❓ Question regarding the protection of police officers and the government's commitment to stronger legislation following assaults on officers. The Minister's response defends the government's actions and criticizes the opposition's stance and past decisions.
AnsweredQoN 218Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
POLICE OFFICERS — PUBLIC OFFICER ASSAULT LEGISLATION
I refer to the lack of protection afforded to police officers over the past eight years, and specifically to the highly dangerous situation officers face every day. According to police statistics — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Girrawheen and member for Midland! Mr P. MILES : According to police statistics, there were 165 assaults in Joondalup alone, some of which police had to intervene in directly. In February last year we saw the disgraceful assault on Constable Matthew Butcher at a Joondalup nightclub. Can the minister please explain why the Liberal-National government has been advocating stronger protection for police officers? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
I refer to the lack of protection afforded to police officers over the past eight years, and specifically to the highly dangerous situation officers face every day. According to police statistics — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Girrawheen and member for Midland! Mr P. MILES : According to police statistics, there were 165 assaults in Joondalup alone, some of which police had to intervene in directly. In February last year we saw the disgraceful assault on Constable Matthew Butcher at a Joondalup nightclub. Can the minister please explain why the Liberal-National government has been advocating stronger protection for police officers? Mr R.F. JOHNSON
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Wanneroo for the question, and I also thank him for taking the trouble to visit his local police station and to talk with the police officers in that area to try to reassure them that this government will do everything it can to try to protect them, as opposed to the situation under the previous government. I am appalled at what we have seen happen since the disgraceful outcome last week of the attack on Matthew Butcher. I read with great disgust about the 20 youths who attacked a police car and taunted the police officers by saying, “Draw your Tasers and give us an excuse.” That is what they were saying to our police officers. I also have a great deal of concern about the young female constable who was king-hit by a 21-year-old man in Northbridge on Sunday morning. That was just sickening. This mindless thuggery has to stop. I am probably talking to deaf ears when I talk to the opposition on the matter of minimum mandatory sentencing for assaults against our police officers. We on this side of the house are totally committed to trying to protect our police officers. The Premier has already mentioned one or two quotes from prominent members of the previous Labor government. When the opposition introduced a bill very similar to the one we have before the house today, what did the then Premier say? He said that some of the best lawyers in the state had warned us about minimum mandatory sentencing, Tom Percy being one of them. Tom Percy being one of them! I am staggered that the government and the Premier of the day would not get advice on the matter from the State Solicitor or the Director of Public Prosecutions. The then Premier went to Tom Percy, who makes his money out of defending those people who have been charged with some of the worst offences in this state. His job is to defend some of the worst scum in society, quite frankly, and yet the former Premier went to him for advice. That is a bit like asking Dracula his advice on how to run the blood bank. The then Premier went to a prominent QC, whose job it is to defend criminals. Why did he not go to the DPP to get some state-based advice? Why did he not go to the State Solicitor? He went to a criminal lawyer, who spends his life defending some of the worst scum in this state. That is where the former Premier went. We know exactly where opposition members are coming from. What I say to them is that they must go outside this place sometimes and talk to their local police officers in their electorates. They must talk to the people of their electorate and listen to what they have to say. I have seen numerous reports on this matter on the internet and in newspapers. Also, my office has been inundated with telephone calls and visitors. The in-box on my computer is full of emails from various people and, I have to be honest, probably 95 per cent of them are disgusted with the outcome of last week’s trial. They are 100 per cent behind the bill that is before Parliament to protect our police officers. One way or another we will do our job and let the police officers know that we are here to protect them and that we will stand alongside them. We know what a weak-minded lot the opposition is. We know that they are not big on sorting out criminals. They are weak on drugs and weak on crime. We know that. Mr M. McGowan : That’s ridiculous and offensive. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I find some of your comments offensive, my friend. Mr M. McGowan : You’re a fool, my friend. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Girrawheen and member for Midland! Mr P. MILES : According to police statistics, there were 165 assaults in Joondalup alone, some of which police had to intervene in directly. In February last year we saw the disgraceful assault on Constable Matthew Butcher at a Joondalup nightclub. Can the minister please explain why the Liberal-National government has been advocating stronger protection for police officers? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the member for Wanneroo for the question, and I also thank him for taking the trouble to visit his local police station and to talk with the police officers in that area to try to reassure them that this government will do everything it can to try to protect them, as opposed to the situation under the previous government. I am appalled at what we have seen happen since the disgraceful outcome last week of the attack on Matthew Butcher. I read with great disgust about the 20 youths who attacked a police car and taunted the police officers by saying, “Draw your Tasers and give us an excuse.” That is what they were saying to our police officers. I also have a great deal of concern about the young female constable who was king-hit by a 21-year-old man in Northbridge on Sunday morning. That was just sickening. This mindless thuggery has to stop. I am probably talking to deaf ears when I talk to the opposition on the matter of minimum mandatory sentencing for assaults against our police officers. We on this side of the house are totally committed to trying to protect our police officers. The Premier has already mentioned one or two quotes from prominent members of the previous Labor government. When the opposition introduced a bill very similar to the one we have before the house today, what did the then Premier say? He said that some of the best lawyers in the state had warned us about minimum mandatory sentencing, Tom Percy being one of them. Tom Percy being one of them! I am staggered that the government and the Premier of the day would not get advice on the matter from the State Solicitor or the Director