interjections of the member for Leschenault, who has a record of wanting it both ways and of saying one thing and then doing the opposite. Although he staunchly defended the work of local police - one would hope that he would - the member for Leschenault felt that Senator Johnston raised some incredibly important issues. Given that Senator Johnston attacked the Western Australia Police and the Commissioner of Police in particular, and given that he has made some extraordinary accusations without any substance about the police being corrupt, perhaps the member for Leschenault might like to expand on those areas in which he believes Senator Johnston has some validity, and perhaps he would like to do so outside this house.
It is interesting to note the interjections of the member for Leschenault, who has a record of wanting it both ways and of saying one thing and then doing the opposite. Although he staunchly defended the work of local police - one would hope that he would - the member for Leschenault felt that Senator Johnston raised some incredibly important issues. Given that Senator Johnston attacked the Western Australia Police and the Commissioner of Police in particular, and given that he has made some extraordinary accusations without any substance about the police being corrupt, perhaps the member for Leschenault might like to expand on those areas in which he believes Senator Johnston has some validity, and perhaps he would like to do so outside this house.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. It should be noted that Senator Johnston has exceeded his bizarre performance in the federal Parliament with the comments alluded to by the member for Albany. The senator suggested last week that the police service had shown anti-Liberal Party bias because mainstream police operations that were targeting drink drivers were also targeting Liberal Party members. The fact is that there is no conspiracy in the police targeting licensed liquor outlets. When police target drink driving, they often set up operations outside hotels. Perhaps it is news to Senator Johnston that when the police target drink driving, they do not target childcare centres, churches or schools; however, they do target hotels. In fact, the licensed premises at which the Liberal Party function was held in Bunbury was one of eight local licensed premises to be targeted. The seven other establishments did not complain. They did not think that there had been any bias. Only Senator Johnston believes that bias was shown because the premises at which the Liberal Party function was held was targeted. The local superintendent has confirmed that police activity in Boyanup on the weekend in question had nothing to do with the Liberal Party function and that it was part of the police’s normal operations for targeting drink drivers and checking drivers’ licences. According to the contact sheets of the police, the Boyanup operation lasted only 24 minutes, during which 30 vehicles were checked. I am pleased that a number of members opposite have publicly - Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Leschenault to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : A number of members opposite have publicly rejected Senator Johnston’s ridiculous accusations. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Leschenault to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I hope that those members within the Liberal Party organisation will seek to rein in this rogue senator, because he not bringing any credit to the Liberal Party or to members of Parliament. It is interesting to note the interjections of the member for Leschenault, who has a record of wanting it both ways and of saying one thing and then doing the opposite. Although he staunchly defended the work of local police - one would hope that he would - the member for Leschenault felt that Senator Johnston raised some incredibly important issues. Given that Senator Johnston attacked the Western Australia Police and the Commissioner of Police in particular, and given that he has made some extraordinary accusations without any substance about the police being corrupt, perhaps the member for Leschenault might like to expand on those areas in which he believes Senator Johnston has some validity, and perhaps he would like to do so outside this house.
I thank the member for the question. It should be noted that Senator Johnston has exceeded his bizarre performance in the federal Parliament with the comments alluded to by the member for Albany. The senator suggested last week that the police service had shown anti-Liberal Party bias because mainstream police operations that were targeting drink drivers were also targeting Liberal Party members. The fact is that there is no conspiracy in the police targeting licensed liquor outlets. When police target drink driving, they often set up operations outside hotels. Perhaps it is news to Senator Johnston that when the police target drink driving, they do not target childcare centres, churches or schools; however, they do target hotels. In fact, the licensed premises at which the Liberal Party function was held in Bunbury was one of eight local licensed premises to be targeted. The seven other establishments did not complain. They did not think that there had been any bias. Only Senator Johnston believes that bias was shown because the premises at which the Liberal Party function was held was targeted. The local superintendent has confirmed that police activity in Boyanup on the weekend in question had nothing to do with the Liberal Party function and that it was part of the police’s normal operations for targeting drink drivers and checking drivers’ licences. According to the contact sheets of the police, the Boyanup operation lasted only 24 minutes, during which 30 vehicles were checked. I am pleased that a number of members opposite have publicly - Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Leschenault to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : A number of members opposite have publicly rejected Senator Johnston’s ridiculous accusations. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Leschenault to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I hope that those members within the Liberal Party organisation will seek to rein in this rogue senator, because he not bringing any credit to the Liberal Party or to members of Parliament. It is interesting to note the interjections of the member for Leschenault, who has a record of wanting it both ways and of saying one thing and then doing the opposite. Although he staunchly defended the work of local police - one would hope that he would - the member for Leschenault felt that Senator Johnston raised some incredibly important issues. Given that Senator Johnston attacked the Western Australia Police and the Commissioner of Police in particular, and given that he has made some extraordinary accusations without any substance about the police being corrupt, perhaps the member for Leschenault might like to expand on those areas in which he believes Senator Johnston has some validity, and perhaps he would like to do so outside this house.
Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Leschenault to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : A number of members opposite have publicly rejected Senator Johnston’s ridiculous accusations. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Leschenault to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I hope that those members within the Liberal Party organisation will seek to rein in this rogue senator, because he not bringing any credit to the Liberal Party or to members of Parliament. It is interesting to note the interjections of the member for Leschenault, who has a record of wanting it both ways and of saying one thing and then doing the opposite. Although he staunchly defended the work of local police - one would hope that he would - the member for Leschenault felt that Senator Johnston raised some incredibly important issues. Given that Senator Johnston attacked the Western Australia Police and the Commissioner of Police in particular, and given that he has made some extraordinary accusations without any substance about the police being corrupt, perhaps the member for Leschenault might like to expand on those areas in which he believes Senator Johnston has some validity, and perhaps he would like to do so outside this house.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the member for Leschenault to order for the second time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : A number of members opposite have publicly rejected Senator Johnston’s ridiculous accusations. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Leschenault to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I hope that those members within the Liberal Party organisation will seek to rein in this rogue senator, because he not bringing any credit to the Liberal Party or to members of Parliament. It is interesting to note the interjections of the member for Leschenault, who has a record of wanting it both ways and of saying one thing and then doing the opposite. Although he staunchly defended the work of local police - one would hope that he would - the member for Leschenault felt that Senator Johnston raised some incredibly important issues. Given that Senator Johnston attacked the Western Australia Police and the Commissioner of Police in particular, and given that he has made some extraordinary accusations without any substance about the police being corrupt, perhaps the member for Leschenault might like to expand on those areas in which he believes Senator Johnston has some validity, and perhaps he would like to do so outside this house.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : A number of members opposite have publicly rejected Senator Johnston’s ridiculous accusations. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Leschenault to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I hope that those members within the Liberal Party organisation will seek to rein in this rogue senator, because he not bringing any credit to the Liberal Party or to members of Parliament. It is interesting to note the interjections of the member for Leschenault, who has a record of wanting it both ways and of saying one thing and then doing the opposite. Although he staunchly defended the work of local police - one would hope that he would - the member for Leschenault felt that Senator Johnston raised some incredibly important issues. Given that Senator Johnston attacked the Western Australia Police and the Commissioner of Police in particular, and given that he has made some extraordinary accusations without any substance about the police being corrupt, perhaps the member for Leschenault might like to expand on those areas in which he believes Senator Johnston has some validity, and perhaps he would like to do so outside this house.
Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Leschenault to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I hope that those members within the Liberal Party organisation will seek to rein in this rogue senator, because he not bringing any credit to the Liberal Party or to members of Parliament. It is interesting to note the interjections of the member for Leschenault, who has a record of wanting it both ways and of saying one thing and then doing the opposite. Although he staunchly defended the work of local police - one would hope that he would - the member for Leschenault felt that Senator Johnston raised some incredibly important issues. Given that Senator Johnston attacked the Western Australia Police and the Commissioner of Police in particular, and given that he has made some extraordinary accusations without any substance about the police being corrupt, perhaps the member for Leschenault might like to expand on those areas in which he believes Senator Johnston has some validity, and perhaps he would like to do so outside this house.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Leschenault to order for the third time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I hope that those members within the Liberal Party organisation will seek to rein in this rogue senator, because he not bringing any credit to the Liberal Party or to members of Parliament. It is interesting to note the interjections of the member for Leschenault, who has a record of wanting it both ways and of saying one thing and then doing the opposite. Although he staunchly defended the work of local police - one would hope that he would - the member for Leschenault felt that Senator Johnston raised some incredibly important issues. Given that Senator Johnston attacked the Western Australia Police and the Commissioner of Police in particular, and given that he has made some extraordinary accusations without any substance about the police being corrupt, perhaps the member for Leschenault might like to expand on those areas in which he believes Senator Johnston has some validity, and perhaps he would like to do so outside this house.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : I hope that those members within the Liberal Party organisation will seek to rein in this rogue senator, because he not bringing any credit to the Liberal Party or to members of Parliament. It is interesting to note the interjections of the member for Leschenault, who has a record of wanting it both ways and of saying one thing and then doing the opposite. Although he staunchly defended the work of local police - one would hope that he would - the member for Leschenault felt that Senator Johnston raised some incredibly important issues. Given that Senator Johnston attacked the Western Australia Police and the Commissioner of Police in particular, and given that he has made some extraordinary accusations without any substance about the police being corrupt, perhaps the member for Leschenault might like to expand on those areas in which he believes Senator Johnston has some validity, and perhaps he would like to do so outside this house.
It is interesting to note the interjections of the member for Leschenault, who has a record of wanting it both ways and of saying one thing and then doing the opposite. Although he staunchly defended the work of local police - one would hope that he would - the member for Leschenault felt that Senator Johnston raised some incredibly important issues. Given that Senator Johnston attacked the Western Australia Police and the Commissioner of Police in particular, and given that he has made some extraordinary accusations without any substance about the police being corrupt, perhaps the member for Leschenault might like to expand on those areas in which he believes Senator Johnston has some validity, and perhaps he would like to do so outside this house.
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.