❓ Mr Barron-Sullivan questions Premier Gallop about potential loss of federal funding due to retail trading hours. Premier Gallop deflects, outlining future policy plans and criticising the previous government and opposition.
AnsweredQoN 864Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
RETAIL TRADING HOURS, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING
I refer to the Premier’s announcement on 13 December 2002, which stated - The State Government is being forced to review Western Australia’s retail trading hours in a bid to avoid losing up to $70million a year in Federal Government funding. He went on to say - The National Competition Council . . . is virtually holding us to ransom. Now that the Premier has decided to retain existing trading hours, at least for the time being, exactly how much will this State lose in federal government funding? Dr G.I. GALLOP
I refer to the Premier’s announcement on 13 December 2002, which stated - The State Government is being forced to review Western Australia’s retail trading hours in a bid to avoid losing up to $70million a year in Federal Government funding. He went on to say - The National Competition Council . . . is virtually holding us to ransom. Now that the Premier has decided to retain existing trading hours, at least for the time being, exactly how much will this State lose in federal government funding? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
I am not in a position to answer that question. An opposition member: Why not? Dr G.I. GALLOP: Unlike the Liberal Party opposite, I do not have a strong personal and close relationship with the federal Treasurer. First, our policy will allow for an extension of trading hours in Western Australia to apply from four weeks after the next general election; secondly, we will sort out the incompetence of the previous Government to deal with the issue of small businesses and the regulations relating to tourist zones; and, thirdly, we will introduce new laws to deal with unconscionable conduct in the way businesses are carried out. That is a solution to the issue and we will go to the Parliament with that package of measures. It is interesting that just two weeks ago the same member who has just asked me a question asked whether I would go to the Parliament and legislate. I am now answering that question: yes, we will legislate. Our legislation will include a provision for new trading hours to come into operation four weeks after the next election. The people will therefore have a right to choose. The challenge now is for the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues in the Liberal Party to say what they will do on two fundamental issues. Will they join with the Government and sort out the incompetence of the previous Government and provide some certainty on this issue? We, as parliamentarians, have a chance to provide a solution to this issue. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues have another challenge. Will they join with the Government in asking the federal Government to ensure that no penalties are applied to the people of Western Australia? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: We will stand up for small business, unlike the Labor Party. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Liberal Party’s policy is to freeze the process of deregulation. Is not the word freeze interesting? A freeze is followed by a thaw, which is followed by a flood; that is what will happen to the Liberal Party’s policy. We were honest with the people and we consulted the community on this issue. Excellent representations were made by the community and we have come up with a position that we will take to the Parliament and to the people at the next election. Our party will advocate an extension of trading hours in Western Australia. Our party has a solution to the anomalies that currently exist due to the incompetence of the previous Government. Our party will advocate unconscionable conduct clauses. Where is the Opposition on those issues? Where will the Opposition be when we tell the Commonwealth Government that if it considers in any way, shape or form imposing a penalty on this State, we will make it a political campaign issue? Will the Opposition join with us on that issue? We call on the Opposition to make that commitment.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I am not in a position to answer that question. An opposition member: Why not? Dr G.I. GALLOP: Unlike the Liberal Party opposite, I do not have a strong personal and close relationship with the federal Treasurer. First, our policy will allow for an extension of trading hours in Western Australia to apply from four weeks after the next general election; secondly, we will sort out the incompetence of the previous Government to deal with the issue of small businesses and the regulations relating to tourist zones; and, thirdly, we will introduce new laws to deal with unconscionable conduct in the way businesses are carried out. That is a solution to the issue and we will go to the Parliament with that package of measures. It is interesting that just two weeks ago the same member who has just asked me a question asked whether I would go to the Parliament and legislate. I am now answering that question: yes, we will legislate. Our legislation will include a provision for new trading hours to come into operation four weeks after the next election. The people will therefore have a right to choose. The challenge now is for the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues in the Liberal Party to say what they will do on two fundamental issues. Will they join with the Government and sort out the incompetence of the previous Government and provide some certainty on this issue? We, as parliamentarians, have a chance to provide a solution to this issue. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues have another challenge. Will they join with the Government in asking the federal Government to ensure that no penalties are applied to the people of Western Australia? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: We will stand up for small business, unlike the Labor Party. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Liberal Party’s policy is to freeze the process of deregulation. Is not the word freeze interesting? A freeze is followed by a thaw, which is followed by a flood; that is what will happen to the Liberal Party’s policy. We were honest with the people and we consulted the community on this issue. Excellent representations were made by the community and we have come up with a position that we will take to the Parliament and to the people at the next election. Our party will advocate an extension of trading hours in Western Australia. Our party has a solution to the anomalies that currently exist due to the incompetence of the previous Government. Our party will advocate unconscionable conduct clauses. Where is the Opposition on those issues? Where will the Opposition be when we tell the Commonwealth Government that if it considers in any way, shape or form imposing a penalty on this State, we will make it a political campaign issue? Will the Opposition join with us on that issue? We call on the Opposition to make that commitment.
