❓ Hon Kate Doust questions the government's position on the value of Legislative Council members' electorate support, given comments from Liberal Party members. Hon Kim Chance affirms the government's support and highlights the importance of these services, contrasting it with the opposition's past stance.
AnsweredQoN 1078Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
In view of recent comments made by the Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party and by the member for Pilbara, which have cast doubt on the value of the electorate support for members of the Legislative Council and their constituents, will the Leader of the House clarify the Government’s position? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
That is a very good question. It is true that our friend the member for Pilbara has called into question the value of services that are provided by members of the Legislative Council to their constituents and that their role should be simply legislative. The member for Pilbara appears to have adopted the idea from Hon Colin Barnett. Hon Tom Stephens: Oh no, not him! Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. Not at all reflecting on Larry’s capacity for individual and intuitive thought, he appears to have adopted it from Colin. Hon Colin Barnett put a similar view in his contribution to a constitutional convention in, I think, March this year when he suggested that Legislative Council members should not maintain electorate offices. That is a slight deviation from an earlier view he put. I quote from the 13 August 2001 edition of The Australian Financial Review - Western Australia’s Opposition Leader, Mr Colin Barnett, has renewed calls to abolish the State’s Upper House. He said the federal system negated the need for a bicameral, or two-house parliament, and that changes were needed if the State Parliament was to survive. At least he has walked away from that view and we will continue to have a job, just not any offices to work from! In direct answer to the honourable member’s question, I am happy to advise that the Government values the services provided by each and every member of the Legislative Council and by the excellent people who work in their electorate offices. In thinking through this matter in the context of the Liam Bartlett radio interview, it occurred to me - I refer to Labor Party members but I am certain it is true of other members - that there would not be a parliamentary office in many places where Legislative Council members provide electoral services. That is a very important point. As it happened, when I heard the comments I was in Newman, where Hon Jon Ford has an electorate office. People would be hundreds of kilometres from parliamentary services if Hon Jon Ford were not there. Hon Norman Moore: As a matter of interest, is it still part of the Labor Party’s policy to abolish the Legislative Council? Hon KIM CHANCE: Absolutely not; we have happily abandoned that. Hon Norman Moore: When was it taken out? Hon Tom Stephens: About 1982. Hon KIM CHANCE: I would have guessed the mid-1980s, but it may have been a little earlier than that. Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied : That is a very good question. It is true that our friend the member for Pilbara has called into question the value of services that are provided by members of the Legislative Council to their constituents and that their role should be simply legislative. The member for Pilbara appears to have adopted the idea from Hon Colin Barnett. Hon Tom Stephens: Oh no, not him! Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. Not at all reflecting on Larry’s capacity for individual and intuitive thought, he appears to have adopted it from Colin. Hon Colin Barnett put a similar view in his contribution to a constitutional convention in, I think, March this year when he suggested that Legislative Council members should not maintain electorate offices. That is a slight deviation from an earlier view he put. I quote from the 13 August 2001 edition of The Australian Financial Review - Western Australia’s Opposition Leader, Mr Colin Barnett, has renewed calls to abolish the State’s Upper House. He said the federal system negated the need for a bicameral, or two-house parliament, and that changes were needed if the State Parliament was to survive. At least he has walked away from that view and we will continue to have a job, just not any offices to work from! In direct answer to the honourable member’s question, I am happy to advise that the Government values the services provided by each and every member of the Legislative Council and by the excellent people who work in their electorate offices. In thinking through this matter in the context of the Liam Bartlett radio interview, it occurred to me - I refer to Labor Party members but I am certain it is true of other members - that there would not be a parliamentary office in many places where Legislative Council members provide electoral services. That is a very important point. As it happened, when I heard the comments I was in Newman, where Hon Jon Ford has an electorate office. People would be hundreds of kilometres from parliamentary services if Hon Jon Ford were not there. Hon Norman Moore: As a matter of interest, is it still part of the Labor Party’s policy to abolish the Legislative Council? Hon KIM CHANCE: Absolutely not; we have happily abandoned that. Hon Norman Moore: When was it taken out? Hon Tom Stephens: About 1982. Hon KIM CHANCE: I would have guessed the mid-1980s, but it may have been a little earlier than that. Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
