❓ Question regarding the accuracy of the Prime Minister's statement that public dental health is solely a state responsibility, with the Minister clarifying the Commonwealth's role since 1946.
AnsweredQoN 509Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DENTAL HEALTH RESPONSIBILITY
In federal Parliament on Tuesday the Prime Minister said that public dental health has, from time immemorial, been the responsibility of the states. That is not my recollection. Will the minister advise whether that is correct? Ms M.M. QUIRK
In federal Parliament on Tuesday the Prime Minister said that public dental health has, from time immemorial, been the responsibility of the states. That is not my recollection. Will the minister advise whether that is correct? Ms M.M. QUIRK
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Swan Hills for her question. I, too, heard the statement by the Prime Minister, John Howard - Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The fact that the minister has risen to her feet does not give other members an opportunity to enter into a general discussion. Ms M.M. QUIRK : I, too, heard the statement by the Prime Minister about public dental health. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms M.M. QUIRK : Oh good; it is the shy and retiring member for Nedlands! Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. I ask other members to desist with their interjections. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands’ interjection gives me an opportunity to tell members something of which they may not be aware. The member for Nedlands is shy and retiring. Apparently, a Barbara Cartland-esque portrait of the member for Nedlands was scheduled to appear in the 2007 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture. The portrait shows the member for Nedlands with two lapdogs, one wearing a wig - Point of Order Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is hardly relevant to the question. I suspect the minister is about to launch into some personal comments about the member for Nedlands. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms M.M. QUIRK replied: I thank the member for Swan Hills for her question. I, too, heard the statement by the Prime Minister, John Howard - Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The fact that the minister has risen to her feet does not give other members an opportunity to enter into a general discussion. Ms M.M. QUIRK : I, too, heard the statement by the Prime Minister about public dental health. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms M.M. QUIRK : Oh good; it is the shy and retiring member for Nedlands! Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. I ask other members to desist with their interjections. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands’ interjection gives me an opportunity to tell members something of which they may not be aware. The member for Nedlands is shy and retiring. Apparently, a Barbara Cartland-esque portrait of the member for Nedlands was scheduled to appear in the 2007 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture. The portrait shows the member for Nedlands with two lapdogs, one wearing a wig - Point of Order Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is hardly relevant to the question. I suspect the minister is about to launch into some personal comments about the member for Nedlands. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
I thank the member for Swan Hills for her question. I, too, heard the statement by the Prime Minister, John Howard - Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The fact that the minister has risen to her feet does not give other members an opportunity to enter into a general discussion. Ms M.M. QUIRK : I, too, heard the statement by the Prime Minister about public dental health. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms M.M. QUIRK : Oh good; it is the shy and retiring member for Nedlands! Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. I ask other members to desist with their interjections. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands’ interjection gives me an opportunity to tell members something of which they may not be aware. The member for Nedlands is shy and retiring. Apparently, a Barbara Cartland-esque portrait of the member for Nedlands was scheduled to appear in the 2007 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture. The portrait shows the member for Nedlands with two lapdogs, one wearing a wig - Point of Order Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is hardly relevant to the question. I suspect the minister is about to launch into some personal comments about the member for Nedlands. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The fact that the minister has risen to her feet does not give other members an opportunity to enter into a general discussion. Ms M.M. QUIRK : I, too, heard the statement by the Prime Minister about public dental health. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms M.M. QUIRK : Oh good; it is the shy and retiring member for Nedlands! Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. I ask other members to desist with their interjections. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands’ interjection gives me an opportunity to tell members something of which they may not be aware. The member for Nedlands is shy and retiring. Apparently, a Barbara Cartland-esque portrait of the member for Nedlands was scheduled to appear in the 2007 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture. The portrait shows the member for Nedlands with two lapdogs, one wearing a wig - Point of Order Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is hardly relevant to the question. I suspect the minister is about to launch into some personal comments about the member for Nedlands. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The fact that the minister has risen to her feet does not give other members an opportunity to enter into a general discussion. Ms M.M. QUIRK : I, too, heard the statement by the Prime Minister about public dental health. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms M.M. QUIRK : Oh good; it is the shy and retiring member for Nedlands! Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. I ask other members to desist with their interjections. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands’ interjection gives me an opportunity to tell members something of which they may not be aware. The member for Nedlands is shy and retiring. Apparently, a Barbara Cartland-esque portrait of the member for Nedlands was scheduled to appear in the 2007 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture. The portrait shows the member for Nedlands with two lapdogs, one wearing a wig - Point of Order Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is hardly relevant to the question. I suspect the minister is about to launch into some personal comments about the member for Nedlands. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms M.M. QUIRK : I, too, heard the statement by the Prime Minister about public dental health. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms M.M. QUIRK : Oh good; it is the shy and retiring member for Nedlands! Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. I ask other members to desist with their interjections. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands’ interjection gives me an opportunity to tell members something of which they may not be aware. The member for Nedlands is shy and retiring. Apparently, a Barbara Cartland-esque portrait of the member for Nedlands was scheduled to appear in the 2007 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture. The portrait shows the member for Nedlands with two lapdogs, one wearing a wig - Point of Order Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is hardly relevant to the question. I suspect the minister is about to launch into some personal comments about the member for Nedlands. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms M.M. QUIRK : Oh good; it is the shy and retiring member for Nedlands! Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. I ask other members to desist with their interjections. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands’ interjection gives me an opportunity to tell members something of which they may not be aware. The member for Nedlands is shy and retiring. Apparently, a Barbara Cartland-esque portrait of the member for Nedlands was scheduled to appear in the 2007 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture. The portrait shows the member for Nedlands with two lapdogs, one wearing a wig - Point of Order Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is hardly relevant to the question. I suspect the minister is about to launch into some personal comments about the member for Nedlands. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms M.M. QUIRK : Oh good; it is the shy and retiring member for Nedlands! Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. I ask other members to desist with their interjections. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands’ interjection gives me an opportunity to tell members something of which they may not be aware. The member for Nedlands is shy and retiring. Apparently, a Barbara Cartland-esque portrait of the member for Nedlands was scheduled to appear in the 2007 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture. The portrait shows the member for Nedlands with two lapdogs, one wearing a wig - Point of Order Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is hardly relevant to the question. I suspect the minister is about to launch into some personal comments about the member for Nedlands. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. I ask other members to desist with their interjections. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands’ interjection gives me an opportunity to tell members something of which they may not be aware. The member for Nedlands is shy and retiring. Apparently, a Barbara Cartland-esque portrait of the member for Nedlands was scheduled to appear in the 2007 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture. The portrait shows the member for Nedlands with two lapdogs, one wearing a wig - Point of Order Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is hardly relevant to the question. I suspect the minister is about to launch into some personal comments about the member for Nedlands. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. I ask other members to desist with their interjections. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands’ interjection gives me an opportunity to tell members something of which they may not be aware. The member for Nedlands is shy and retiring. Apparently, a Barbara Cartland-esque portrait of the member for Nedlands was scheduled to appear in the 2007 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture. The portrait shows the member for Nedlands with two lapdogs, one wearing a wig - Point of Order Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is hardly relevant to the question. I suspect the minister is about to launch into some personal comments about the member for Nedlands. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands’ interjection gives me an opportunity to tell members something of which they may not be aware. The member for Nedlands is shy and retiring. Apparently, a Barbara Cartland-esque portrait of the member for Nedlands was scheduled to appear in the 2007 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture. The portrait shows the member for Nedlands with two lapdogs, one wearing a wig - Point of Order Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is hardly relevant to the question. I suspect the minister is about to launch into some personal comments about the member for Nedlands. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms M.M. QUIRK replied: I thank the member for Swan Hills for her question. I, too, heard the statement by the Prime Minister, John Howard - Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The fact that the minister has risen to her feet does not give other members an opportunity to enter into a general discussion. Ms M.M. QUIRK : I, too, heard the statement by the Prime Minister about public dental health. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms M.M. QUIRK : Oh good; it is the shy and retiring member for Nedlands! Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. I ask other members to desist with their interjections. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands’ interjection gives me an opportunity to tell members something of which they may not be aware. The member for Nedlands is shy and retiring. Apparently, a Barbara Cartland-esque portrait of the member for Nedlands was scheduled to appear in the 2007 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture. The portrait shows the member for Nedlands with two lapdogs, one wearing a wig - Point of Order Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is hardly relevant to the question. I suspect the minister is about to launch into some personal comments about the member for Nedlands. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
