❓ Opposition Leader McGowan questions Premier Barnett about whether it's acceptable for MPs to not cooperate with police investigations, referencing the Member for Vasse. Barnett defends the Member's right to legal representation and equality before the law, while also criticising the Labor party's past dealings with the Corruption and Crime Commission.
AnsweredQoN 284Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MEMBER FOR
VASSE — ROAD TRAFFIC INCIDENT
284. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
Is it the standard of the Premier's government that
his members of Parliament do not cooperate with police or answer their
questions when under investigation?
VASSE — ROAD TRAFFIC INCIDENT
284. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
Is it the standard of the Premier's government that
his members of Parliament do not cooperate with police or answer their
questions when under investigation?
AnswerView source ↗
I assume the member is referring to
the member for Vasse. The member has made the claim that the member for Vasse
did not cooperate with the police. Any citizen facing charges is entitled to
have legal representation. Any citizen is entitled to that, and the one thing
that—again, as I said previously, in no way did I interfere in any
sense in the police investigation into that matter.
Mr
M. McGowan : That's not what I said.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : No, but in no way, and nor should I. Every citizen, no matter
what position they hold, is entitled to equality before the law. Every citizen
is entitled to that. My responsibility —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : By the tone of that question, the member would seem to be
suggesting that I should have somehow interfered.
Mr
M. McGowan : No.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We have high standards in this government. Can I remind
members —
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We have only to look, Mr Speaker —
The
SPEAKER : Member for Wanneroo, I call you to order for the first time.
Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the second time. The whole idea
is for the Premier to be heard on the question.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The member for Vasse is entitled to the same rights before
the law as any other citizen, and indeed should he be denied that, then there
would be a serious issue in this Parliament beyond what we are talking about.
He is entitled to his rights before the law. My role as Premier relates to his
position in cabinet —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Midland, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I am prepared to answer whatever questions members opposite
wish to ask about this, and I am not going to try to retaliate, but we do
remember, do we not, the litany of Labor ministers appearing before the
Corruption and Crime Commission. That is the difference of standard.
the member for Vasse. The member has made the claim that the member for Vasse
did not cooperate with the police. Any citizen facing charges is entitled to
have legal representation. Any citizen is entitled to that, and the one thing
that—again, as I said previously, in no way did I interfere in any
sense in the police investigation into that matter.
Mr
M. McGowan : That's not what I said.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : No, but in no way, and nor should I. Every citizen, no matter
what position they hold, is entitled to equality before the law. Every citizen
is entitled to that. My responsibility —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : By the tone of that question, the member would seem to be
suggesting that I should have somehow interfered.
Mr
M. McGowan : No.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We have high standards in this government. Can I remind
members —
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We have only to look, Mr Speaker —
The
SPEAKER : Member for Wanneroo, I call you to order for the first time.
Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the second time. The whole idea
is for the Premier to be heard on the question.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The member for Vasse is entitled to the same rights before
the law as any other citizen, and indeed should he be denied that, then there
would be a serious issue in this Parliament beyond what we are talking about.
He is entitled to his rights before the law. My role as Premier relates to his
position in cabinet —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Midland, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I am prepared to answer whatever questions members opposite
wish to ask about this, and I am not going to try to retaliate, but we do
remember, do we not, the litany of Labor ministers appearing before the
Corruption and Crime Commission. That is the difference of standard.
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