of Public Prosecutions. The then Premier went to Tom Percy, who makes his money out of defending those people who have been charged with some of the worst offences in this state. His job is to defend some of the worst scum in society, quite frankly, and yet the former Premier went to him for advice. That is a bit like asking Dracula his advice on how to run the blood bank. The then Premier went to a prominent QC, whose job it is to defend criminals. Why did he not go to the DPP to get some state-based advice? Why did he not go to the State Solicitor? He went to a criminal lawyer, who spends his life defending some of the worst scum in this state. That is where the former Premier went. We know exactly where opposition members are coming from. What I say to them is that they must go outside this place sometimes and talk to their local police officers in their electorates. They must talk to the people of their electorate and listen to what they have to say. I have seen numerous reports on this matter on the internet and in newspapers. Also, my office has been inundated with telephone calls and visitors. The in-box on my computer is full of emails from various people and, I have to be honest, probably 95 per cent of them are disgusted with the outcome of last week’s trial. They are 100 per cent behind the bill that is before Parliament to protect our police officers. One way or another we will do our job and let the police officers know that we are here to protect them and that we will stand alongside them. We know what a weak-minded lot the opposition is. We know that they are not big on sorting out criminals. They are weak on drugs and weak on crime. We know that. Mr M. McGowan : That’s ridiculous and offensive. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I find some of your comments offensive, my friend. Mr M. McGowan : You’re a fool, my friend. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Girrawheen and member for Midland! Mr P. MILES : According to police statistics, there were 165 assaults in Joondalup alone, some of which police had to intervene in directly. In February last year we saw the disgraceful assault on Constable Matthew Butcher at a Joondalup nightclub. Can the minister please explain why the Liberal-National government has been advocating stronger protection for police officers? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the member for Wanneroo for the question, and I also thank him for taking the trouble to visit his local police station and to talk with the police officers in that area to try to reassure them that this government will do everything it can to try to protect them, as opposed to the situation under the previous government. I am appalled at what we have seen happen since the disgraceful outcome last week of the attack on Matthew Butcher. I read with great disgust about the 20 youths who attacked a police car and taunted the police officers by saying, “Draw your Tasers and give us an excuse.” That is what they were saying to our police officers. I also have a great deal of concern about the young female constable who was king-hit by a 21-year-old man in Northbridge on Sunday morning. That was just sickening. This mindless thuggery has to stop. I am probably talking to deaf ears when I talk to the opposition on the matter of minimum mandatory sentencing for assaults against our police officers. We on this side of the house are totally committed to trying to protect our police officers. The Premier has already mentioned one or two quotes from prominent members of the previous Labor government. When the opposition introduced a bill very similar to the one we have before the house today, what did the then Premier say? He said that some of the best lawyers in the state had warned us about minimum mandatory sentencing, Tom Percy being one of them. Tom Percy being one of them! I am staggered that the government and the Premier of the day would not get advice on the matter from the State Solicitor or the Director of Public Prosecutions. The then Premier went to Tom Percy, who makes his money out of defending those people who have been charged with some of the worst offences in this state. His job is to defend some of the worst scum in society, quite frankly, and yet the former Premier went to him for advice. That is a bit like asking Dracula his advice on how to run the blood bank. The then Premier went to a prominent QC, whose job it is to defend criminals. Why did he not go to the DPP to get some state-based advice? Why did he not go to the State Solicitor? He went to a criminal lawyer, who spends his life defending some of the worst scum in this state. That is where the former Premier went. We know exactly where opposition members are coming from. What I say to them is that they must go outside this place sometimes and talk to their local police officers in their electorates. They must talk to the people of their electorate and listen to what they have to say. I have seen numerous reports on this matter on the internet and in newspapers. Also, my office has been inundated with telephone calls and visitors. The in-box on my computer is full of emails from various people and, I have to be honest, probably 95 per cent of them are disgusted with the outcome of last week’s trial. They are 100 per cent behind the bill that is before Parliament to protect our police officers. One way or another we will do our job and let the police officers know that we are here to protect them and that we will stand alongside them. We know what a weak-minded lot the opposition is. We know that they are not big on sorting out criminals. They are weak on drugs and weak on crime. We know that. Mr M. McGowan : That’s ridiculous and offensive. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I find some of your comments offensive, my friend. Mr M. McGowan : You’re a fool, my friend. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
Mr P. MILES : According to police statistics, there were 165 assaults in Joondalup alone, some of which police had to intervene in directly. In February last year we saw the disgraceful assault on Constable Matthew Butcher at a Joondalup nightclub. Can the minister please explain why the Liberal-National government has been advocating stronger protection for police officers? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the member for Wanneroo for the question, and I also thank him for taking the trouble to visit his local police station and to talk with the police officers in that area to try to reassure them that this government will do everything it can to try to protect them, as opposed to the situation under the previous government. I am appalled at what we have seen happen since the disgraceful outcome last week of the attack on Matthew Butcher. I read with great disgust about the 20 youths who attacked a police car and taunted the police officers by saying, “Draw your Tasers and give us an excuse.” That is what they were saying to our police officers. I also have a great deal of concern about the young female constable who was king-hit by a 21-year-old man in Northbridge on Sunday morning. That was just sickening. This mindless thuggery has to stop. I am probably talking to deaf ears when I talk to the opposition on the matter of minimum mandatory sentencing for assaults against our police officers. We on this side of the house are totally committed to trying to