I am not in a position to answer that question. An opposition member: Why not? Dr G.I. GALLOP: Unlike the Liberal Party opposite, I do not have a strong personal and close relationship with the federal Treasurer. First, our policy will allow for an extension of trading hours in Western Australia to apply from four weeks after the next general election; secondly, we will sort out the incompetence of the previous Government to deal with the issue of small businesses and the regulations relating to tourist zones; and, thirdly, we will introduce new laws to deal with unconscionable conduct in the way businesses are carried out. That is a solution to the issue and we will go to the Parliament with that package of measures. It is interesting that just two weeks ago the same member who has just asked me a question asked whether I would go to the Parliament and legislate. I am now answering that question: yes, we will legislate. Our legislation will include a provision for new trading hours to come into operation four weeks after the next election. The people will therefore have a right to choose. The challenge now is for the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues in the Liberal Party to say what they will do on two fundamental issues. Will they join with the Government and sort out the incompetence of the previous Government and provide some certainty on this issue? We, as parliamentarians, have a chance to provide a solution to this issue. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues have another challenge. Will they join with the Government in asking the federal Government to ensure that no penalties are applied to the people of Western Australia? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: We will stand up for small business, unlike the Labor Party. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Liberal Party’s policy is to freeze the process of deregulation. Is not the word freeze interesting? A freeze is followed by a thaw, which is followed by a flood; that is what will happen to the Liberal Party’s policy. We were honest with the people and we consulted the community on this issue. Excellent representations were made by the community and we have come up with a position that we will take to the Parliament and to the people at the next election. Our party will advocate an extension of trading hours in Western Australia. Our party has a solution to the anomalies that currently exist due to the incompetence of the previous Government. Our party will advocate unconscionable conduct clauses. Where is the Opposition on those issues? Where will the Opposition be when we tell the Commonwealth Government that if it considers in any way, shape or form imposing a penalty on this State, we will make it a political campaign issue? Will the Opposition join with us on that issue? We call on the Opposition to make that commitment.
