❓ Question on Notice regarding the Premier's knowledge and actions related to the Member for Ballajura driving without a license. The Premier's response deflects and defends, highlighting the member's resignation and mistakes made by others.
AnsweredQoN 215Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MEMBER FOR BALLAJURA - PREMIER’S ACTIONS
It has been reported that the Premier found out that the member for Ballajura had been driving without a licence, due to non-payment of speeding fines, on Thursday, 4 May. (1) Will the Premier concede that he knew that the member for Ballajura had been driving with a suspended licence on Thursday, 4 May? (2) Why did the Premier allow the then minister to make an announcement on increasing speeding fines the next day, given the Premier’s knowledge of the then minister’s actions? (3) Why did it take the Premier until 3.30 pm yesterday, four days later, to act on this information? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
It has been reported that the Premier found out that the member for Ballajura had been driving without a licence, due to non-payment of speeding fines, on Thursday, 4 May. (1) Will the Premier concede that he knew that the member for Ballajura had been driving with a suspended licence on Thursday, 4 May? (2) Why did the Premier allow the then minister to make an announcement on increasing speeding fines the next day, given the Premier’s knowledge of the then minister’s actions? (3) Why did it take the Premier until 3.30 pm yesterday, four days later, to act on this information? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I thank the member for Hillarys for the question. To start with, the member for Ballajura has resigned. He has taken responsibility for his actions and has resigned. It is a very difficult situation. It was a difficult decision for him to make. The member for Ballajura is no longer a minister. I believe that his decision today was the right decision. I congratulate him on making that decision. I said yesterday that we are all human: we make mistakes. The member for Ballajura is not the first person in this chamber to make a mistake. The Leader of the Opposition has made a serious mistake. Mr C.J. Barnett : That is not the point: Your minister was driving without a licence on our roads. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I inform the Leader of the Opposition that we are human beings and we make mistakes. He made a mistake. I accepted the Leader of the Opposition’s explanation for his mistake and I do not believe his mistake should preclude him from sitting where he is sitting. I think he made an honest mistake. I believe the member Ballajura made an honest mistake. I remember it was just last year, or maybe the year before, that the Leader of the Opposition in the other house, Hon Norman Moore, was convicted of driving with a blood alcohol level of .05. He made a mistake. However, he continues to hold the same position that he held when he made that mistake. The Leader of the Opposition in the upper house made a mistake; we all make mistakes. The member for Ballajura decided to resign. In 1996 or 1997 - maybe it was earlier than that - the then Minister for Transport Hon Eric Charlton made a couple of mistakes, one of which was pretty serious. Both of his mistakes resulted in speeding fines. One of those mistakes involved driving at 160 kilometres an hour. At the time I thought that that was a pretty big mistake; however, I remember that Hon Eric Charlton, a man of great determination, basically used those mistakes to argue for increased speed limits on country roads. Mr C.J. Barnett : So that excuses your former minister, does it? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
(1) Will the Premier concede that he knew that the member for Ballajura had been driving with a suspended licence on Thursday, 4 May? (2) Why did the Premier allow the then minister to make an announcement on increasing speeding fines the next day, given the Premier’s knowledge of the then minister’s actions? (3) Why did it take the Premier until 3.30 pm yesterday, four days later, to act on this information? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Hillarys for the question. To start with, the member for Ballajura has resigned. He has taken responsibility for his actions and has resigned. It is a very difficult situation. It was a difficult decision for him to make. The member for Ballajura is no longer a minister. I believe that his decision today was the right decision. I congratulate him on making that decision. I said yesterday that we are all human: we make mistakes. The member for Ballajura is not the first person in this chamber to make a mistake. The Leader of the Opposition has made a serious mistake. Mr C.J. Barnett : That is not the point: Your minister was driving without a licence on our roads. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I inform the Leader of the Opposition that we are human beings and we make mistakes. He made a mistake. I accepted the Leader of the Opposition’s explanation for his mistake and I do not believe his mistake should preclude him from sitting where he is sitting. I think he made an honest mistake. I believe the member Ballajura made an honest mistake. I remember it was just last year, or maybe the year before, that the Leader of the Opposition in the other house, Hon Norman Moore, was convicted of driving with a blood alcohol level of .05. He made a mistake. However, he continues to hold the same position that he held when he made that mistake. The Leader of the Opposition in the upper house made a mistake; we all make mistakes. The member for Ballajura decided to resign. In 1996 or 1997 - maybe it was earlier than that - the then Minister for Transport Hon Eric Charlton made a couple of mistakes, one of which was pretty serious. Both of his mistakes resulted in speeding fines. One of those mistakes involved driving at 160 kilometres an hour. At the time I thought that that was a pretty big mistake; however, I remember that Hon Eric Charlton, a man of great determination, basically used those mistakes to argue for increased speed limits on country roads. Mr C.J. Barnett : So that excuses your former minister, does it? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
