❓ The parliamentary question concerns the Premier's response to the Police Commissioner's comments on the Royal Commission into police corruption. The Premier defends the Royal Commission's findings and accuses the Liberal Party of complacency on the issue.
AnsweredQoN 46Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the Premier to the comments of the Commissioner of Police, Barry Matthews, in the Sunday Times of 7 March 2004 regarding the final report of the Royal Commission Into Whether There Has Been Any Corrupt or Criminal Conduct by Western Australian Police Officers. The article states - “I am conscious that the Government is concerned there may be potential for criticism,” he said. “I am conscious they want to persuade everyone that this is good value. I think some of the statements that have come out have been selectively negative and they have not put a balance into fairly representing what this report actually says about the WA Police Service.” (1) Does the Premier agree with the commissioner that the level of corrupt conduct within our Police Service has been grossly exaggerated by this Government to justify the $28 million cost of the police royal commission? (2) If not, how does the Premier explain why the royal commission did not find any sustained and significant corruption, a lack of practical recommendations in its final report and the fact that it has resulted in just two prosecutions? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) It is not surprising that the Liberal Party is speaking out against the royal commission’s findings. It did not want a royal commission when it was in government. The people of Western Australia deserved better but they did not get it from the Liberals. In 1996 a joint parliamentary committee comprising members from both sides of the House reported to the Parliament and made it absolutely clear that we needed a proper commission of inquiry into our Police Service in Western Australia. What did the then coalition Government do? It changed the laws relating to the then Official Corruption Commission and did not establish the newly formed Anti-Corruption Commission on a proper basis, which led to failure after failure in Western Australia. As a result of that issue, among other issues, the Liberal Party was turfed out of government. It did not have the capacity to take up the big challenges that face us all in politics. I am not surprised that members opposite have spoken against this royal commission because they have always been against it. That is indicative of the Opposition’s complacency and approach to politics. I do not take back one word that I used in the statement I read to this Parliament, or one word from all the press interviews I have given about the royal commission report. The royal commission was very clear: firstly, significant corruption was exposed and is continuing; secondly, the current systems, practices and culture of our Police Service are incapable of dealing with this continuing problem; and, thirdly, we need massive change to create an improvement in the way our Police Service works. My comments have always been balanced and based on what the royal commission said. If the Commissioner of Police - Several members interjected The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order the members for Darling Range and Warren-Blackwood for the second time. Dr G.I. GALLOP: If the Commissioner of Police does not agree with my interpretation of the royal commission’s report, that is his prerogative. However, I know that the position I have taken is based on the facts. Indeed, the commentary on the royal commission report, the public reaction to it and all the issues that have been raised by it confirm the position that I have taken on this matter. Some issues in our society need to be taken up with vigour. When Labor came to government there was an appalling situation in which child sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities was either ignored or swept under the carpet by the previous Liberal Government. This Government has taken up the challenge, and we are following through on the recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. On a radio program this morning, I heard magistrate Sue Gordon applauding the Government, because now the changes have started. We are making the changes that mean that every young person in this community will have a chance in life. Exactly the same complacency on the Liberal side relates to the issue of police corruption. Mr Falconer opposed the royal commission. He said that there were just a few rotten apples and nothing had to be changed. He was wrong and we were right. The current Commissioner of Police is saying that the royal commission report does not state the things that the Government is saying. I am afraid I beg to differ with the Commissioner of Police. This is a Government of reform, and it will make sure that our Police Service is on the right foundations. The people of Western Australia can judge. From the Liberals they get complacency, and problems are swept under the carpet. From this Government they get decisive action based upon comprehensive analysis. That is what it provides.
“I am conscious they want to persuade everyone that this is good value. I think some of the statements that have come out have been selectively negative and they have not put a balance into fairly representing what this report actually says about the WA Police Service.”