That is a very good question. It is true that our friend the member for Pilbara has called into question the value of services that are provided by members of the Legislative Council to their constituents and that their role should be simply legislative. The member for Pilbara appears to have adopted the idea from Hon Colin Barnett. Hon Tom Stephens: Oh no, not him! Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. Not at all reflecting on Larry’s capacity for individual and intuitive thought, he appears to have adopted it from Colin. Hon Colin Barnett put a similar view in his contribution to a constitutional convention in, I think, March this year when he suggested that Legislative Council members should not maintain electorate offices. That is a slight deviation from an earlier view he put. I quote from the 13 August 2001 edition of The Australian Financial Review - Western Australia’s Opposition Leader, Mr Colin Barnett, has renewed calls to abolish the State’s Upper House. He said the federal system negated the need for a bicameral, or two-house parliament, and that changes were needed if the State Parliament was to survive. At least he has walked away from that view and we will continue to have a job, just not any offices to work from! In direct answer to the honourable member’s question, I am happy to advise that the Government values the services provided by each and every member of the Legislative Council and by the excellent people who work in their electorate offices. In thinking through this matter in the context of the Liam Bartlett radio interview, it occurred to me - I refer to Labor Party members but I am certain it is true of other members - that there would not be a parliamentary office in many places where Legislative Council members provide electoral services. That is a very important point. As it happened, when I heard the comments I was in Newman, where Hon Jon Ford has an electorate office. People would be hundreds of kilometres from parliamentary services if Hon Jon Ford were not there. Hon Norman Moore: As a matter of interest, is it still part of the Labor Party’s policy to abolish the Legislative Council? Hon KIM CHANCE: Absolutely not; we have happily abandoned that. Hon Norman Moore: When was it taken out? Hon Tom Stephens: About 1982. Hon KIM CHANCE: I would have guessed the mid-1980s, but it may have been a little earlier than that. Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
Hon Tom Stephens: Oh no, not him! Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. Not at all reflecting on Larry’s capacity for individual and intuitive thought, he appears to have adopted it from Colin. Hon Colin Barnett put a similar view in his contribution to a constitutional convention in, I think, March this year when he suggested that Legislative Council members should not maintain electorate offices. That is a slight deviation from an earlier view he put. I quote from the 13 August 2001 edition of The Australian Financial Review - Western Australia’s Opposition Leader, Mr Colin Barnett, has renewed calls to abolish the State’s Upper House. He said the federal system negated the need for a bicameral, or two-house parliament, and that changes were needed if the State Parliament was to survive. At least he has walked away from that view and we will continue to have a job, just not any offices to work from! In direct answer to the honourable member’s question, I am happy to advise that the Government values the services provided by each and every member of the Legislative Council and by the excellent people who work in their electorate offices. In thinking through this matter in the context of the Liam Bartlett radio interview, it occurred to me - I refer to Labor Party members but I am certain it is true of other members - that there would not be a parliamentary office in many places where Legislative Council members provide electoral services. That is a very important point. As it happened, when I heard the comments I was in Newman, where Hon Jon Ford has an electorate office. People would be hundreds of kilometres from parliamentary services if Hon Jon Ford were not there. Hon Norman Moore: As a matter of interest, is it still part of the Labor Party’s policy to abolish the Legislative Council? Hon KIM CHANCE: Absolutely not; we have happily abandoned that. Hon Norman Moore: When was it taken out? Hon Tom Stephens: About 1982. Hon KIM CHANCE: I would have guessed the mid-1980s, but it may have been a little earlier than that. Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. Not at all reflecting on Larry’s capacity for individual and intuitive thought, he appears to have adopted it from Colin. Hon Colin Barnett put a similar view in his contribution to a constitutional convention in, I think, March this year when he suggested that Legislative Council members should not maintain electorate offices. That is a slight deviation from an earlier view he put. I quote from the 13 August 2001 edition of The Australian Financial Review - Western Australia’s Opposition Leader, Mr Colin Barnett, has renewed calls to abolish the State’s Upper House. He said the federal system negated the need for a bicameral, or two-house parliament, and that changes were needed if the State Parliament was to survive. At least he has walked away from that view and we will continue to have a job, just not any offices to work from! In direct answer to the honourable member’s question, I am happy to advise that the Government values the services provided by each and every member of the Legislative Council and by the excellent people who work in their electorate offices. In thinking through this matter in the context of the Liam Bartlett radio interview, it occurred to me - I refer to Labor Party members but I am certain it is true of other members - that there would not be a parliamentary office in many places where Legislative Council members provide electoral services. That is a very important point. As it happened, when I heard the comments I was in Newman, where Hon Jon Ford has an electorate office. People would be hundreds of kilometres from parliamentary services if Hon Jon Ford were not there. Hon Norman Moore: As a matter of interest, is it still part of the Labor Party’s policy to abolish the Legislative Council? Hon KIM CHANCE: Absolutely not; we have happily abandoned that. Hon Norman Moore: When was it taken out? Hon Tom Stephens: About 1982. Hon KIM CHANCE: I would have guessed the mid-1980s, but it may have been a little earlier than that. Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
Not at all reflecting on Larry’s capacity for individual and intuitive thought, he appears to have adopted it from Colin. Hon Colin Barnett put a similar view in his contribution to a constitutional convention in, I think, March this year when he suggested that Legislative Council members should not maintain electorate offices. That is a slight deviation from an earlier view he put. I quote from the 13 August 2001 edition of The Australian Financial Review - Western Australia’s Opposition Leader, Mr Colin Barnett, has renewed calls to abolish the State’s Upper House. He said the federal system negated the need for a bicameral, or two-house parliament, and that changes were needed if the State Parliament was to survive. At least he has walked away from that view and we will continue to have a job, just not any offices to work from! In direct answer to the honourable member’s question, I am happy to advise that the Government values the services provided by each and every member of the Legislative Council and by the excellent people who work in their electorate offices. In thinking through this matter in the context of the Liam Bartlett radio interview, it occurred to me - I refer to Labor Party members but I am certain it is true of other members - that there would not be a parliamentary office in many places where Legislative Council members provide electoral services. That is a very important point. As it happened, when I heard the comments I was in Newman, where Hon Jon Ford has an electorate office. People would be hundreds of kilometres from parliamentary services if Hon Jon Ford were not there. Hon Norman Moore: As a matter of interest, is it still part of the Labor Party’s policy to abolish the Legislative Council? Hon KIM CHANCE: Absolutely not; we have happily abandoned that. Hon Norman Moore: When was it taken out? Hon Tom Stephens: About 1982. Hon KIM CHANCE: I would have guessed the mid-1980s, but it may have been a little earlier than that. Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
In direct answer to the honourable member’s question, I am happy to advise that the Government values the services provided by each and every member of the Legislative Council and by the excellent people who work in their electorate offices. In thinking through this matter in the context of the Liam Bartlett radio interview, it occurred to me - I refer to Labor Party members but I am certain it is true of other members - that there would not be a parliamentary office in many places where Legislative Council members provide electoral services. That is a very important point. As it happened, when I heard the comments I was in Newman, where Hon Jon Ford has an electorate office. People would be hundreds of kilometres from parliamentary services if Hon Jon Ford were not there. Hon Norman Moore: As a matter of interest, is it still part of the Labor Party’s policy to abolish the Legislative Council? Hon KIM CHANCE: Absolutely not; we have happily abandoned that. Hon Norman Moore: When was it taken out? Hon Tom Stephens: About 1982. Hon KIM CHANCE: I would have guessed the mid-1980s, but it may have been a little earlier than that. Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