(2) Why did the Premier allow the then minister to make an announcement on increasing speeding fines the next day, given the Premier’s knowledge of the then minister’s actions? (3) Why did it take the Premier until 3.30 pm yesterday, four days later, to act on this information? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Hillarys for the question. To start with, the member for Ballajura has resigned. He has taken responsibility for his actions and has resigned. It is a very difficult situation. It was a difficult decision for him to make. The member for Ballajura is no longer a minister. I believe that his decision today was the right decision. I congratulate him on making that decision. I said yesterday that we are all human: we make mistakes. The member for Ballajura is not the first person in this chamber to make a mistake. The Leader of the Opposition has made a serious mistake. Mr C.J. Barnett : That is not the point: Your minister was driving without a licence on our roads. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I inform the Leader of the Opposition that we are human beings and we make mistakes. He made a mistake. I accepted the Leader of the Opposition’s explanation for his mistake and I do not believe his mistake should preclude him from sitting where he is sitting. I think he made an honest mistake. I believe the member Ballajura made an honest mistake. I remember it was just last year, or maybe the year before, that the Leader of the Opposition in the other house, Hon Norman Moore, was convicted of driving with a blood alcohol level of .05. He made a mistake. However, he continues to hold the same position that he held when he made that mistake. The Leader of the Opposition in the upper house made a mistake; we all make mistakes. The member for Ballajura decided to resign. In 1996 or 1997 - maybe it was earlier than that - the then Minister for Transport Hon Eric Charlton made a couple of mistakes, one of which was pretty serious. Both of his mistakes resulted in speeding fines. One of those mistakes involved driving at 160 kilometres an hour. At the time I thought that that was a pretty big mistake; however, I remember that Hon Eric Charlton, a man of great determination, basically used those mistakes to argue for increased speed limits on country roads. Mr C.J. Barnett : So that excuses your former minister, does it? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
(3) Why did it take the Premier until 3.30 pm yesterday, four days later, to act on this information? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Hillarys for the question. To start with, the member for Ballajura has resigned. He has taken responsibility for his actions and has resigned. It is a very difficult situation. It was a difficult decision for him to make. The member for Ballajura is no longer a minister. I believe that his decision today was the right decision. I congratulate him on making that decision. I said yesterday that we are all human: we make mistakes. The member for Ballajura is not the first person in this chamber to make a mistake. The Leader of the Opposition has made a serious mistake. Mr C.J. Barnett : That is not the point: Your minister was driving without a licence on our roads. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I inform the Leader of the Opposition that we are human beings and we make mistakes. He made a mistake. I accepted the Leader of the Opposition’s explanation for his mistake and I do not believe his mistake should preclude him from sitting where he is sitting. I think he made an honest mistake. I believe the member Ballajura made an honest mistake. I remember it was just last year, or maybe the year before, that the Leader of the Opposition in the other house, Hon Norman Moore, was convicted of driving with a blood alcohol level of .05. He made a mistake. However, he continues to hold the same position that he held when he made that mistake. The Leader of the Opposition in the upper house made a mistake; we all make mistakes. The member for Ballajura decided to resign. In 1996 or 1997 - maybe it was earlier than that - the then Minister for Transport Hon Eric Charlton made a couple of mistakes, one of which was pretty serious. Both of his mistakes resulted in speeding fines. One of those mistakes involved driving at 160 kilometres an hour. At the time I thought that that was a pretty big mistake; however, I remember that Hon Eric Charlton, a man of great determination, basically used those mistakes to argue for increased speed limits on country roads. Mr C.J. Barnett : So that excuses your former minister, does it? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Hillarys for the question. To start with, the member for Ballajura has resigned. He has taken responsibility for his actions and has resigned. It is a very difficult situation. It was a difficult decision for him to make. The member for Ballajura is no longer a minister. I believe that his decision today was the right decision. I congratulate him on making that decision. I said yesterday that we are all human: we make mistakes. The member for Ballajura is not the first person in this chamber to make a mistake. The Leader of the Opposition has made a serious mistake. Mr C.J. Barnett : That is not the point: Your minister was driving without a licence on our roads. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I inform the Leader of the Opposition that we are human beings and we make mistakes. He made a mistake. I accepted the Leader of the Opposition’s explanation for his mistake and I do not believe his mistake should preclude him from sitting where he is sitting. I think he made an honest mistake. I believe the member Ballajura made an honest mistake. I remember it was just last year, or maybe the year before, that the Leader of the Opposition in the other house, Hon Norman Moore, was convicted of driving with a blood alcohol level of .05. He made a mistake. However, he continues to hold the same position that he held when he made that mistake. The Leader of the Opposition in the upper house made a mistake; we all make mistakes. The member for Ballajura decided to resign. In 1996 or 1997 - maybe it was earlier than that - the then Minister for Transport Hon Eric Charlton made a couple of mistakes, one of which was pretty serious. Both of his mistakes resulted in speeding fines. One of those mistakes involved driving at 160 kilometres an hour. At the time I thought that that was a pretty big mistake; however, I remember that Hon Eric Charlton, a man of great determination, basically used those mistakes to argue for increased speed limits on country roads. Mr C.J. Barnett : So that excuses your former minister, does it? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
(1)-(3) I thank the member for Hillarys for the question. To start with, the member for Ballajura has resigned. He has taken responsibility for his actions and has resigned. It is a very difficult situation. It was a difficult decision for him to make. The member for Ballajura is no longer a minister. I believe that his decision today was the right decision. I congratulate him on making that decision. I said yesterday that we are all human: we make mistakes. The member for Ballajura is not the first person in this chamber to make a mistake. The Leader of the Opposition has made a serious mistake. Mr C.J. Barnett : That is not the point: Your minister was driving without a licence on our roads. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I inform the Leader of the Opposition that we are human beings and we make mistakes. He made a mistake. I accepted the Leader of the Opposition’s explanation for his mistake and I do not believe his mistake should preclude him from sitting where he is sitting. I think he made an honest mistake. I believe the member Ballajura made an honest mistake. I remember it was just last year, or maybe the year before, that the Leader of the Opposition in the other house, Hon Norman Moore, was convicted of driving with a blood alcohol level of .05. He made a mistake. However, he continues to hold the same position that he held when he made that mistake. The Leader of the Opposition in the upper house made a mistake; we all make mistakes. The member for Ballajura decided to resign. In 1996 or 1997 - maybe it was earlier than that - the then Minister for Transport Hon Eric Charlton made a couple of mistakes, one of which was pretty serious. Both of his mistakes resulted in speeding fines. One of those mistakes involved driving at 160 kilometres an hour. At the time I thought that that was a pretty big mistake; however, I remember that Hon Eric Charlton, a man of great determination, basically used those mistakes to argue for increased speed limits on country roads. Mr C.J. Barnett : So that excuses your former minister, does it? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr C.J. Barnett : That is not the point: Your minister was driving without a licence on our roads. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I inform the Leader of the Opposition that we are human beings and we make mistakes. He made a mistake. I accepted the Leader of the Opposition’s explanation for his mistake and I do not believe his mistake should preclude him from sitting where he is sitting. I think he made an honest mistake. I believe the member Ballajura made an honest mistake. I remember it was just last year, or maybe the year before, that the Leader of the Opposition in the other house, Hon Norman Moore, was convicted of driving with a blood alcohol level of .05. He made a mistake. However, he continues to hold the same position that he held when he made that mistake. The Leader of the Opposition in the upper house made a mistake; we all make mistakes. The member for Ballajura decided to resign. In 1996 or 1997 - maybe it was earlier than that - the then Minister for Transport Hon Eric Charlton made a couple of mistakes, one of which was pretty serious. Both of his mistakes resulted in speeding fines. One of those mistakes involved driving at 160 kilometres an hour. At the time I thought that that was a pretty big mistake; however, I remember that Hon Eric Charlton, a man of great determination, basically used those mistakes to argue for increased speed limits on country roads. Mr C.J. Barnett : So that excuses your former minister, does it? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I inform the Leader of the Opposition that we are human beings and we make mistakes. He made a mistake. I accepted the Leader of the Opposition’s explanation for his mistake and I do not believe his mistake should preclude him from sitting where he is sitting. I think he made an honest mistake. I believe the member Ballajura made an honest mistake. I remember it was just last year, or maybe the year before, that the Leader of the Opposition in the other house, Hon Norman Moore, was convicted of driving with a blood alcohol level of .05. He made a mistake. However, he continues to hold the same position that he held when he made that mistake. The Leader of the Opposition in the upper house made a mistake; we all make mistakes. The member for Ballajura decided to resign. In 1996 or 1997 - maybe it was earlier than that - the then Minister for Transport Hon Eric Charlton made a couple of mistakes, one of which was pretty serious. Both of his mistakes resulted in speeding fines. One of those mistakes involved driving at 160 kilometres an hour. At the time I thought that that was a pretty big mistake; however, I remember that Hon Eric Charlton, a man of great determination, basically used those mistakes to argue for increased speed limits on country roads. Mr C.J. Barnett : So that excuses your former minister, does it? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I inform the Leader of the Opposition that we are human beings and we make mistakes. He made a mistake. I accepted the Leader of the Opposition’s explanation for his mistake and I do not believe his mistake should preclude him from sitting where he is sitting. I think he made an honest mistake. I believe the member Ballajura made an honest mistake. I remember it was just last year, or maybe the year before, that the Leader of the Opposition in the other house, Hon Norman Moore, was convicted of driving with a blood alcohol level of .05. He made a mistake. However, he continues to hold the same position that he held when he made that mistake. The Leader of the Opposition in the upper house made a mistake; we all make mistakes. The member for Ballajura decided to resign. In 1996 or 1997 - maybe it was earlier than that - the then Minister for Transport Hon Eric Charlton made a couple of mistakes, one of which was pretty serious. Both of his mistakes resulted in speeding fines. One of those mistakes involved driving at 160 kilometres an hour. At the time I thought that that was a pretty big mistake; however, I remember that Hon Eric Charlton, a man of great determination, basically used those mistakes to argue for increased speed limits on country roads. Mr C.J. Barnett : So that excuses your former minister, does it? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr C.J. Barnett : So that excuses your former minister, does it? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
(1) Will the Premier concede that he knew that the member for Ballajura had been driving with a suspended licence on Thursday, 4 May? (2) Why did the Premier allow the then minister to make an announcement on increasing speeding fines the next day, given the Premier’s knowledge of the then minister’s actions? (3) Why did it take the Premier until 3.30 pm yesterday, four days later, to act on this information? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Hillarys for the question. To start with, the member for Ballajura has resigned. He has taken responsibility for his actions and has resigned. It is a very difficult situation. It was a difficult decision for him to make. The member for Ballajura is no longer a minister. I believe that his decision today was the right decision. I congratulate him on making that decision. I said yesterday that we are all human: we make mistakes. The member for Ballajura is not the first person in this chamber to make a mistake. The Leader of the Opposition has made a serious mistake. Mr C.J. Barnett : That is not the point: Your minister was driving without a licence on our roads. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I inform the Leader of the Opposition that we are human beings and we make mistakes. He made a mistake. I accepted the Leader of the Opposition’s explanation for his mistake and I do not believe his mistake should preclude him from sitting where he is sitting. I think he made an honest mistake. I believe the member Ballajura made an honest mistake. I remember it was just last year, or maybe the year before, that the Leader of the Opposition in the other house, Hon Norman Moore, was convicted of driving with a blood alcohol level of .05. He made a mistake. However, he continues to hold the same position that he held when he made that mistake. The Leader of the Opposition in the upper house made a mistake; we all make mistakes. The member for Ballajura decided to resign. In 1996 or 1997 - maybe it was earlier than that - the then Minister for Transport Hon Eric Charlton made a couple of mistakes, one of which was pretty serious. Both of his mistakes resulted in speeding fines. One of those mistakes involved driving at 160 kilometres an hour. At the time I thought that that was a pretty big mistake; however, I remember that Hon Eric Charlton, a man of great determination, basically used those mistakes to argue for increased speed limits on country roads. Mr C.J. Barnett : So that excuses your former minister, does it? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