(2) If not, how does the Premier explain why the royal commission did not find any sustained and significant corruption, a lack of practical recommendations in its final report and the fact that it has resulted in just two prosecutions? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) It is not surprising that the Liberal Party is speaking out against the royal commission’s findings. It did not want a royal commission when it was in government. The people of Western Australia deserved better but they did not get it from the Liberals. In 1996 a joint parliamentary committee comprising members from both sides of the House reported to the Parliament and made it absolutely clear that we needed a proper commission of inquiry into our Police Service in Western Australia. What did the then coalition Government do? It changed the laws relating to the then Official Corruption Commission and did not establish the newly formed Anti-Corruption Commission on a proper basis, which led to failure after failure in Western Australia. As a result of that issue, among other issues, the Liberal Party was turfed out of government. It did not have the capacity to take up the big challenges that face us all in politics. I am not surprised that members opposite have spoken against this royal commission because they have always been against it. That is indicative of the Opposition’s complacency and approach to politics. I do not take back one word that I used in the statement I read to this Parliament, or one word from all the press interviews I have given about the royal commission report. The royal commission was very clear: firstly, significant corruption was exposed and is continuing; secondly, the current systems, practices and culture of our Police Service are incapable of dealing with this continuing problem; and, thirdly, we need massive change to create an improvement in the way our Police Service works. My comments have always been balanced and based on what the royal commission said. If the Commissioner of Police - Several members interjected The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order the members for Darling Range and Warren-Blackwood for the second time. Dr G.I. GALLOP: If the Commissioner of Police does not agree with my interpretation of the royal commission’s report, that is his prerogative. However, I know that the position I have taken is based on the facts. Indeed, the commentary on the royal commission report, the public reaction to it and all the issues that have been raised by it confirm the position that I have taken on this matter. Some issues in our society need to be taken up with vigour. When Labor came to government there was an appalling situation in which child sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities was either ignored or swept under the carpet by the previous Liberal Government. This Government has taken up the challenge, and we are following through on the recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. On a radio program this morning, I heard magistrate Sue Gordon applauding the Government, because now the changes have started. We are making the changes that mean that every young person in this community will have a chance in life. Exactly the same complacency on the Liberal side relates to the issue of police corruption. Mr Falconer opposed the royal commission. He said that there were just a few rotten apples and nothing had to be changed. He was wrong and we were right. The current Commissioner of Police is saying that the royal commission report does not state the things that the Government is saying. I am afraid I beg to differ with the Commissioner of Police. This is a Government of reform, and it will make sure that our Police Service is on the right foundations. The people of Western Australia can judge. From the Liberals they get complacency, and problems are swept under the carpet. From this Government they get decisive action based upon comprehensive analysis. That is what it provides.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) It is not surprising that the Liberal Party is speaking out against the royal commission’s findings. It did not want a royal commission when it was in government. The people of Western Australia deserved better but they did not get it from the Liberals. In 1996 a joint parliamentary committee comprising members from both sides of the House reported to the Parliament and made it absolutely clear that we needed a proper commission of inquiry into our Police Service in Western Australia. What did the then coalition Government do? It changed the laws relating to the then Official Corruption Commission and did not establish the newly formed Anti-Corruption Commission on a proper basis, which led to failure after failure in Western Australia. As a result of that issue, among other issues, the Liberal Party was turfed out of government. It did not have the capacity to take up the big challenges that face us all in politics. I am not surprised that members opposite have spoken against this royal commission because they have always been against it. That is indicative of the Opposition’s complacency and approach to politics. I do not take back one word that I used in the statement I read to this Parliament, or one word from all the press interviews I have given about the royal commission report. The royal commission was very clear: firstly, significant corruption was exposed and is continuing; secondly, the current systems, practices and culture of our Police Service are incapable of dealing with this continuing problem; and, thirdly, we need massive change to create an improvement in the way our Police Service works. My comments have always been balanced and based on what the royal commission said. If the Commissioner of Police - Several members interjected The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order the members for Darling Range and Warren-Blackwood for the second time. Dr G.I. GALLOP: If the Commissioner of Police does not agree with my interpretation of the royal commission’s report, that is his prerogative. However, I know that the position I have taken is based on the facts. Indeed, the commentary on the royal commission report, the public reaction to it and all the issues that have been raised by it confirm the position that I have taken on this matter. Some issues in our society need to be taken up with vigour. When Labor came to government there was an appalling situation in which child sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities was either ignored or swept under the carpet by the previous Liberal Government. This Government has taken up the challenge, and we are following through on the recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. On a radio program this morning, I heard magistrate Sue Gordon applauding the Government, because now the changes have started. We are making the changes that mean that every young person in this community will have a chance in life. Exactly the same complacency on the Liberal side relates to the issue of police corruption. Mr Falconer opposed the royal commission. He said that there were just a few rotten apples and nothing had to be changed. He was wrong and we were right. The current Commissioner of Police is saying that the royal commission report does not state the things that the Government is saying. I am afraid I beg to differ with the Commissioner of Police. This is a Government of reform, and it will make sure that our Police Service is on the right foundations. The people of Western Australia can judge. From the Liberals they get complacency, and problems are swept under the carpet. From this Government they get decisive action based upon comprehensive analysis. That is what it provides.