Hon Norman Moore: As a matter of interest, is it still part of the Labor Party’s policy to abolish the Legislative Council? Hon KIM CHANCE: Absolutely not; we have happily abandoned that. Hon Norman Moore: When was it taken out? Hon Tom Stephens: About 1982. Hon KIM CHANCE: I would have guessed the mid-1980s, but it may have been a little earlier than that. Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
Hon KIM CHANCE: Absolutely not; we have happily abandoned that. Hon Norman Moore: When was it taken out? Hon Tom Stephens: About 1982. Hon KIM CHANCE: I would have guessed the mid-1980s, but it may have been a little earlier than that. Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
Hon Norman Moore: When was it taken out? Hon Tom Stephens: About 1982. Hon KIM CHANCE: I would have guessed the mid-1980s, but it may have been a little earlier than that. Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
Hon Tom Stephens: About 1982. Hon KIM CHANCE: I would have guessed the mid-1980s, but it may have been a little earlier than that. Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
Hon KIM CHANCE: I would have guessed the mid-1980s, but it may have been a little earlier than that. Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied : That is a very good question. It is true that our friend the member for Pilbara has called into question the value of services that are provided by members of the Legislative Council to their constituents and that their role should be simply legislative. The member for Pilbara appears to have adopted the idea from Hon Colin Barnett. Hon Tom Stephens: Oh no, not him! Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. Not at all reflecting on Larry’s capacity for individual and intuitive thought, he appears to have adopted it from Colin. Hon Colin Barnett put a similar view in his contribution to a constitutional convention in, I think, March this year when he suggested that Legislative Council members should not maintain electorate offices. That is a slight deviation from an earlier view he put. I quote from the 13 August 2001 edition of The Australian Financial Review - Western Australia’s Opposition Leader, Mr Colin Barnett, has renewed calls to abolish the State’s Upper House. He said the federal system negated the need for a bicameral, or two-house parliament, and that changes were needed if the State Parliament was to survive. At least he has walked away from that view and we will continue to have a job, just not any offices to work from! In direct answer to the honourable member’s question, I am happy to advise that the Government values the services provided by each and every member of the Legislative Council and by the excellent people who work in their electorate offices. In thinking through this matter in the context of the Liam Bartlett radio interview, it occurred to me - I refer to Labor Party members but I am certain it is true of other members - that there would not be a parliamentary office in many places where Legislative Council members provide electoral services. That is a very important point. As it happened, when I heard the comments I was in Newman, where Hon Jon Ford has an electorate office. People would be hundreds of kilometres from parliamentary services if Hon Jon Ford were not there. Hon Norman Moore: As a matter of interest, is it still part of the Labor Party’s policy to abolish the Legislative Council? Hon KIM CHANCE: Absolutely not; we have happily abandoned that. Hon Norman Moore: When was it taken out? Hon Tom Stephens: About 1982. Hon KIM CHANCE: I would have guessed the mid-1980s, but it may have been a little earlier than that. Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
That is a very good question. It is true that our friend the member for Pilbara has called into question the value of services that are provided by members of the Legislative Council to their constituents and that their role should be simply legislative. The member for Pilbara appears to have adopted the idea from Hon Colin Barnett. Hon Tom Stephens: Oh no, not him! Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. Not at all reflecting on Larry’s capacity for individual and intuitive thought, he appears to have adopted it from Colin. Hon Colin Barnett put a similar view in his contribution to a constitutional convention in, I think, March this year when he suggested that Legislative Council members should not maintain electorate offices. That is a slight deviation from an earlier view he put. I quote from the 13 August 2001 edition of The Australian Financial Review - Western Australia’s Opposition Leader, Mr Colin Barnett, has renewed calls to abolish the State’s Upper House. He said the federal system negated the need for a bicameral, or two-house parliament, and that changes were needed if the State Parliament was to survive. At least he has walked away from that view and we will continue to have a job, just not any offices to work