protect our police officers. The Premier has already mentioned one or two quotes from prominent members of the previous Labor government. When the opposition introduced a bill very similar to the one we have before the house today, what did the then Premier say? He said that some of the best lawyers in the state had warned us about minimum mandatory sentencing, Tom Percy being one of them. Tom Percy being one of them! I am staggered that the government and the Premier of the day would not get advice on the matter from the State Solicitor or the Director of Public Prosecutions. The then Premier went to Tom Percy, who makes his money out of defending those people who have been charged with some of the worst offences in this state. His job is to defend some of the worst scum in society, quite frankly, and yet the former Premier went to him for advice. That is a bit like asking Dracula his advice on how to run the blood bank. The then Premier went to a prominent QC, whose job it is to defend criminals. Why did he not go to the DPP to get some state-based advice? Why did he not go to the State Solicitor? He went to a criminal lawyer, who spends his life defending some of the worst scum in this state. That is where the former Premier went. We know exactly where opposition members are coming from. What I say to them is that they must go outside this place sometimes and talk to their local police officers in their electorates. They must talk to the people of their electorate and listen to what they have to say. I have seen numerous reports on this matter on the internet and in newspapers. Also, my office has been inundated with telephone calls and visitors. The in-box on my computer is full of emails from various people and, I have to be honest, probably 95 per cent of them are disgusted with the outcome of last week’s trial. They are 100 per cent behind the bill that is before Parliament to protect our police officers. One way or another we will do our job and let the police officers know that we are here to protect them and that we will stand alongside them. We know what a weak-minded lot the opposition is. We know that they are not big on sorting out criminals. They are weak on drugs and weak on crime. We know that. Mr M. McGowan : That’s ridiculous and offensive. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I find some of your comments offensive, my friend. Mr M. McGowan : You’re a fool, my friend. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the member for Wanneroo for the question, and I also thank him for taking the trouble to visit his local police station and to talk with the police officers in that area to try to reassure them that this government will do everything it can to try to protect them, as opposed to the situation under the previous government. I am appalled at what we have seen happen since the disgraceful outcome last week of the attack on Matthew Butcher. I read with great disgust about the 20 youths who attacked a police car and taunted the police officers by saying, “Draw your Tasers and give us an excuse.” That is what they were saying to our police officers. I also have a great deal of concern about the young female constable who was king-hit by a 21-year-old man in Northbridge on Sunday morning. That was just sickening. This mindless thuggery has to stop. I am probably talking to deaf ears when I talk to the opposition on the matter of minimum mandatory sentencing for assaults against our police officers. We on this side of the house are totally committed to trying to protect our police officers. The Premier has already mentioned one or two quotes from prominent members of the previous Labor government. When the opposition introduced a bill very similar to the one we have before the house today, what did the then Premier say? He said that some of the best lawyers in the state had warned us about minimum mandatory sentencing, Tom Percy being one of them. Tom Percy being one of them! I am staggered that the government and the Premier of the day would not get advice on the matter from the State Solicitor or the Director of Public Prosecutions. The then Premier went to Tom Percy, who makes his money out of defending those people who have been charged with some of the worst offences in this state. His job is to defend some of the worst scum in society, quite frankly, and yet the former Premier went to him for advice. That is a bit like asking Dracula his advice on how to run the blood bank. The then Premier went to a prominent QC, whose job it is to defend criminals. Why did he not go to the DPP to get some state-based advice? Why did he not go to the State Solicitor? He went to a criminal lawyer, who spends his life defending some of the worst scum in this state. That is where the former Premier went. We know exactly where opposition members are coming from. What I say to them is that they must go outside this place sometimes and talk to their local police officers in their electorates. They must talk to the people of their electorate and listen to what they have to say. I have seen numerous reports on this matter on the internet and in newspapers. Also, my office has been inundated with telephone calls and visitors. The in-box on my computer is full of emails from various people and, I have to be honest, probably 95 per cent of them are disgusted with the outcome of last week’s trial. They are 100 per cent behind the bill that is before Parliament to protect our police officers. One way or another we will do our job and let the police officers know that we are here to protect them and that we will stand alongside them. We know what a weak-minded lot the opposition is. We know that they are not big on sorting out criminals. They are weak on drugs and weak on crime. We know that. Mr M. McGowan : That’s ridiculous and offensive. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I find some of your comments offensive, my friend. Mr M. McGowan : You’re a fool, my friend. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
I thank the member for Wanneroo for the question, and I also thank him for taking the trouble to visit his local police station and to talk with the police officers in that area to try to reassure them that this government will do everything it can to try to protect them, as opposed to the situation under the previous government. I am appalled at what we have seen happen since the disgraceful outcome last week of the attack on Matthew Butcher. I read with great disgust about the 20 youths who attacked a police car and taunted the police officers by saying, “Draw your Tasers and give us an excuse.” That is what they were saying to our police officers. I also have a great deal of concern about the young female constable who was king-hit by a 21-year-old man in Northbridge on Sunday morning. That was just sickening. This mindless thuggery has to stop. I am probably talking to deaf ears when I talk to the opposition on the matter of minimum mandatory sentencing for assaults against our police officers. We on this side of the house are totally committed to trying to protect our police officers. The Premier has already mentioned one or two quotes from prominent members of the previous Labor government. When the opposition introduced a bill very similar to the one we have before the house today, what did the then Premier say? He said that some of the best lawyers in the state had warned us