(1)-(2) It is not surprising that the Liberal Party is speaking out against the royal commission’s findings. It did not want a royal commission when it was in government. The people of Western Australia deserved better but they did not get it from the Liberals. In 1996 a joint parliamentary committee comprising members from both sides of the House reported to the Parliament and made it absolutely clear that we needed a proper commission of inquiry into our Police Service in Western Australia. What did the then coalition Government do? It changed the laws relating to the then Official Corruption Commission and did not establish the newly formed Anti-Corruption Commission on a proper basis, which led to failure after failure in Western Australia. As a result of that issue, among other issues, the Liberal Party was turfed out of government. It did not have the capacity to take up the big challenges that face us all in politics. I am not surprised that members opposite have spoken against this royal commission because they have always been against it. That is indicative of the Opposition’s complacency and approach to politics. I do not take back one word that I used in the statement I read to this Parliament, or one word from all the press interviews I have given about the royal commission report. The royal commission was very clear: firstly, significant corruption was exposed and is continuing; secondly, the current systems, practices and culture of our Police Service are incapable of dealing with this continuing problem; and, thirdly, we need massive change to create an improvement in the way our Police Service works. My comments have always been balanced and based on what the royal commission said. If the Commissioner of Police - Several members interjected The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order the members for Darling Range and Warren-Blackwood for the second time. Dr G.I. GALLOP: If the Commissioner of Police does not agree with my interpretation of the royal commission’s report, that is his prerogative. However, I know that the position I have taken is based on the facts. Indeed, the commentary on the royal commission report, the public reaction to it and all the issues that have been raised by it confirm the position that I have taken on this matter. Some issues in our society need to be taken up with vigour. When Labor came to government there was an appalling situation in which child sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities was either ignored or swept under the carpet by the previous Liberal Government. This Government has taken up the challenge, and we are following through on the recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. On a radio program this morning, I heard magistrate Sue Gordon applauding the Government, because now the changes have started. We are making the changes that mean that every young person in this community will have a chance in life. Exactly the same complacency on the Liberal side relates to the issue of police corruption. Mr Falconer opposed the royal commission. He said that there were just a few rotten apples and nothing had to be changed. He was wrong and we were right. The current Commissioner of Police is saying that the royal commission report does not state the things that the Government is saying. I am afraid I beg to differ with the Commissioner of Police. This is a Government of reform, and it will make sure that our Police Service is on the right foundations. The people of Western Australia can judge. From the Liberals they get complacency, and problems are swept under the carpet. From this Government they get decisive action based upon comprehensive analysis. That is what it provides.