An opposition member: Why not? Dr G.I. GALLOP: Unlike the Liberal Party opposite, I do not have a strong personal and close relationship with the federal Treasurer. First, our policy will allow for an extension of trading hours in Western Australia to apply from four weeks after the next general election; secondly, we will sort out the incompetence of the previous Government to deal with the issue of small businesses and the regulations relating to tourist zones; and, thirdly, we will introduce new laws to deal with unconscionable conduct in the way businesses are carried out. That is a solution to the issue and we will go to the Parliament with that package of measures. It is interesting that just two weeks ago the same member who has just asked me a question asked whether I would go to the Parliament and legislate. I am now answering that question: yes, we will legislate. Our legislation will include a provision for new trading hours to come into operation four weeks after the next election. The people will therefore have a right to choose. The challenge now is for the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues in the Liberal Party to say what they will do on two fundamental issues. Will they join with the Government and sort out the incompetence of the previous Government and provide some certainty on this issue? We, as parliamentarians, have a chance to provide a solution to this issue. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues have another challenge. Will they join with the Government in asking the federal Government to ensure that no penalties are applied to the people of Western Australia? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: We will stand up for small business, unlike the Labor Party. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Liberal Party’s policy is to freeze the process of deregulation. Is not the word freeze interesting? A freeze is followed by a thaw, which is followed by a flood; that is what will happen to the Liberal Party’s policy. We were honest with the people and we consulted the community on this issue. Excellent representations were made by the community and we have come up with a position that we will take to the Parliament and to the people at the next election. Our party will advocate an extension of trading hours in Western Australia. Our party has a solution to the anomalies that currently exist due to the incompetence of the previous Government. Our party will advocate unconscionable conduct clauses. Where is the Opposition on those issues? Where will the Opposition be when we tell the Commonwealth Government that if it considers in any way, shape or form imposing a penalty on this State, we will make it a political campaign issue? Will the Opposition join with us on that issue? We call on the Opposition to make that commitment.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: Unlike the Liberal Party opposite, I do not have a strong personal and close relationship with the federal Treasurer. First, our policy will allow for an extension of trading hours in Western Australia to apply from four weeks after the next general election; secondly, we will sort out the incompetence of the previous Government to deal with the issue of small businesses and the regulations relating to tourist zones; and, thirdly, we will introduce new laws to deal with unconscionable conduct in the way businesses are carried out. That is a solution to the issue and we will go to the Parliament with that package of measures. It is interesting that just two weeks ago the same member who has just asked me a question asked whether I would go to the Parliament and legislate. I am now answering that question: yes, we will legislate. Our legislation will include a provision for new trading hours to come into operation four weeks after the next election. The people will therefore have a right to choose. The challenge now is for the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues in the Liberal Party to say what they will do on two fundamental issues. Will they join with the Government and sort out the incompetence of the previous Government and provide some certainty on this issue? We, as parliamentarians, have a chance to provide a solution to this issue. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues have another challenge. Will they join with the Government in asking the federal Government to ensure that no penalties are applied to the people of Western Australia? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: We will stand up for small business, unlike the Labor Party. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Liberal Party’s policy is to freeze the process of deregulation. Is not the word freeze interesting? A freeze is followed by a thaw, which is followed by a flood; that is what will happen to the Liberal Party’s policy. We were honest with the people and we consulted the community on this issue. Excellent representations were made by the community and we have come up with a position that we will take to the Parliament and to the people at the next election. Our party will advocate an extension of trading hours in Western Australia. Our party has a solution to the anomalies that currently exist due to the incompetence of the previous Government. Our party will advocate unconscionable conduct clauses. Where is the Opposition on those issues? Where will the Opposition be when we tell the Commonwealth Government that if it considers in any way, shape or form imposing a penalty on this State, we will make it a political campaign issue? Will the Opposition join with us on that issue? We call on the Opposition to make that commitment.