about minimum mandatory sentencing, Tom Percy being one of them. Tom Percy being one of them! I am staggered that the government and the Premier of the day would not get advice on the matter from the State Solicitor or the Director of Public Prosecutions. The then Premier went to Tom Percy, who makes his money out of defending those people who have been charged with some of the worst offences in this state. His job is to defend some of the worst scum in society, quite frankly, and yet the former Premier went to him for advice. That is a bit like asking Dracula his advice on how to run the blood bank. The then Premier went to a prominent QC, whose job it is to defend criminals. Why did he not go to the DPP to get some state-based advice? Why did he not go to the State Solicitor? He went to a criminal lawyer, who spends his life defending some of the worst scum in this state. That is where the former Premier went. We know exactly where opposition members are coming from. What I say to them is that they must go outside this place sometimes and talk to their local police officers in their electorates. They must talk to the people of their electorate and listen to what they have to say. I have seen numerous reports on this matter on the internet and in newspapers. Also, my office has been inundated with telephone calls and visitors. The in-box on my computer is full of emails from various people and, I have to be honest, probably 95 per cent of them are disgusted with the outcome of last week’s trial. They are 100 per cent behind the bill that is before Parliament to protect our police officers. One way or another we will do our job and let the police officers know that we are here to protect them and that we will stand alongside them. We know what a weak-minded lot the opposition is. We know that they are not big on sorting out criminals. They are weak on drugs and weak on crime. We know that. Mr M. McGowan : That’s ridiculous and offensive. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I find some of your comments offensive, my friend. Mr M. McGowan : You’re a fool, my friend. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
I am appalled at what we have seen happen since the disgraceful outcome last week of the attack on Matthew Butcher. I read with great disgust about the 20 youths who attacked a police car and taunted the police officers by saying, “Draw your Tasers and give us an excuse.” That is what they were saying to our police officers. I also have a great deal of concern about the young female constable who was king-hit by a 21-year-old man in Northbridge on Sunday morning. That was just sickening. This mindless thuggery has to stop. I am probably talking to deaf ears when I talk to the opposition on the matter of minimum mandatory sentencing for assaults against our police officers. We on this side of the house are totally committed to trying to protect our police officers. The Premier has already mentioned one or two quotes from prominent members of the previous Labor government. When the opposition introduced a bill very similar to the one we have before the house today, what did the then Premier say? He said that some of the best lawyers in the state had warned us about minimum mandatory sentencing, Tom Percy being one of them. Tom Percy being one of them! I am staggered that the government and the Premier of the day would not get advice on the matter from the State Solicitor or the Director of Public Prosecutions. The then Premier went to Tom Percy, who makes his money out of defending those people who have been charged with some of the worst offences in this state. His job is to defend some of the worst scum in society, quite frankly, and yet the former Premier went to him for advice. That is a bit like asking Dracula his advice on how to run the blood bank. The then Premier went to a prominent QC, whose job it is to defend criminals. Why did he not go to the DPP to get some state-based advice? Why did he not go to the State Solicitor? He went to a criminal lawyer, who spends his life defending some of the worst scum in this state. That is where the former Premier went. We know exactly where opposition members are coming from. What I say to them is that they must go outside this place sometimes and talk to their local police officers in their electorates. They must talk to the people of their electorate and listen to what they have to say. I have seen numerous reports on this matter on the internet and in newspapers. Also, my office has been inundated with telephone calls and visitors. The in-box on my computer is full of emails from various people and, I have to be honest, probably 95 per cent of them are disgusted with the outcome of last week’s trial. They are 100 per cent behind the bill that is before Parliament to protect our police officers. One way or another we will do our job and let the police officers know that we are here to protect them and that we will stand alongside them. We know what a weak-minded lot the opposition is. We know that they are not big on sorting out criminals. They are weak on drugs and weak on crime. We know that. Mr M. McGowan : That’s ridiculous and offensive. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I find some of your comments offensive, my friend. Mr M. McGowan : You’re a fool, my friend. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
I am probably talking to deaf ears when I talk to the opposition on the matter of minimum mandatory sentencing for assaults against our police officers. We on this side of the house are totally committed to trying to protect our police officers. The Premier has already mentioned one or two quotes from prominent members of the previous Labor government. When the opposition introduced a bill very similar to the one we have before the house today, what did the then Premier say? He said that some of the best lawyers in the state had warned us about minimum mandatory sentencing, Tom Percy being one of them. Tom Percy being one of them! I am staggered that the government and the Premier of the day would not get advice on the matter from the State Solicitor or the Director of Public Prosecutions. The then Premier went to Tom Percy, who makes his money out of defending those people who have been charged with some of the worst offences in this state. His job is to defend some of the worst scum in society, quite frankly, and yet the former Premier went to him for advice. That is a bit like asking Dracula his advice on how to run the blood bank. The then Premier went to a prominent QC, whose job it is to defend criminals. Why did he not go to the DPP to get some state-based advice? Why did he not go to the State Solicitor? He went to a criminal lawyer, who spends his life defending some of the worst scum in this state. That is where the former Premier went. We know exactly where opposition members are coming from. What I say to them is that they must go outside this place sometimes and talk to their local police officers in their electorates. They must talk to the people of their electorate and listen to what they have to say. I have seen numerous reports on this matter on the internet and in newspapers. Also, my office has been inundated with telephone calls and visitors. The in-box on my computer is full of emails from various people and, I have to be honest, probably 95 per cent of them are disgusted with the outcome of last week’s trial. They are 100 per cent behind the bill that is before Parliament to protect our police officers. One way or another we will do our job and let the police officers know that we are here to protect them and that we will stand alongside them. We know what a weak-minded lot the opposition is. We know that they are not big on sorting out criminals. They are weak on drugs and weak on crime. We know that. Mr M. McGowan : That’s ridiculous and offensive. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I find some of your comments offensive, my friend. Mr M. McGowan : You’re a fool, my friend. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