I do not take back one word that I used in the statement I read to this Parliament, or one word from all the press interviews I have given about the royal commission report. The royal commission was very clear: firstly, significant corruption was exposed and is continuing; secondly, the current systems, practices and culture of our Police Service are incapable of dealing with this continuing problem; and, thirdly, we need massive change to create an improvement in the way our Police Service works. My comments have always been balanced and based on what the royal commission said. If the Commissioner of Police -
The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order the members for Darling Range and Warren-Blackwood for the second time. Dr G.I. GALLOP: If the Commissioner of Police does not agree with my interpretation of the royal commission’s report, that is his prerogative. However, I know that the position I have taken is based on the facts. Indeed, the commentary on the royal commission report, the public reaction to it and all the issues that have been raised by it confirm the position that I have taken on this matter. Some issues in our society need to be taken up with vigour. When Labor came to government there was an appalling situation in which child sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities was either ignored or swept under the carpet by the previous Liberal Government. This Government has taken up the challenge, and we are following through on the recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. On a radio program this morning, I heard magistrate Sue Gordon applauding the Government, because now the changes have started. We are making the changes that mean that every young person in this community will have a chance in life. Exactly the same complacency on the Liberal side relates to the issue of police corruption. Mr Falconer opposed the royal commission. He said that there were just a few rotten apples and nothing had to be changed. He was wrong and we were right. The current Commissioner of Police is saying that the royal commission report does not state the things that the Government is saying. I am afraid I beg to differ with the Commissioner of Police. This is a Government of reform, and it will make sure that our Police Service is on the right foundations. The people of Western Australia can judge. From the Liberals they get complacency, and problems are swept under the carpet. From this Government they get decisive action based upon comprehensive analysis. That is what it provides.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: If the Commissioner of Police does not agree with my interpretation of the royal commission’s report, that is his prerogative. However, I know that the position I have taken is based on the facts. Indeed, the commentary on the royal commission report, the public reaction to it and all the issues that have been raised by it confirm the position that I have taken on this matter. Some issues in our society need to be taken up with vigour. When Labor came to government there was an appalling situation in which child sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities was either ignored or swept under the carpet by the previous Liberal Government. This Government has taken up the challenge, and we are following through on the recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. On a radio program this morning, I heard magistrate Sue Gordon applauding the Government, because now the changes have started. We are making the changes that mean that every young person in this community will have a chance in life. Exactly the same complacency on the Liberal side relates to the issue of police corruption. Mr Falconer opposed the royal commission. He said that there were just a few rotten apples and nothing had to be changed. He was wrong and we were right. The current Commissioner of Police is saying that the royal commission report does not state the things that the Government is saying. I am afraid I beg to differ with the Commissioner of Police. This is a Government of reform, and it will make sure that our Police Service is on the right foundations. The people of Western Australia can judge. From the Liberals they get complacency, and problems are swept under the carpet. From this Government they get decisive action based upon comprehensive analysis. That is what it provides.
Some issues in our society need to be taken up with vigour. When Labor came to government there was an appalling situation in which child sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities was either ignored or swept under the carpet by the previous Liberal Government. This Government has taken up the challenge, and we are following through on the recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. On a radio program this morning, I heard magistrate Sue Gordon applauding the Government, because now the changes have started. We are making the changes that mean that every young person in this community will have a chance in life. Exactly the same complacency on the Liberal side relates to the issue of police corruption. Mr Falconer opposed the royal commission. He said that there were just a few rotten apples and nothing had to be changed. He was wrong and we were right. The current Commissioner of Police is saying that the royal commission report does not state the things that the Government is saying. I am afraid I beg to differ with the Commissioner of Police. This is a Government of reform, and it will make sure that our Police Service is on the right foundations. The people of Western Australia can judge. From the Liberals they get complacency, and problems are swept under the carpet. From this Government they get decisive action based upon comprehensive analysis. That is what it provides.
Exactly the same complacency on the Liberal side relates to the issue of police corruption. Mr Falconer opposed the royal commission. He said that there were just a few rotten apples and nothing had to be changed. He was wrong and we were right. The current Commissioner of Police is saying that the royal commission report does not state the things that the Government is saying. I am afraid I beg to differ with the Commissioner of Police. This is a Government of reform, and it will make sure that our Police Service is on the right foundations. The people of Western Australia can judge. From the Liberals they get complacency, and problems are swept under the carpet. From this Government they get decisive action based upon comprehensive analysis. That is what it provides.
“I am conscious they want to persuade everyone that this is good value. I think some of the statements that have come out have been selectively negative and they have not put a balance into fairly representing what this report actually says about the WA Police Service.”
