❓ Mr. Watson questions the Premier regarding ex gratia payments for St. Andrew's Hostel victims, specifically concerning deductions related to criminal damages and requests a meeting. The Premier defends the Redress WA scheme and his government's actions.
AnsweredQoN 598Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ST ANDREW'S HOSTEL, KATANNING — EX
GRATIA PAYMENTS
598. Mr P.B. WATSON to the
Premier:
I have a supplementary question. The Premier said it is not a
doubling of the Redress WA scheme, but I am talking about criminal damages;
nothing was mentioned there. One of my constituents has had $15 000 taken off.
I am asking for the Premier to sit down with these people. Last time, he never
turned up to the meeting. Just turn up and hear what they have to say.
GRATIA PAYMENTS
598. Mr P.B. WATSON to the
Premier:
I have a supplementary question. The Premier said it is not a
doubling of the Redress WA scheme, but I am talking about criminal damages;
nothing was mentioned there. One of my constituents has had $15 000 taken off.
I am asking for the Premier to sit down with these people. Last time, he never
turned up to the meeting. Just turn up and hear what they have to say.
AnswerView source ↗
If I can again —
Mr P.B. Watson interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Albany!
Mr P.B. Watson interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the
third time today. I do not want to bring the sword of Damocles down on you.
Premier, do you have anything to add?
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
will read out again what was in the application. This is a direct quote —
In making an assessment, the
assessor is to also take account of any awards of compensation damages or ex
gratia payment
That was the scheme that was offered.
Dr A.D. Buti interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Armadale, I formally call you to order for the third time today.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
understand that 103 people have applied. I do not know whether payments have
been made. Perhaps the minister handling the matter could be asked a question.
If we were to change the system, we would change the set of rules and criteria
for everyone under the Redress WA scheme at the same time. I cannot undo the
past. I cannot deal with what happened a generation ago. This government —
Mr P.B. Watson :
You do not care.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
To suggest that I do not care reflects on the individual opposite. It was this
government and me as Premier
that instituted both the Blaxell inquiry and the additional ex gratia payments.
The members opposite may not be satisfied with that, but we acted when they had
not.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Albany!
Mr P.B. Watson interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the
third time today. I do not want to bring the sword of Damocles down on you.
Premier, do you have anything to add?
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
will read out again what was in the application. This is a direct quote —
In making an assessment, the
assessor is to also take account of any awards of compensation damages or ex
gratia payment
That was the scheme that was offered.
Dr A.D. Buti interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Armadale, I formally call you to order for the third time today.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
understand that 103 people have applied. I do not know whether payments have
been made. Perhaps the minister handling the matter could be asked a question.
If we were to change the system, we would change the set of rules and criteria
for everyone under the Redress WA scheme at the same time. I cannot undo the
past. I cannot deal with what happened a generation ago. This government —
Mr P.B. Watson :
You do not care.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
To suggest that I do not care reflects on the individual opposite. It was this
government and me as Premier
that instituted both the Blaxell inquiry and the additional ex gratia payments.
The members opposite may not be satisfied with that, but we acted when they had
not.
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