❓ The Leader of the Opposition questions the Premier about a National Party bill potentially breaching the Liberal-National alliance agreement. The Premier denies the breach, stating it's a private member's bill and not a government initiative.
AnsweredQoN 677Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CONSTITUTION AND ELECTORAL AMENDMENT BILL 2016 —SPEAKER'S
RULING — STANDING ORDERS SUSPENSION
677. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
Prior to asking my question, on
behalf of the member for Cockburn, I acknowledge the students from Mater Christi
Catholic Primary School in Yangebup who are in the gallery today.
I refer to the Leader of the
National Party introducing into the house this morning a notice of motion to
suspend standing orders and breach established parliamentary processes to pass
a constitutional amendment bill.
(1) Is this not a
direct breach of the Liberal Party's alliance agreement not to
introduce laws without cabinet approval?
(2) After this
breach and other major policy differences, will the Premier now dissolve the
alliance government?
RULING — STANDING ORDERS SUSPENSION
677. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
Prior to asking my question, on
behalf of the member for Cockburn, I acknowledge the students from Mater Christi
Catholic Primary School in Yangebup who are in the gallery today.
I refer to the Leader of the
National Party introducing into the house this morning a notice of motion to
suspend standing orders and breach established parliamentary processes to pass
a constitutional amendment bill.
(1) Is this not a
direct breach of the Liberal Party's alliance agreement not to
introduce laws without cabinet approval?
(2) After this
breach and other major policy differences, will the Premier now dissolve the
alliance government?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) In your dreams!
Mr
R.H. Cook interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Thank you!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The bill introduced into the Legislative Council by the
National Party was a private member's bill—it was not a government
bill; it was not a bill that was endorsed by cabinet—as the National Party
is entitled to do.
Mr
M. McGowan : They're doing it again.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : As it is entitled to. Any member or any group can introduce a
bill, but it is not a government bill.
Mr
M. McGowan : Who's introducing it in here?
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Anyone can seek to introduce it.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Thank you!
Mr
F.M. Logan interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : It is not a coalition. Part of the alliance agreement is that
there can be differing policies and, indeed, that can be taken, as the National
Party has —
Mr
M. McGowan : Did it go through cabinet?
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : No; I just said that. It is not a government bill.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Thank you!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I just explained to the Leader of the Opposition that it is
not a government bill.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : It is a private member's bill that was introduced by
the National Party. It does not have the support of the government, it does not
have the support of the Liberal Party and therefore we do not —
Mr
M. McGowan interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Although it might have merit and the point is whether there
should be more members of Parliament, that is something that I think should be
considered during the next term of government because in any case, the National
Party's bill concerns not the 2017 election, but the 2021 election. There
should be a proper, formal process to consider whether the size of this house
should be extended by two members. I have some sympathy for that in the sense
that we would be failing our state if we became under-represented in country
areas. The prosperity and wealth of Western Australia comes from regional WA,
so there is some public sympathy for the point that was raised. But this is not
a government bill; it has not gone through cabinet. It is not a bill that the
Liberal Party will be joining with the National Party —
Mr
M. McGowan : But it breached the alliance agreement.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition does not have the alliance
agreement; I have it and he does not—that is the difference!
Mr
R.H. Cook interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Thank you!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The bill introduced into the Legislative Council by the
National Party was a private member's bill—it was not a government
bill; it was not a bill that was endorsed by cabinet—as the National Party
is entitled to do.
Mr
M. McGowan : They're doing it again.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : As it is entitled to. Any member or any group can introduce a
bill, but it is not a government bill.
Mr
M. McGowan : Who's introducing it in here?
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Anyone can seek to introduce it.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Thank you!
Mr
F.M. Logan interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : It is not a coalition. Part of the alliance agreement is that
there can be differing policies and, indeed, that can be taken, as the National
Party has —
Mr
M. McGowan : Did it go through cabinet?
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : No; I just said that. It is not a government bill.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Thank you!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I just explained to the Leader of the Opposition that it is
not a government bill.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : It is a private member's bill that was introduced by
the National Party. It does not have the support of the government, it does not
have the support of the Liberal Party and therefore we do not —
Mr
M. McGowan interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Although it might have merit and the point is whether there
should be more members of Parliament, that is something that I think should be
considered during the next term of government because in any case, the National
Party's bill concerns not the 2017 election, but the 2021 election. There
should be a proper, formal process to consider whether the size of this house
should be extended by two members. I have some sympathy for that in the sense
that we would be failing our state if we became under-represented in country
areas. The prosperity and wealth of Western Australia comes from regional WA,
so there is some public sympathy for the point that was raised. But this is not
a government bill; it has not gone through cabinet. It is not a bill that the
Liberal Party will be joining with the National Party —
Mr
M. McGowan : But it breached the alliance agreement.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition does not have the alliance
agreement; I have it and he does not—that is the difference!
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