(2) If not, how does the Premier explain why the royal commission did not find any sustained and significant corruption, a lack of practical recommendations in its final report and the fact that it has resulted in just two prosecutions? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) It is not surprising that the Liberal Party is speaking out against the royal commission’s findings. It did not want a royal commission when it was in government. The people of Western Australia deserved better but they did not get it from the Liberals. In 1996 a joint parliamentary committee comprising members from both sides of the House reported to the Parliament and made it absolutely clear that we needed a proper commission of inquiry into our Police Service in Western Australia. What did the then coalition Government do? It changed the laws relating to the then Official Corruption Commission and did not establish the newly formed Anti-Corruption Commission on a proper basis, which led to failure after failure in Western Australia. As a result of that issue, among other issues, the Liberal Party was turfed out of government. It did not have the capacity to take up the big challenges that face us all in politics. I am not surprised that members opposite have spoken against this royal commission because they have always been against it. That is indicative of the Opposition’s complacency and approach to politics. I do not take back one word that I used in the statement I read to this Parliament, or one word from all the press interviews I have given about the royal commission report. The royal commission was very clear: firstly, significant corruption was exposed and is continuing; secondly, the current systems, practices and culture of our Police Service are incapable of dealing with this continuing problem; and, thirdly, we need massive change to create an improvement in the way our Police Service works. My comments have always been balanced and based on what the royal commission said. If the Commissioner of Police - Several members interjected The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order the members for Darling Range and Warren-Blackwood for the second time. Dr G.I. GALLOP: If the Commissioner of Police does not agree with my interpretation of the royal commission’s report, that is his prerogative. However, I know that the position I have taken is based on the facts. Indeed, the commentary on the royal commission report, the public reaction to it and all the issues that have been raised by it confirm the position that I have taken on this matter. Some issues in our society need to be taken up with vigour. When Labor came to government there was an appalling situation in which child sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities was either ignored or swept under the carpet by the previous Liberal Government. This Government has taken up the challenge, and we are following through on the recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. On a radio program this morning, I heard magistrate Sue Gordon applauding the Government, because now the changes have started. We are making the changes that mean that every young person in this community will have a chance in life. Exactly the same complacency on the Liberal side relates to the issue of police corruption. Mr Falconer opposed the royal commission. He said that there were just a few rotten apples and nothing had to be changed. He was wrong and we were right. The current Commissioner of Police is saying that the royal commission report does not state the things that the Government is saying. I am afraid I beg to differ with the Commissioner of Police. This is a Government of reform, and it will make sure that our Police Service is on the right foundations. The people of Western Australia can judge. From the Liberals they get complacency, and problems are swept under the carpet. From this Government they get decisive action based upon comprehensive analysis. That is what it provides.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) It is not surprising that the Liberal Party is speaking out against the royal commission’s findings. It did not want a royal commission when it was in government. The people of Western Australia deserved better but they did not get it from the Liberals. In 1996 a joint parliamentary committee comprising members from both sides of the House reported to the Parliament and made it absolutely clear that we needed a proper commission of inquiry into our Police Service in Western Australia. What did the then coalition Government do? It changed the laws relating to the then Official Corruption Commission and did not establish the newly formed Anti-Corruption Commission on a proper basis, which led to failure after failure in Western Australia. As a result of that issue, among other issues, the Liberal Party was turfed out of government. It did not have the capacity to take up the big challenges that face us all in politics. I am not surprised that members opposite have spoken against this royal commission because they have always been against it. That is indicative of the Opposition’s complacency and approach to politics. I do not take back one word that I used in the statement I read to this Parliament, or one word from all the press interviews I have given about the royal commission report. The royal commission was very clear: firstly, significant corruption was exposed and is continuing; secondly, the current systems, practices and culture of our Police Service are incapable of dealing with this continuing problem; and, thirdly, we need massive change to create an improvement in the way our Police Service works. My comments have always been balanced and based on what the royal commission said. If the Commissioner of Police - Several members interjected The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order the members for Darling Range and Warren-Blackwood for the second time. Dr G.I. GALLOP: If the Commissioner of Police does not agree with my interpretation of the royal commission’s report, that is his prerogative. However, I know that the position I have taken is based on the facts. Indeed, the commentary on the royal commission report, the public reaction to it and all the issues that have been raised by it confirm the position that I have taken on this matter. Some issues in our society need to be taken up with vigour. When Labor came to government there was an appalling situation in which child sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities was either ignored or swept under the carpet by the previous Liberal Government. This Government has taken up the challenge, and we are following through on the recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. On a radio program this morning, I heard magistrate Sue Gordon applauding the Government, because now the changes have started. We are making the changes that mean that every young person in this community will have a chance in life. Exactly the same complacency on the Liberal side relates to the issue of police corruption. Mr Falconer opposed the royal commission. He said that there were just a few rotten apples and nothing had to be changed. He was wrong and we were right. The current Commissioner of Police is saying that the royal commission report does not state the things that the Government is saying. I am afraid I beg to differ with the Commissioner of Police. This is a Government of reform, and it will make sure that our Police Service is on the right foundations. The people of Western Australia can judge. From the Liberals they get complacency, and problems are swept under the carpet. From this Government they get decisive action based upon comprehensive analysis. That is what it provides.