(2) Why did the Premier allow the then minister to make an announcement on increasing speeding fines the next day, given the Premier’s knowledge of the then minister’s actions? (3) Why did it take the Premier until 3.30 pm yesterday, four days later, to act on this information? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Hillarys for the question. To start with, the member for Ballajura has resigned. He has taken responsibility for his actions and has resigned. It is a very difficult situation. It was a difficult decision for him to make. The member for Ballajura is no longer a minister. I believe that his decision today was the right decision. I congratulate him on making that decision. I said yesterday that we are all human: we make mistakes. The member for Ballajura is not the first person in this chamber to make a mistake. The Leader of the Opposition has made a serious mistake. Mr C.J. Barnett : That is not the point: Your minister was driving without a licence on our roads. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I inform the Leader of the Opposition that we are human beings and we make mistakes. He made a mistake. I accepted the Leader of the Opposition’s explanation for his mistake and I do not believe his mistake should preclude him from sitting where he is sitting. I think he made an honest mistake. I believe the member Ballajura made an honest mistake. I remember it was just last year, or maybe the year before, that the Leader of the Opposition in the other house, Hon Norman Moore, was convicted of driving with a blood alcohol level of .05. He made a mistake. However, he continues to hold the same position that he held when he made that mistake. The Leader of the Opposition in the upper house made a mistake; we all make mistakes. The member for Ballajura decided to resign. In 1996 or 1997 - maybe it was earlier than that - the then Minister for Transport Hon Eric Charlton made a couple of mistakes, one of which was pretty serious. Both of his mistakes resulted in speeding fines. One of those mistakes involved driving at 160 kilometres an hour. At the time I thought that that was a pretty big mistake; however, I remember that Hon Eric Charlton, a man of great determination, basically used those mistakes to argue for increased speed limits on country roads. Mr C.J. Barnett : So that excuses your former minister, does it? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
(3) Why did it take the Premier until 3.30 pm yesterday, four days later, to act on this information? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Hillarys for the question. To start with, the member for Ballajura has resigned. He has taken responsibility for his actions and has resigned. It is a very difficult situation. It was a difficult decision for him to make. The member for Ballajura is no longer a minister. I believe that his decision today was the right decision. I congratulate him on making that decision. I said yesterday that we are all human: we make mistakes. The member for Ballajura is not the first person in this chamber to make a mistake. The Leader of the Opposition has made a serious mistake. Mr C.J. Barnett : That is not the point: Your minister was driving without a licence on our roads. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I inform the Leader of the Opposition that we are human beings and we make mistakes. He made a mistake. I accepted the Leader of the Opposition’s explanation for his mistake and I do not believe his mistake should preclude him from sitting where he is sitting. I think he made an honest mistake. I believe the member Ballajura made an honest mistake. I remember it was just last year, or maybe the year before, that the Leader of the Opposition in the other house, Hon Norman Moore, was convicted of driving with a blood alcohol level of .05. He made a mistake. However, he continues to hold the same position that he held when he made that mistake. The Leader of the Opposition in the upper house made a mistake; we all make mistakes. The member for Ballajura decided to resign. In 1996 or 1997 - maybe it was earlier than that - the then Minister for Transport Hon Eric Charlton made a couple of mistakes, one of which was pretty serious. Both of his mistakes resulted in speeding fines. One of those mistakes involved driving at 160 kilometres an hour. At the time I thought that that was a pretty big mistake; however, I remember that Hon Eric Charlton, a man of great determination, basically used those mistakes to argue for increased speed limits on country roads. Mr C.J. Barnett : So that excuses your former minister, does it? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for Hillarys for the question. To start with, the member for Ballajura has resigned. He has taken responsibility for his actions and has resigned. It is a very difficult situation. It was a difficult decision for him to make. The member for Ballajura is no longer a minister. I believe that his decision today was the right decision. I congratulate him on making that decision. I said yesterday that we are all human: we make mistakes. The member for Ballajura is not the first person in this chamber to make a mistake. The Leader of the Opposition has made a serious mistake. Mr C.J. Barnett : That is not the point: Your minister was driving without a licence on our roads. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I inform the Leader of the Opposition that we are human beings and we make mistakes. He made a mistake. I accepted the Leader of the Opposition’s explanation for his mistake and I do not believe his mistake should preclude him from sitting where he is sitting. I think he made an honest mistake. I believe the member Ballajura made an honest mistake. I remember it was just last year, or maybe the year before, that the Leader of the Opposition in the other house, Hon Norman Moore, was convicted of driving with a blood alcohol level of .05. He made a mistake. However, he continues to hold the same position that he held when he made that mistake. The Leader of the Opposition in the upper house made a mistake; we all make mistakes. The member for Ballajura decided to resign. In 1996 or 1997 - maybe it was earlier than that - the then Minister for Transport Hon Eric Charlton made a couple of mistakes, one of which was pretty serious. Both of his mistakes resulted in speeding fines. One of those mistakes involved driving at 160 kilometres an hour. At the time I thought that that was a pretty big mistake; however, I remember that Hon Eric Charlton, a man of great determination, basically used those mistakes to argue for increased speed limits on country roads. Mr C.J. Barnett : So that excuses your former minister, does it? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
(1)-(3) I thank the member for Hillarys for the question. To start with, the member for Ballajura has resigned. He has taken responsibility for his actions and has resigned. It is a very difficult situation. It was a difficult decision for him to make. The member for Ballajura is no longer a minister. I believe that his decision today was the right decision. I congratulate him on making that decision. I said yesterday that we are all human: we make mistakes. The member for Ballajura is not the first person in this chamber to make a mistake. The Leader of the Opposition has made a serious mistake. Mr C.J. Barnett : That is not the point: Your minister was driving without a licence on our roads. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I inform the Leader of the Opposition that we are human beings and we make mistakes. He made a mistake. I accepted the Leader of the Opposition’s explanation for his mistake and I do not believe his mistake should preclude him from sitting where he is sitting. I think he made an honest mistake. I believe the member Ballajura made an honest mistake. I remember it was just last year, or maybe the year before, that the Leader of the Opposition in the other house, Hon Norman Moore, was convicted of driving with a blood alcohol level of .05. He made a mistake. However, he continues to hold the same position that he held when he made that mistake. The Leader of the Opposition in the upper house made a mistake; we all make mistakes. The member for Ballajura decided to resign. In 1996 or 1997 - maybe it was earlier than that - the then Minister for Transport Hon Eric Charlton made a couple of mistakes, one of which was pretty serious. Both of his mistakes resulted in speeding fines. One of those mistakes involved driving at 160 kilometres an hour. At the time I thought that that was a pretty big mistake; however, I remember that Hon Eric Charlton, a man of great determination, basically used those mistakes to argue for increased speed limits on country roads. Mr C.J. Barnett : So that excuses your former minister, does it? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr C.J. Barnett : That is not the point: Your minister was driving without a licence on our roads. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I inform the Leader of the Opposition that we are human beings and we make mistakes. He made a mistake. I accepted the Leader of the Opposition’s explanation for his mistake and I do not believe his mistake should preclude him from sitting where he is sitting. I think he made an honest mistake. I believe the member Ballajura made an honest mistake. I remember it was just last year, or maybe the year before, that the Leader of the Opposition in the other house, Hon Norman Moore, was convicted of driving with a blood alcohol level of .05. He made a mistake. However, he continues to hold the same position that he held when he made that mistake. The Leader of the Opposition in the upper house made a mistake; we all make mistakes. The member for Ballajura decided to resign. In 1996 or 1997 - maybe it was earlier than that - the then Minister for Transport Hon Eric Charlton made a couple of mistakes, one of which was pretty serious. Both of his mistakes resulted in speeding fines. One of those mistakes involved driving at 160 kilometres an hour. At the time I thought that that was a pretty big mistake; however, I remember that Hon Eric Charlton, a man of great determination, basically used those mistakes to argue for increased speed limits on country roads. Mr C.J. Barnett : So that excuses your former minister, does it? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I inform the Leader of the Opposition that we are human beings and we make mistakes. He made a mistake. I accepted the Leader of the Opposition’s explanation for his mistake and I do not believe his mistake should preclude him from sitting where he is sitting. I think he made an honest mistake. I believe the member Ballajura made an honest mistake. I remember it was just last year, or maybe the year before, that the Leader of the Opposition in the other house, Hon Norman Moore, was convicted of driving with a blood alcohol level of .05. He made a mistake. However, he continues to hold the same position that he held when he made that mistake. The Leader of the Opposition in the upper house made a mistake; we all make mistakes. The member for Ballajura decided to resign. In 1996 or 1997 - maybe it was earlier than that - the then Minister for Transport Hon Eric Charlton made a couple of mistakes, one of which was pretty serious. Both of his mistakes resulted in speeding fines. One of those mistakes involved driving at 160 kilometres an hour. At the time I thought that that was a pretty big mistake; however, I remember that Hon Eric Charlton, a man of great determination, basically used those mistakes to argue for increased speed limits on country roads. Mr C.J. Barnett : So that excuses your former minister, does it? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I inform the Leader of the Opposition that we are human beings and we make mistakes. He made a mistake. I accepted the Leader of the Opposition’s explanation for his mistake and I do not believe his mistake should preclude him from sitting where he is sitting. I think he made an honest mistake. I believe the member Ballajura made an honest mistake. I remember it was just last year, or maybe the year before, that the Leader of the Opposition in the other house, Hon Norman Moore, was convicted of driving with a blood alcohol level of .05. He made a mistake. However, he continues to hold the same position that he held when he made that mistake. The Leader of the Opposition in the upper house made a mistake; we all make mistakes. The member for Ballajura decided to resign. In 1996 or 1997 - maybe it was earlier than that - the then Minister for Transport Hon Eric Charlton made a couple of mistakes, one of which was pretty serious. Both of his mistakes resulted in speeding fines. One of those mistakes involved driving at 160 kilometres an hour. At the time I thought that that was a pretty big mistake; however, I remember that Hon Eric Charlton, a man of great determination, basically used those mistakes to argue for increased speed limits on country roads. Mr C.J. Barnett : So that excuses your former minister, does it? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr C.J. Barnett : So that excuses your former minister, does it? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No, it does not. Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr C.J. Barnett : Why are you talking about it then? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I am talking about it because everybody needs to understand - they already do, but the member for Cottesloe is making a political attack - Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr C.J. Barnett : He made that mistake when he had ministerial responsibility. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever made a mistake? Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr C.J. Barnett : Of course, I have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has the member for Cottesloe ever been caught speeding? Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr C.J. Barnett : No; actually, yes I have had a speeding fine. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : In answer to the member for Hillarys’ question, the member for Ballajura informed me about the issue that is now public knowledge on Thursday evening. I had to consider what to do about it. I wanted more information because the member for Ballajura was of the view that his licence should not have been cancelled in the first place. Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr C.J. Barnett : There is one rule for ministers - Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No there is not. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call the members for Cottesloe and Vasse to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : As the member for Cottesloe knows, in pursuit of that belief the member for Ballajura is taking court action. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cottesloe and the member for Vasse! Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr C.J. Barnett : There are two rules. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There are not two rules. I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
I considered the matter over the weekend. On Friday - I refer to the point raised by the member for Hillarys - the member for Ballajura was still the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Community Safety. Imagine what would have happened - I had to think this through - if we had pushed ahead with that initiative but I pulled the minister, who was then still the minister, out of cabinet while I was still considering whether he should remain in the ministry and, for example, taken that initiative myself. I would have been accused of trying to hide the issue. What difference would that have made? I would have then been accused of pulling the minister from cabinet to hide the facts. This is the reality: at that stage the member for Ballajura was still the minister responsible and, as such, he had a job to do. I told him to do the job that he had to do. I took the issue of his non-payment of the speeding fines and the cancellation of his licence very seriously. I say to every member in the chamber: I am not now, have not been and nor will I become the sort of politician who has a knee-jerk reaction to everything that is perceived as a crisis. I have to act with due consideration, which is what I did. The member for Ballajura resigned today. Yesterday I made the decision that I announced yesterday. I think the member for Ballajura has put a great interest ahead of his own interest and has done the right thing.
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