from! In direct answer to the honourable member’s question, I am happy to advise that the Government values the services provided by each and every member of the Legislative Council and by the excellent people who work in their electorate offices. In thinking through this matter in the context of the Liam Bartlett radio interview, it occurred to me - I refer to Labor Party members but I am certain it is true of other members - that there would not be a parliamentary office in many places where Legislative Council members provide electoral services. That is a very important point. As it happened, when I heard the comments I was in Newman, where Hon Jon Ford has an electorate office. People would be hundreds of kilometres from parliamentary services if Hon Jon Ford were not there. Hon Norman Moore: As a matter of interest, is it still part of the Labor Party’s policy to abolish the Legislative Council? Hon KIM CHANCE: Absolutely not; we have happily abandoned that. Hon Norman Moore: When was it taken out? Hon Tom Stephens: About 1982. Hon KIM CHANCE: I would have guessed the mid-1980s, but it may have been a little earlier than that. Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
Hon Tom Stephens: Oh no, not him! Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. Not at all reflecting on Larry’s capacity for individual and intuitive thought, he appears to have adopted it from Colin. Hon Colin Barnett put a similar view in his contribution to a constitutional convention in, I think, March this year when he suggested that Legislative Council members should not maintain electorate offices. That is a slight deviation from an earlier view he put. I quote from the 13 August 2001 edition of The Australian Financial Review - Western Australia’s Opposition Leader, Mr Colin Barnett, has renewed calls to abolish the State’s Upper House. He said the federal system negated the need for a bicameral, or two-house parliament, and that changes were needed if the State Parliament was to survive. At least he has walked away from that view and we will continue to have a job, just not any offices to work from! In direct answer to the honourable member’s question, I am happy to advise that the Government values the services provided by each and every member of the Legislative Council and by the excellent people who work in their electorate offices. In thinking through this matter in the context of the Liam Bartlett radio interview, it occurred to me - I refer to Labor Party members but I am certain it is true of other members - that there would not be a parliamentary office in many places where Legislative Council members provide electoral services. That is a very important point. As it happened, when I heard the comments I was in Newman, where Hon Jon Ford has an electorate office. People would be hundreds of kilometres from parliamentary services if Hon Jon Ford were not there. Hon Norman Moore: As a matter of interest, is it still part of the Labor Party’s policy to abolish the Legislative Council? Hon KIM CHANCE: Absolutely not; we have happily abandoned that. Hon Norman Moore: When was it taken out? Hon Tom Stephens: About 1982. Hon KIM CHANCE: I would have guessed the mid-1980s, but it may have been a little earlier than that. Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes. Not at all reflecting on Larry’s capacity for individual and intuitive thought, he appears to have adopted it from Colin. Hon Colin Barnett put a similar view in his contribution to a constitutional convention in, I think, March this year when he suggested that Legislative Council members should not maintain electorate offices. That is a slight deviation from an earlier view he put. I quote from the 13 August 2001 edition of The Australian Financial Review - Western Australia’s Opposition Leader, Mr Colin Barnett, has renewed calls to abolish the State’s Upper House. He said the federal system negated the need for a bicameral, or two-house parliament, and that changes were needed if the State Parliament was to survive. At least he has walked away from that view and we will continue to have a job, just not any offices to work from! In direct answer to the honourable member’s question, I am happy to advise that the Government values the services provided by each and every member of the Legislative Council and by the excellent people who work in their electorate offices. In thinking through this matter in the context of the Liam Bartlett radio interview, it occurred to me - I refer to Labor Party members but I am certain it is true of other members - that there would not be a parliamentary office in many places where Legislative Council members provide electoral services. That is a very important point. As it happened, when I heard the comments I was in Newman, where Hon Jon Ford has an electorate office. People would be hundreds of kilometres from parliamentary services if Hon Jon Ford were not there. Hon Norman Moore: As a matter of interest, is it still part of the Labor Party’s policy to abolish the Legislative Council? Hon KIM CHANCE: Absolutely not; we have happily abandoned that. Hon Norman Moore: When was it taken out? Hon Tom Stephens: About 1982. Hon KIM CHANCE: I would have guessed the mid-1980s, but it may have been a little earlier than that. Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