(1)-(2) It is not surprising that the Liberal Party is speaking out against the royal commission’s findings. It did not want a royal commission when it was in government. The people of Western Australia deserved better but they did not get it from the Liberals. In 1996 a joint parliamentary committee comprising members from both sides of the House reported to the Parliament and made it absolutely clear that we needed a proper commission of inquiry into our Police Service in Western Australia. What did the then coalition Government do? It changed the laws relating to the then Official Corruption Commission and did not establish the newly formed Anti-Corruption Commission on a proper basis, which led to failure after failure in Western Australia. As a result of that issue, among other issues, the Liberal Party was turfed out of government. It did not have the capacity to take up the big challenges that face us all in politics. I am not surprised that members opposite have spoken against this royal commission because they have always been against it. That is indicative of the Opposition’s complacency and approach to politics. I do not take back one word that I used in the statement I read to this Parliament, or one word from all the press interviews I have given about the royal commission report. The royal commission was very clear: firstly, significant corruption was exposed and is continuing; secondly, the current systems, practices and culture of our Police Service are incapable of dealing with this continuing problem; and, thirdly, we need massive change to create an improvement in the way our Police Service works. My comments have always been balanced and based on what the royal commission said. If the Commissioner of Police - Several members interjected The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order the members for Darling Range and Warren-Blackwood for the second time. Dr G.I. GALLOP: If the Commissioner of Police does not agree with my interpretation of the royal commission’s report, that is his prerogative. However, I know that the position I have taken is based on the facts. Indeed, the commentary on the royal commission report, the public reaction to it and all the issues that have been raised by it confirm the position that I have taken on this matter. Some issues in our society need to be taken up with vigour. When Labor came to government there was an appalling situation in which child sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities was either ignored or swept under the carpet by the previous Liberal Government. This Government has taken up the challenge, and we are following through on the recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. On a radio program this morning, I heard magistrate Sue Gordon applauding the Government, because now the changes have started. We are making the changes that mean that every young person in this community will have a chance in life. Exactly the same complacency on the Liberal side relates to the issue of police corruption. Mr Falconer opposed the royal commission. He said that there were just a few rotten apples and nothing had to be changed. He was wrong and we were right. The current Commissioner of Police is saying that the royal commission report does not state the things that the Government is saying. I am afraid I beg to differ with the Commissioner of Police. This is a Government of reform, and it will make sure that our Police Service is on the right foundations. The people of Western Australia can judge. From the Liberals they get complacency, and problems are swept under the carpet. From this Government they get decisive action based upon comprehensive analysis. That is what it provides.