I thank the member for Swan Hills for her question. I, too, heard the statement by the Prime Minister, John Howard - Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The fact that the minister has risen to her feet does not give other members an opportunity to enter into a general discussion. Ms M.M. QUIRK : I, too, heard the statement by the Prime Minister about public dental health. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms M.M. QUIRK : Oh good; it is the shy and retiring member for Nedlands! Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. I ask other members to desist with their interjections. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands’ interjection gives me an opportunity to tell members something of which they may not be aware. The member for Nedlands is shy and retiring. Apparently, a Barbara Cartland-esque portrait of the member for Nedlands was scheduled to appear in the 2007 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture. The portrait shows the member for Nedlands with two lapdogs, one wearing a wig - Point of Order Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is hardly relevant to the question. I suspect the minister is about to launch into some personal comments about the member for Nedlands. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The fact that the minister has risen to her feet does not give other members an opportunity to enter into a general discussion. Ms M.M. QUIRK : I, too, heard the statement by the Prime Minister about public dental health. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms M.M. QUIRK : Oh good; it is the shy and retiring member for Nedlands! Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. I ask other members to desist with their interjections. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands’ interjection gives me an opportunity to tell members something of which they may not be aware. The member for Nedlands is shy and retiring. Apparently, a Barbara Cartland-esque portrait of the member for Nedlands was scheduled to appear in the 2007 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture. The portrait shows the member for Nedlands with two lapdogs, one wearing a wig - Point of Order Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is hardly relevant to the question. I suspect the minister is about to launch into some personal comments about the member for Nedlands. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The fact that the minister has risen to her feet does not give other members an opportunity to enter into a general discussion. Ms M.M. QUIRK : I, too, heard the statement by the Prime Minister about public dental health. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms M.M. QUIRK : Oh good; it is the shy and retiring member for Nedlands! Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. I ask other members to desist with their interjections. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands’ interjection gives me an opportunity to tell members something of which they may not be aware. The member for Nedlands is shy and retiring. Apparently, a Barbara Cartland-esque portrait of the member for Nedlands was scheduled to appear in the 2007 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture. The portrait shows the member for Nedlands with two lapdogs, one wearing a wig - Point of Order Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is hardly relevant to the question. I suspect the minister is about to launch into some personal comments about the member for Nedlands. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms M.M. QUIRK : I, too, heard the statement by the Prime Minister about public dental health. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms M.M. QUIRK : Oh good; it is the shy and retiring member for Nedlands! Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. I ask other members to desist with their interjections. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands’ interjection gives me an opportunity to tell members something of which they may not be aware. The member for Nedlands is shy and retiring. Apparently, a Barbara Cartland-esque portrait of the member for Nedlands was scheduled to appear in the 2007 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture. The portrait shows the member for Nedlands with two lapdogs, one wearing a wig - Point of Order Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is hardly relevant to the question. I suspect the minister is about to launch into some personal comments about the member for Nedlands. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Ms M.M. QUIRK : Oh good; it is the shy and retiring member for Nedlands! Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. I ask other members to desist with their interjections. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands’ interjection gives me an opportunity to tell members something of which they may not be aware. The member for Nedlands is shy and retiring. Apparently, a Barbara Cartland-esque portrait of the member for Nedlands was scheduled to appear in the 2007 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture. The portrait shows the member for Nedlands with two lapdogs, one wearing a wig - Point of Order Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is hardly relevant to the question. I suspect the minister is about to launch into some personal comments about the member for Nedlands. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms M.M. QUIRK : Oh good; it is the shy and retiring member for Nedlands! Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. I ask other members to desist with their interjections. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands’ interjection gives me an opportunity to tell members something of which they may not be aware. The member for Nedlands is shy and retiring. Apparently, a Barbara Cartland-esque portrait of the member for Nedlands was scheduled to appear in the 2007 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture. The portrait shows the member for Nedlands with two lapdogs, one wearing a wig - Point of Order Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is hardly relevant to the question. I suspect the minister is about to launch into some personal comments about the member for Nedlands. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. I ask other members to desist with their interjections. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands’ interjection gives me an opportunity to tell members something of which they may not be aware. The member for Nedlands is shy and retiring. Apparently, a Barbara Cartland-esque portrait of the member for Nedlands was scheduled to appear in the 2007 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture. The portrait shows the member for Nedlands with two lapdogs, one wearing a wig - Point of Order Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is hardly relevant to the question. I suspect the minister is about to launch into some personal comments about the member for Nedlands. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. I ask other members to desist with their interjections. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands’ interjection gives me an opportunity to tell members something of which they may not be aware. The member for Nedlands is shy and retiring. Apparently, a Barbara Cartland-esque portrait of the member for Nedlands was scheduled to appear in the 2007 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture. The portrait shows the member for Nedlands with two lapdogs, one wearing a wig - Point of Order Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is hardly relevant to the question. I suspect the minister is about to launch into some personal comments about the member for Nedlands. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands’ interjection gives me an opportunity to tell members something of which they may not be aware. The member for Nedlands is shy and retiring. Apparently, a Barbara Cartland-esque portrait of the member for Nedlands was scheduled to appear in the 2007 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture. The portrait shows the member for Nedlands with two lapdogs, one wearing a wig - Point of Order Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is hardly relevant to the question. I suspect the minister is about to launch into some personal comments about the member for Nedlands. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister might reflect on the reality of members’ families. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! The minister has only just risen to her feet. I am sure that she is about to answer the question. I ask her to do so. Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms M.M. QUIRK : The member for Nedlands has asked - Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew - Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Mr J.N. Hyde : Why did you interject? You shouldn’t have interjected. Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms S.E. WALKER : Excuse me! The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Perth! Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms S.E. WALKER : I withdrew my portrait for certain reasons. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : I ask the member for Nedlands to sit down. There is no point of order. The member for Perth is called to order for the first time. Members’ behaviour is totally unacceptable. I ask the minister to please answer the question. Questions without Notice Resumed Ms M.M. QUIRK : I will proceed with the question. The member for Nedlands’ fans will be disappointed. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Nedlands! Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms M.M. QUIRK : If the member for Nedlands had not been interjecting she would have heard me say that her many fans will be disappointed. Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Far from dental health being the responsibility of the states from time immemorial, it has been the responsibility of the commonwealth since 1946. I will refresh members’ memories of the Australian Constitution. Section 51 gives the commonwealth power to legislate and act in relation to the areas stipulated in that section. Changes to the Constitution and the respective powers of the states and the commonwealth can be made only by way of a referendum. As we are all aware, Australians are a funny lot; they do not like referenda and they seem to like changing the Constitution even less. Of the 43 referenda held, Australians have answered yes to only eight. That is a hit rate of less than 20 per cent. Australians are very careful about what they want from the commonwealth government. Australians answered yes in the 1946 referendum. Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Dr J.M. Woollard interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, member for Alfred Cove! Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Ms M.M. QUIRK : That successful referendum had the effect of inserting a provision that gave the commonwealth responsibility for, among other things, sickness and hospital benefits and medical and dental services. The Prime Minister’s statement was far from accurate, because public dental health has been the responsibility of the commonwealth for the past 60 years. Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
Several members interjected. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Order, members! I have advised members in the past that when I am in the Chair they will have half a chance if their interjection is asked in the appropriate way and if it is intelligent. Unfortunately, two members failed on both accounts. I call the members for Nedlands and Alfred Cove to order.
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