Not at all reflecting on Larry’s capacity for individual and intuitive thought, he appears to have adopted it from Colin. Hon Colin Barnett put a similar view in his contribution to a constitutional convention in, I think, March this year when he suggested that Legislative Council members should not maintain electorate offices. That is a slight deviation from an earlier view he put. I quote from the 13 August 2001 edition of The Australian Financial Review - Western Australia’s Opposition Leader, Mr Colin Barnett, has renewed calls to abolish the State’s Upper House. He said the federal system negated the need for a bicameral, or two-house parliament, and that changes were needed if the State Parliament was to survive. At least he has walked away from that view and we will continue to have a job, just not any offices to work from! In direct answer to the honourable member’s question, I am happy to advise that the Government values the services provided by each and every member of the Legislative Council and by the excellent people who work in their electorate offices. In thinking through this matter in the context of the Liam Bartlett radio interview, it occurred to me - I refer to Labor Party members but I am certain it is true of other members - that there would not be a parliamentary office in many places where Legislative Council members provide electoral services. That is a very important point. As it happened, when I heard the comments I was in Newman, where Hon Jon Ford has an electorate office. People would be hundreds of kilometres from parliamentary services if Hon Jon Ford were not there. Hon Norman Moore: As a matter of interest, is it still part of the Labor Party’s policy to abolish the Legislative Council? Hon KIM CHANCE: Absolutely not; we have happily abandoned that. Hon Norman Moore: When was it taken out? Hon Tom Stephens: About 1982. Hon KIM CHANCE: I would have guessed the mid-1980s, but it may have been a little earlier than that. Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
In direct answer to the honourable member’s question, I am happy to advise that the Government values the services provided by each and every member of the Legislative Council and by the excellent people who work in their electorate offices. In thinking through this matter in the context of the Liam Bartlett radio interview, it occurred to me - I refer to Labor Party members but I am certain it is true of other members - that there would not be a parliamentary office in many places where Legislative Council members provide electoral services. That is a very important point. As it happened, when I heard the comments I was in Newman, where Hon Jon Ford has an electorate office. People would be hundreds of kilometres from parliamentary services if Hon Jon Ford were not there. Hon Norman Moore: As a matter of interest, is it still part of the Labor Party’s policy to abolish the Legislative Council? Hon KIM CHANCE: Absolutely not; we have happily abandoned that. Hon Norman Moore: When was it taken out? Hon Tom Stephens: About 1982. Hon KIM CHANCE: I would have guessed the mid-1980s, but it may have been a little earlier than that. Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
Hon Norman Moore: As a matter of interest, is it still part of the Labor Party’s policy to abolish the Legislative Council? Hon KIM CHANCE: Absolutely not; we have happily abandoned that. Hon Norman Moore: When was it taken out? Hon Tom Stephens: About 1982. Hon KIM CHANCE: I would have guessed the mid-1980s, but it may have been a little earlier than that. Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
Hon KIM CHANCE: Absolutely not; we have happily abandoned that. Hon Norman Moore: When was it taken out? Hon Tom Stephens: About 1982. Hon KIM CHANCE: I would have guessed the mid-1980s, but it may have been a little earlier than that. Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
Hon Norman Moore: When was it taken out? Hon Tom Stephens: About 1982. Hon KIM CHANCE: I would have guessed the mid-1980s, but it may have been a little earlier than that. Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
Hon Tom Stephens: About 1982. Hon KIM CHANCE: I would have guessed the mid-1980s, but it may have been a little earlier than that. Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
Hon KIM CHANCE: I would have guessed the mid-1980s, but it may have been a little earlier than that. Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
Given Larry’s adoption of Colin Barnett’s idea, the question now is whether the Liberal Party intends in future to withdraw support for Legislative Council members in their electorates. I cannot answer Hon Kate Doust’s question specifically. Perhaps the honourable member may wish to put the question before the Opposition for its comment.
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