I do not take back one word that I used in the statement I read to this Parliament, or one word from all the press interviews I have given about the royal commission report. The royal commission was very clear: firstly, significant corruption was exposed and is continuing; secondly, the current systems, practices and culture of our Police Service are incapable of dealing with this continuing problem; and, thirdly, we need massive change to create an improvement in the way our Police Service works. My comments have always been balanced and based on what the royal commission said. If the Commissioner of Police -
The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order the members for Darling Range and Warren-Blackwood for the second time. Dr G.I. GALLOP: If the Commissioner of Police does not agree with my interpretation of the royal commission’s report, that is his prerogative. However, I know that the position I have taken is based on the facts. Indeed, the commentary on the royal commission report, the public reaction to it and all the issues that have been raised by it confirm the position that I have taken on this matter. Some issues in our society need to be taken up with vigour. When Labor came to government there was an appalling situation in which child sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities was either ignored or swept under the carpet by the previous Liberal Government. This Government has taken up the challenge, and we are following through on the recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. On a radio program this morning, I heard magistrate Sue Gordon applauding the Government, because now the changes have started. We are making the changes that mean that every young person in this community will have a chance in life. Exactly the same complacency on the Liberal side relates to the issue of police corruption. Mr Falconer opposed the royal commission. He said that there were just a few rotten apples and nothing had to be changed. He was wrong and we were right. The current Commissioner of Police is saying that the royal commission report does not state the things that the Government is saying. I am afraid I beg to differ with the Commissioner of Police. This is a Government of reform, and it will make sure that our Police Service is on the right foundations. The people of Western Australia can judge. From the Liberals they get complacency, and problems are swept under the carpet. From this Government they get decisive action based upon comprehensive analysis. That is what it provides.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: If the Commissioner of Police does not agree with my interpretation of the royal commission’s report, that is his prerogative. However, I know that the position I have taken is based on the facts. Indeed, the commentary on the royal commission report, the public reaction to it and all the issues that have been raised by it confirm the position that I have taken on this matter. Some issues in our society need to be taken up with vigour. When Labor came to government there was an appalling situation in which child sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities was either ignored or swept under the carpet by the previous Liberal Government. This Government has taken up the challenge, and we are following through on the recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. On a radio program this morning, I heard magistrate Sue Gordon applauding the Government, because now the changes have started. We are making the changes that mean that every young person in this community will have a chance in life. Exactly the same complacency on the Liberal side relates to the issue of police corruption. Mr Falconer opposed the royal commission. He said that there were just a few rotten apples and nothing had to be changed. He was wrong and we were right. The current Commissioner of Police is saying that the royal commission report does not state the things that the Government is saying. I am afraid I beg to differ with the Commissioner of Police. This is a Government of reform, and it will make sure that our Police Service is on the right foundations. The people of Western Australia can judge. From the Liberals they get complacency, and problems are swept under the carpet. From this Government they get decisive action based upon comprehensive analysis. That is what it provides.
Some issues in our society need to be taken up with vigour. When Labor came to government there was an appalling situation in which child sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities was either ignored or swept under the carpet by the previous Liberal Government. This Government has taken up the challenge, and we are following through on the recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. On a radio program this morning, I heard magistrate Sue Gordon applauding the Government, because now the changes have started. We are making the changes that mean that every young person in this community will have a chance in life. Exactly the same complacency on the Liberal side relates to the issue of police corruption. Mr Falconer opposed the royal commission. He said that there were just a few rotten apples and nothing had to be changed. He was wrong and we were right. The current Commissioner of Police is saying that the royal commission report does not state the things that the Government is saying. I am afraid I beg to differ with the Commissioner of Police. This is a Government of reform, and it will make sure that our Police Service is on the right foundations. The people of Western Australia can judge. From the Liberals they get complacency, and problems are swept under the carpet. From this Government they get decisive action based upon comprehensive analysis. That is what it provides.
Exactly the same complacency on the Liberal side relates to the issue of police corruption. Mr Falconer opposed the royal commission. He said that there were just a few rotten apples and nothing had to be changed. He was wrong and we were right. The current Commissioner of Police is saying that the royal commission report does not state the things that the Government is saying. I am afraid I beg to differ with the Commissioner of Police. This is a Government of reform, and it will make sure that our Police Service is on the right foundations. The people of Western Australia can judge. From the Liberals they get complacency, and problems are swept under the carpet. From this Government they get decisive action based upon comprehensive analysis. That is what it provides.
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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.