We know exactly where opposition members are coming from. What I say to them is that they must go outside this place sometimes and talk to their local police officers in their electorates. They must talk to the people of their electorate and listen to what they have to say. I have seen numerous reports on this matter on the internet and in newspapers. Also, my office has been inundated with telephone calls and visitors. The in-box on my computer is full of emails from various people and, I have to be honest, probably 95 per cent of them are disgusted with the outcome of last week’s trial. They are 100 per cent behind the bill that is before Parliament to protect our police officers. One way or another we will do our job and let the police officers know that we are here to protect them and that we will stand alongside them. We know what a weak-minded lot the opposition is. We know that they are not big on sorting out criminals. They are weak on drugs and weak on crime. We know that. Mr M. McGowan : That’s ridiculous and offensive. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I find some of your comments offensive, my friend. Mr M. McGowan : You’re a fool, my friend. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
Mr M. McGowan : That’s ridiculous and offensive. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I find some of your comments offensive, my friend. Mr M. McGowan : You’re a fool, my friend. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I find some of your comments offensive, my friend. Mr M. McGowan : You’re a fool, my friend. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
Mr M. McGowan : You’re a fool, my friend. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Girrawheen and member for Midland! Mr P. MILES : According to police statistics, there were 165 assaults in Joondalup alone, some of which police had to intervene in directly. In February last year we saw the disgraceful assault on Constable Matthew Butcher at a Joondalup nightclub. Can the minister please explain why the Liberal-National government has been advocating stronger protection for police officers? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the member for Wanneroo for the question, and I also thank him for taking the trouble to visit his local police station and to talk with the police officers in that area to try to reassure them that this government will do everything it can to try to protect them, as opposed to the situation under the previous government. I am appalled at what we have seen happen since the disgraceful outcome last week of the attack on Matthew Butcher. I read with great disgust about the 20 youths who attacked a police car and taunted the police officers by saying, “Draw your Tasers and give us an excuse.” That is what they were saying to our police officers. I also have a great deal of concern about the young female constable who was king-hit by a 21-year-old man in Northbridge on Sunday morning. That was just sickening. This mindless thuggery has to stop. I am probably talking to deaf ears when I talk to the opposition on the matter of minimum mandatory sentencing for assaults against our police officers. We on this side of the house are totally committed to trying to protect our police officers. The Premier has already mentioned one or two quotes from prominent members of the previous Labor government. When the opposition introduced a bill very similar to the one we have before the house today, what did the then Premier say? He said that some of the best lawyers in the state had warned us about minimum mandatory sentencing, Tom Percy being one of them. Tom Percy being one of them! I am staggered that the government and the Premier of the day would not get advice on the matter from the State Solicitor or the Director of Public Prosecutions. The then Premier went to Tom Percy, who makes his money out of defending those people who have been charged with some of the worst offences in this state. His job is to defend some of the worst scum in society, quite frankly, and yet the former Premier went to him for advice. That is a bit like asking Dracula his advice on how to run the blood bank. The then Premier went to a prominent QC, whose job it is to defend criminals. Why did he not go to the DPP to get some state-based advice? Why did he not go to the State Solicitor? He went to a criminal lawyer, who spends his life defending some of the worst scum in this state. That is where the former Premier went. We know exactly where opposition members are coming from. What I say to them is that they must go outside this place sometimes and talk to their local police officers in their electorates. They must talk to the people of their electorate and listen to what they have to say. I have seen numerous reports on this matter on the internet and in newspapers. Also, my office has been inundated with telephone calls and visitors. The in-box on my computer is full of emails from various people and, I have to be honest, probably 95 per cent of them are disgusted with the outcome of last week’s trial. They are 100 per cent behind the bill that is before Parliament to protect our police officers. One way or another we will do our job and let the police officers know that we are here to protect them and that we will stand alongside them. We know what a weak-minded lot the opposition is. We know that they are not big on sorting out criminals. They are weak on drugs and weak on crime. We know that. Mr M. McGowan : That’s ridiculous and offensive. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I find some of your comments offensive, my friend. Mr M. McGowan : You’re a fool, my friend. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Girrawheen and member for Midland! Mr P. MILES : According to police statistics, there were 165 assaults in Joondalup alone, some of which police had to intervene in directly. In February last year we saw the disgraceful assault on Constable Matthew Butcher at a Joondalup nightclub. Can the minister please explain why the Liberal-National government has been advocating stronger protection for police officers? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the member for Wanneroo for the question, and I also thank him for taking the trouble to visit his local police station and to talk with the police officers in that area to try to reassure them that this government will do everything it can to try to protect them, as opposed to the situation under the previous government. I am appalled at what we have seen happen since the disgraceful outcome last week of the attack on Matthew Butcher. I read with great disgust about the 20 youths who attacked a police car and taunted the police officers by saying, “Draw your Tasers and give us an excuse.” That is what they were saying to our police officers. I also have a great deal of concern about the young female constable who was king-hit by a 21-year-old man in Northbridge on Sunday morning. That was just sickening. This mindless thuggery has to stop. I am probably talking to deaf ears when I talk to the opposition on the matter of minimum mandatory sentencing for assaults against our police officers. We on this side of the house are totally committed to trying to protect our police officers. The Premier has already mentioned one or two quotes from prominent members of the previous Labor government. When the opposition introduced a bill very similar to the one we have before the house today, what did the then Premier say? He said that some of the best lawyers in the state had warned us about minimum mandatory sentencing, Tom Percy being one of them. Tom Percy being one of them! I am staggered that the government and the Premier of the day would not get advice on the matter from the State Solicitor or the Director of Public Prosecutions. The then Premier went to Tom Percy, who makes his money out of defending those people who have been charged with some of the worst offences in this state. His job is to defend some of the worst scum in society, quite frankly, and yet the former Premier went to him for advice. That is a bit like asking Dracula his advice on how to run the blood bank. The then Premier went to a prominent QC, whose job it is to defend criminals. Why did he not go to the DPP to get some state-based advice? Why did he not go to the State Solicitor? He went to a criminal lawyer, who spends his life defending some of the worst scum in this state. That is where the former Premier went. We know exactly where opposition members are coming from. What I say to them is that they must go outside this place sometimes and talk to their local police officers in their electorates. They must talk to the people of their electorate and listen to what they have to say. I have seen numerous reports on this matter on the internet and in newspapers. Also, my office has been inundated with telephone calls and visitors. The in-box on my computer is full of emails from various people and, I have to be honest, probably 95 per cent of them are disgusted with the outcome of last week’s trial. They are 100 per cent behind the bill that is before Parliament to protect our police officers. One way or another we will do our job and let the police officers know that we are here to protect them and that we will stand alongside them. We know what a weak-minded lot the opposition is. We know that they are not big on sorting out criminals. They are weak on drugs and weak on crime. We know that. Mr M. McGowan : That’s ridiculous and offensive. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I find some of your comments offensive, my friend. Mr M. McGowan : You’re a fool, my friend. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
Mr P. MILES : According to police statistics, there were 165 assaults in Joondalup alone, some of which police had to intervene in directly. In February last year we saw the disgraceful assault on Constable Matthew Butcher at a Joondalup nightclub. Can the minister please explain why the Liberal-National government has been advocating stronger protection for police officers? Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the member for Wanneroo for the question, and I also thank him for taking the trouble to visit his local police station and to talk with the police officers in that area to try to reassure them that this government will do everything it can to try to protect them, as opposed to the situation under the previous government. I am appalled at what we have seen happen since the disgraceful outcome last week of the attack on Matthew Butcher. I read with great disgust about the 20 youths who attacked a police car and taunted the police officers by saying, “Draw your Tasers and give us an excuse.” That is what they were saying to our police officers. I also have a great deal of concern about the young female constable who was king-hit by a 21-year-old man in Northbridge on Sunday morning. That was just sickening. This mindless thuggery has to stop. I am probably talking to deaf ears when I talk to the opposition on the matter of minimum mandatory sentencing for assaults against our police officers. We on this side of the house are totally committed to trying to protect our police officers. The Premier has already mentioned one or two quotes from prominent members of the previous Labor government. When the opposition introduced a bill very similar to the one we have before the house today, what did the then Premier say? He said that some of the best lawyers in the state had warned us about minimum mandatory sentencing, Tom Percy being one of them. Tom Percy being one of them! I am staggered that the government and the Premier of the day would not get advice on the matter from the State Solicitor or the Director of Public Prosecutions. The then Premier went to Tom Percy, who makes his money out of defending those people who have been charged with some of the worst offences in this state. His job is to defend some of the worst scum in society, quite frankly, and yet the former Premier went to him for advice. That is a bit like asking Dracula his advice on how to run the blood bank. The then Premier went to a prominent QC, whose job it is to defend criminals. Why did he not go to the DPP to get some state-based advice? Why did he not go to the State Solicitor? He went to a criminal lawyer, who spends his life defending some of the worst scum in this state. That is where the former Premier went. We know exactly where opposition members are coming from. What I say to them is that they must go outside this place sometimes and talk to their local police officers in their electorates. They must talk to the people of their electorate and listen to what they have to say. I have seen numerous reports on this matter on the internet and in newspapers. Also, my office has been inundated with telephone calls and visitors. The in-box on my computer is full of emails from various people and, I have to be honest, probably 95 per cent of them are disgusted with the outcome of last week’s trial. They are 100 per cent behind the bill that is before Parliament to protect our police officers. One way or another we will do our job and let the police officers know that we are here to protect them and that we will stand alongside them. We know what a weak-minded lot the opposition is. We know that they are not big on sorting out criminals. They are weak on drugs and weak on crime. We know that. Mr M. McGowan : That’s ridiculous and offensive. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I find some of your comments offensive, my friend. Mr M. McGowan : You’re a fool, my friend. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON replied: I thank the member for Wanneroo for the question, and I also thank him for taking the trouble to visit his local police station and to talk with the police officers in that area to try to reassure them that this government will do everything it can to try to protect them, as opposed to the situation under the previous government. I am appalled at what we have seen happen since the disgraceful outcome last week of the attack on Matthew Butcher. I read with great disgust about the 20 youths who attacked a police car and taunted the police officers by saying, “Draw your Tasers and give us an excuse.” That is what they were saying to our police officers. I also have a great deal of concern about the young female constable who was king-hit by a 21-year-old man in Northbridge on Sunday morning. That was just sickening. This mindless thuggery has to stop. I am probably talking to deaf ears when I talk to the opposition on the matter of minimum mandatory sentencing for assaults against our police officers. We on this side of the house are totally committed to trying to protect our police officers. The Premier has already mentioned one or two quotes from prominent members of the previous Labor government. When the opposition introduced a bill very similar to the one we have before the house today, what did the then Premier say? He said that some of the best lawyers in the state had warned us about minimum mandatory sentencing, Tom Percy being one of them. Tom Percy being one of them! I am staggered that the government and the Premier of the day would not get advice on the matter from the State Solicitor or the Director of Public Prosecutions. The then Premier went to Tom Percy, who makes his money out of defending those people who have been charged with some of the worst offences in this state. His job is to defend some of the worst scum in society, quite frankly, and yet the former Premier went to him for advice. That is a bit like asking Dracula his advice on how to run the blood bank. The then Premier went to a prominent QC, whose job it is to defend criminals. Why did he not go to the DPP to get some state-based advice? Why did he not go to the State Solicitor? He went to a criminal lawyer, who spends his life defending some of the worst scum in this state. That is where the former Premier went. We know exactly where opposition members are coming from. What I say to them is that they must go outside this place sometimes and talk to their local police officers in their electorates. They must talk to the people of their electorate and listen to what they have to say. I have seen numerous reports on this matter on the internet and in newspapers. Also, my office has been inundated with telephone calls and visitors. The in-box on my computer is full of emails from various people and, I have to be honest, probably 95 per cent of them are disgusted with the outcome of last week’s trial. They are 100 per cent behind the bill that is before Parliament to protect our police officers. One way or another we will do our job and let the police officers know that we are here to protect them and that we will stand alongside them. We know what a weak-minded lot the opposition is. We know that they are not big on sorting out criminals. They are weak on drugs and weak on crime. We know that. Mr M. McGowan : That’s ridiculous and offensive. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I find some of your comments offensive, my friend. Mr M. McGowan : You’re a fool, my friend. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
I thank the member for Wanneroo for the question, and I also thank him for taking the trouble to visit his local police station and to talk with the police officers in that area to try to reassure them that this government will do everything it can to try to protect them, as opposed to the situation under the previous government. I am appalled at what we have seen happen since the disgraceful outcome last week of the attack on Matthew Butcher. I read with great disgust about the 20 youths who attacked a police car and taunted the police officers by saying, “Draw your Tasers and give us an excuse.” That is what they were saying to our police officers. I also have a great deal of concern about the young female constable who was king-hit by a 21-year-old man in Northbridge on Sunday morning. That was just sickening. This mindless thuggery has to stop. I am probably talking to deaf ears when I talk to the opposition on the matter of minimum mandatory sentencing for assaults against our police officers. We on this side of the house are totally committed to trying to protect our police officers. The Premier has already mentioned one or two quotes from prominent members of the previous Labor government. When the opposition introduced a bill very similar to the one we have before the house today, what did the then Premier say? He said that some of the best lawyers in the state had warned us about minimum mandatory sentencing, Tom Percy being one of them. Tom Percy being one of them! I am staggered that the government and the Premier of the day would not get advice on the matter from the State Solicitor or the Director of Public Prosecutions. The then Premier went to Tom Percy, who makes his money out of defending those people who have been charged with some of the worst offences in this state. His job is to defend some of the worst scum in society, quite frankly, and yet the former Premier went to him for advice. That is a bit like asking Dracula his advice on how to run the blood bank. The then Premier went to a prominent QC, whose job it is to defend criminals. Why did he not go to the DPP to get some state-based advice? Why did he not go to the State Solicitor? He went to a criminal lawyer, who spends his life defending some of the worst scum in this state. That is where the former Premier went. We know exactly where opposition members are coming from. What I say to them is that they must go outside this place sometimes and talk to their local police officers in their electorates. They must talk to the people of their electorate and listen to what they have to say. I have seen numerous reports on this matter on the internet and in newspapers. Also, my office has been inundated with telephone calls and visitors. The in-box on my computer is full of emails from various people and, I have to be honest, probably 95 per cent of them are disgusted with the outcome of last week’s trial. They are 100 per cent behind the bill that is before Parliament to protect our police officers. One way or another we will do our job and let the police officers know that we are here to protect them and that we will stand alongside them. We know what a weak-minded lot the opposition is. We know that they are not big on sorting out criminals. They are weak on drugs and weak on crime. We know that. Mr M. McGowan : That’s ridiculous and offensive. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I find some of your comments offensive, my friend. Mr M. McGowan : You’re a fool, my friend. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