First, our policy will allow for an extension of trading hours in Western Australia to apply from four weeks after the next general election; secondly, we will sort out the incompetence of the previous Government to deal with the issue of small businesses and the regulations relating to tourist zones; and, thirdly, we will introduce new laws to deal with unconscionable conduct in the way businesses are carried out. That is a solution to the issue and we will go to the Parliament with that package of measures. It is interesting that just two weeks ago the same member who has just asked me a question asked whether I would go to the Parliament and legislate. I am now answering that question: yes, we will legislate. Our legislation will include a provision for new trading hours to come into operation four weeks after the next election. The people will therefore have a right to choose. The challenge now is for the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues in the Liberal Party to say what they will do on two fundamental issues. Will they join with the Government and sort out the incompetence of the previous Government and provide some certainty on this issue? We, as parliamentarians, have a chance to provide a solution to this issue. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues have another challenge. Will they join with the Government in asking the federal Government to ensure that no penalties are applied to the people of Western Australia? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: We will stand up for small business, unlike the Labor Party. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Liberal Party’s policy is to freeze the process of deregulation. Is not the word freeze interesting? A freeze is followed by a thaw, which is followed by a flood; that is what will happen to the Liberal Party’s policy. We were honest with the people and we consulted the community on this issue. Excellent representations were made by the community and we have come up with a position that we will take to the Parliament and to the people at the next election. Our party will advocate an extension of trading hours in Western Australia. Our party has a solution to the anomalies that currently exist due to the incompetence of the previous Government. Our party will advocate unconscionable conduct clauses. Where is the Opposition on those issues? Where will the Opposition be when we tell the Commonwealth Government that if it considers in any way, shape or form imposing a penalty on this State, we will make it a political campaign issue? Will the Opposition join with us on that issue? We call on the Opposition to make that commitment.
It is interesting that just two weeks ago the same member who has just asked me a question asked whether I would go to the Parliament and legislate. I am now answering that question: yes, we will legislate. Our legislation will include a provision for new trading hours to come into operation four weeks after the next election. The people will therefore have a right to choose. The challenge now is for the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues in the Liberal Party to say what they will do on two fundamental issues. Will they join with the Government and sort out the incompetence of the previous Government and provide some certainty on this issue? We, as parliamentarians, have a chance to provide a solution to this issue. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues have another challenge. Will they join with the Government in asking the federal Government to ensure that no penalties are applied to the people of Western Australia? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: We will stand up for small business, unlike the Labor Party. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Liberal Party’s policy is to freeze the process of deregulation. Is not the word freeze interesting? A freeze is followed by a thaw, which is followed by a flood; that is what will happen to the Liberal Party’s policy. We were honest with the people and we consulted the community on this issue. Excellent representations were made by the community and we have come up with a position that we will take to the Parliament and to the people at the next election. Our party will advocate an extension of trading hours in Western Australia. Our party has a solution to the anomalies that currently exist due to the incompetence of the previous Government. Our party will advocate unconscionable conduct clauses. Where is the Opposition on those issues? Where will the Opposition be when we tell the Commonwealth Government that if it considers in any way, shape or form imposing a penalty on this State, we will make it a political campaign issue? Will the Opposition join with us on that issue? We call on the Opposition to make that commitment.
Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: We will stand up for small business, unlike the Labor Party. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Liberal Party’s policy is to freeze the process of deregulation. Is not the word freeze interesting? A freeze is followed by a thaw, which is followed by a flood; that is what will happen to the Liberal Party’s policy. We were honest with the people and we consulted the community on this issue. Excellent representations were made by the community and we have come up with a position that we will take to the Parliament and to the people at the next election. Our party will advocate an extension of trading hours in Western Australia. Our party has a solution to the anomalies that currently exist due to the incompetence of the previous Government. Our party will advocate unconscionable conduct clauses. Where is the Opposition on those issues? Where will the Opposition be when we tell the Commonwealth Government that if it considers in any way, shape or form imposing a penalty on this State, we will make it a political campaign issue? Will the Opposition join with us on that issue? We call on the Opposition to make that commitment.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Liberal Party’s policy is to freeze the process of deregulation. Is not the word freeze interesting? A freeze is followed by a thaw, which is followed by a flood; that is what will happen to the Liberal Party’s policy. We were honest with the people and we consulted the community on this issue. Excellent representations were made by the community and we have come up with a position that we will take to the Parliament and to the people at the next election. Our party will advocate an extension of trading hours in Western Australia. Our party has a solution to the anomalies that currently exist due to the incompetence of the previous Government. Our party will advocate unconscionable conduct clauses. Where is the Opposition on those issues? Where will the Opposition be when we tell the Commonwealth Government that if it considers in any way, shape or form imposing a penalty on this State, we will make it a political campaign issue? Will the Opposition join with us on that issue? We call on the Opposition to make that commitment.
We were honest with the people and we consulted the community on this issue. Excellent representations were made by the community and we have come up with a position that we will take to the Parliament and to the people at the next election. Our party will advocate an extension of trading hours in Western Australia. Our party has a solution to the anomalies that currently exist due to the incompetence of the previous Government. Our party will advocate unconscionable conduct clauses. Where is the Opposition on those issues? Where will the Opposition be when we tell the Commonwealth Government that if it considers in any way, shape or form imposing a penalty on this State, we will make it a political campaign issue? Will the Opposition join with us on that issue? We call on the Opposition to make that commitment.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I am not in a position to answer that question. An opposition member: Why not? Dr G.I. GALLOP: Unlike the Liberal Party opposite, I do not have a strong personal and close relationship with the federal Treasurer. First, our policy will allow for an extension of trading hours in Western Australia to apply from four weeks after the next general election; secondly, we will sort out the incompetence of the previous Government to deal with the issue of small businesses and the regulations relating to tourist zones; and, thirdly, we will introduce new laws to deal with unconscionable conduct in the way businesses are carried out. That is a solution to the issue and we will go to the Parliament with that package of measures. It is interesting that just two weeks ago the same member who has just asked me a question asked whether I would go to the Parliament and legislate. I am now answering that question: yes, we will legislate. Our legislation will include a provision for new trading hours to come into operation four weeks after the next election. The people will therefore have a right to choose. The challenge now is for the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues in the Liberal Party to say what they will do on two fundamental issues. Will they join with the Government and sort out the incompetence of the previous Government and provide some certainty on this issue? We, as parliamentarians, have a chance to provide a solution to this issue. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues have another challenge. Will they join with the Government in asking the federal Government to ensure that no penalties are applied to the people of Western Australia? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: We will stand up for small business, unlike the Labor Party. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Liberal Party’s policy is to freeze the process of deregulation. Is not the word freeze interesting? A freeze is followed by a thaw, which is followed by a flood; that is what will happen to the Liberal Party’s policy. We were honest with the people and we consulted the community on this issue. Excellent representations were made by the community and we have come up with a position that we will take to the Parliament and to the people at the next election. Our party will advocate an extension of trading hours in Western Australia. Our party has a solution to the anomalies that currently exist due to the incompetence of the previous Government. Our party will advocate unconscionable conduct clauses. Where is the Opposition on those issues? Where will the Opposition be when we tell the Commonwealth Government that if it considers in any way, shape or form imposing a penalty on this State, we will make it a political campaign issue? Will the Opposition join with us on that issue? We call on the Opposition to make that commitment.
I am not in a position to answer that question. An opposition member: Why not? Dr G.I. GALLOP: Unlike the Liberal Party opposite, I do not have a strong personal and close relationship with the federal Treasurer. First, our policy will allow for an extension of trading hours in Western Australia to apply from four weeks after the next general election; secondly, we will sort out the incompetence of the previous Government to deal with the issue of small businesses and the regulations relating to tourist zones; and, thirdly, we will introduce new laws to deal with unconscionable conduct in the way businesses are carried out. That is a solution to the issue and we will go to the Parliament with that package of measures. It is interesting that just two weeks ago the same member who has just asked me a question asked whether I would go to the Parliament and legislate. I am now answering that question: yes, we will legislate. Our legislation will include a provision for new trading hours to come into operation four weeks after the next election. The people will therefore have a right to choose. The challenge now is for the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues in the Liberal Party to say what they will do on two fundamental issues. Will they join with the Government and sort out the incompetence of the previous Government and provide some certainty on this issue? We, as parliamentarians, have a chance to provide a solution to this issue. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues have another challenge. Will they join with the Government in asking the federal Government to ensure that no penalties are applied to the people of Western Australia? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: We will stand up for small business, unlike the Labor Party. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Liberal Party’s policy is to freeze the process of deregulation. Is not the word freeze interesting? A freeze is followed by a thaw, which is followed by a flood; that is what will happen to the Liberal Party’s policy. We were honest with the people and we consulted the community on this issue. Excellent representations were made by the community and we have come up with a position that we will take to the Parliament and to the people at the next election. Our party will advocate an extension of trading hours in Western Australia. Our party has a solution to the anomalies that currently exist due to the incompetence of the previous Government. Our party will advocate unconscionable conduct clauses. Where is the Opposition on those issues? Where will the Opposition be when we tell the Commonwealth Government that if it considers in any way, shape or form imposing a penalty on this State, we will make it a political campaign issue? Will the Opposition join with us on that issue? We call on the Opposition to make that commitment.