I am appalled at what we have seen happen since the disgraceful outcome last week of the attack on Matthew Butcher. I read with great disgust about the 20 youths who attacked a police car and taunted the police officers by saying, “Draw your Tasers and give us an excuse.” That is what they were saying to our police officers. I also have a great deal of concern about the young female constable who was king-hit by a 21-year-old man in Northbridge on Sunday morning. That was just sickening. This mindless thuggery has to stop. I am probably talking to deaf ears when I talk to the opposition on the matter of minimum mandatory sentencing for assaults against our police officers. We on this side of the house are totally committed to trying to protect our police officers. The Premier has already mentioned one or two quotes from prominent members of the previous Labor government. When the opposition introduced a bill very similar to the one we have before the house today, what did the then Premier say? He said that some of the best lawyers in the state had warned us about minimum mandatory sentencing, Tom Percy being one of them. Tom Percy being one of them! I am staggered that the government and the Premier of the day would not get advice on the matter from the State Solicitor or the Director of Public Prosecutions. The then Premier went to Tom Percy, who makes his money out of defending those people who have been charged with some of the worst offences in this state. His job is to defend some of the worst scum in society, quite frankly, and yet the former Premier went to him for advice. That is a bit like asking Dracula his advice on how to run the blood bank. The then Premier went to a prominent QC, whose job it is to defend criminals. Why did he not go to the DPP to get some state-based advice? Why did he not go to the State Solicitor? He went to a criminal lawyer, who spends his life defending some of the worst scum in this state. That is where the former Premier went. We know exactly where opposition members are coming from. What I say to them is that they must go outside this place sometimes and talk to their local police officers in their electorates. They must talk to the people of their electorate and listen to what they have to say. I have seen numerous reports on this matter on the internet and in newspapers. Also, my office has been inundated with telephone calls and visitors. The in-box on my computer is full of emails from various people and, I have to be honest, probably 95 per cent of them are disgusted with the outcome of last week’s trial. They are 100 per cent behind the bill that is before Parliament to protect our police officers. One way or another we will do our job and let the police officers know that we are here to protect them and that we will stand alongside them. We know what a weak-minded lot the opposition is. We know that they are not big on sorting out criminals. They are weak on drugs and weak on crime. We know that. Mr M. McGowan : That’s ridiculous and offensive. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I find some of your comments offensive, my friend. Mr M. McGowan : You’re a fool, my friend. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
I am probably talking to deaf ears when I talk to the opposition on the matter of minimum mandatory sentencing for assaults against our police officers. We on this side of the house are totally committed to trying to protect our police officers. The Premier has already mentioned one or two quotes from prominent members of the previous Labor government. When the opposition introduced a bill very similar to the one we have before the house today, what did the then Premier say? He said that some of the best lawyers in the state had warned us about minimum mandatory sentencing, Tom Percy being one of them. Tom Percy being one of them! I am staggered that the government and the Premier of the day would not get advice on the matter from the State Solicitor or the Director of Public Prosecutions. The then Premier went to Tom Percy, who makes his money out of defending those people who have been charged with some of the worst offences in this state. His job is to defend some of the worst scum in society, quite frankly, and yet the former Premier went to him for advice. That is a bit like asking Dracula his advice on how to run the blood bank. The then Premier went to a prominent QC, whose job it is to defend criminals. Why did he not go to the DPP to get some state-based advice? Why did he not go to the State Solicitor? He went to a criminal lawyer, who spends his life defending some of the worst scum in this state. That is where the former Premier went. We know exactly where opposition members are coming from. What I say to them is that they must go outside this place sometimes and talk to their local police officers in their electorates. They must talk to the people of their electorate and listen to what they have to say. I have seen numerous reports on this matter on the internet and in newspapers. Also, my office has been inundated with telephone calls and visitors. The in-box on my computer is full of emails from various people and, I have to be honest, probably 95 per cent of them are disgusted with the outcome of last week’s trial. They are 100 per cent behind the bill that is before Parliament to protect our police officers. One way or another we will do our job and let the police officers know that we are here to protect them and that we will stand alongside them. We know what a weak-minded lot the opposition is. We know that they are not big on sorting out criminals. They are weak on drugs and weak on crime. We know that. Mr M. McGowan : That’s ridiculous and offensive. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I find some of your comments offensive, my friend. Mr M. McGowan : You’re a fool, my friend. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
We know exactly where opposition members are coming from. What I say to them is that they must go outside this place sometimes and talk to their local police officers in their electorates. They must talk to the people of their electorate and listen to what they have to say. I have seen numerous reports on this matter on the internet and in newspapers. Also, my office has been inundated with telephone calls and visitors. The in-box on my computer is full of emails from various people and, I have to be honest, probably 95 per cent of them are disgusted with the outcome of last week’s trial. They are 100 per cent behind the bill that is before Parliament to protect our police officers. One way or another we will do our job and let the police officers know that we are here to protect them and that we will stand alongside them. We know what a weak-minded lot the opposition is. We know that they are not big on sorting out criminals. They are weak on drugs and weak on crime. We know that. Mr M. McGowan : That’s ridiculous and offensive. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I find some of your comments offensive, my friend. Mr M. McGowan : You’re a fool, my friend. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
Mr M. McGowan : That’s ridiculous and offensive. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I find some of your comments offensive, my friend. Mr M. McGowan : You’re a fool, my friend. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : I find some of your comments offensive, my friend. Mr M. McGowan : You’re a fool, my friend. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
Mr M. McGowan : You’re a fool, my friend. Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : You’re a bigger fool, my friend. The trouble is, you’re a bumptious little fool. Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
Mr M. McGowan : What a comeback! Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
Mr R.F. JOHNSON : We do not even bother to listen to them now because if that is where they go to get their advice, good luck to them. All they want to do is make a joke of these things. I want them to talk to Matthew Butcher and try to convince him that their stand against our bill is the right one. God help them.
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