An opposition member: Why not? Dr G.I. GALLOP: Unlike the Liberal Party opposite, I do not have a strong personal and close relationship with the federal Treasurer. First, our policy will allow for an extension of trading hours in Western Australia to apply from four weeks after the next general election; secondly, we will sort out the incompetence of the previous Government to deal with the issue of small businesses and the regulations relating to tourist zones; and, thirdly, we will introduce new laws to deal with unconscionable conduct in the way businesses are carried out. That is a solution to the issue and we will go to the Parliament with that package of measures. It is interesting that just two weeks ago the same member who has just asked me a question asked whether I would go to the Parliament and legislate. I am now answering that question: yes, we will legislate. Our legislation will include a provision for new trading hours to come into operation four weeks after the next election. The people will therefore have a right to choose. The challenge now is for the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues in the Liberal Party to say what they will do on two fundamental issues. Will they join with the Government and sort out the incompetence of the previous Government and provide some certainty on this issue? We, as parliamentarians, have a chance to provide a solution to this issue. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues have another challenge. Will they join with the Government in asking the federal Government to ensure that no penalties are applied to the people of Western Australia? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: We will stand up for small business, unlike the Labor Party. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Liberal Party’s policy is to freeze the process of deregulation. Is not the word freeze interesting? A freeze is followed by a thaw, which is followed by a flood; that is what will happen to the Liberal Party’s policy. We were honest with the people and we consulted the community on this issue. Excellent representations were made by the community and we have come up with a position that we will take to the Parliament and to the people at the next election. Our party will advocate an extension of trading hours in Western Australia. Our party has a solution to the anomalies that currently exist due to the incompetence of the previous Government. Our party will advocate unconscionable conduct clauses. Where is the Opposition on those issues? Where will the Opposition be when we tell the Commonwealth Government that if it considers in any way, shape or form imposing a penalty on this State, we will make it a political campaign issue? Will the Opposition join with us on that issue? We call on the Opposition to make that commitment.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: Unlike the Liberal Party opposite, I do not have a strong personal and close relationship with the federal Treasurer. First, our policy will allow for an extension of trading hours in Western Australia to apply from four weeks after the next general election; secondly, we will sort out the incompetence of the previous Government to deal with the issue of small businesses and the regulations relating to tourist zones; and, thirdly, we will introduce new laws to deal with unconscionable conduct in the way businesses are carried out. That is a solution to the issue and we will go to the Parliament with that package of measures. It is interesting that just two weeks ago the same member who has just asked me a question asked whether I would go to the Parliament and legislate. I am now answering that question: yes, we will legislate. Our legislation will include a provision for new trading hours to come into operation four weeks after the next election. The people will therefore have a right to choose. The challenge now is for the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues in the Liberal Party to say what they will do on two fundamental issues. Will they join with the Government and sort out the incompetence of the previous Government and provide some certainty on this issue? We, as parliamentarians, have a chance to provide a solution to this issue. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues have another challenge. Will they join with the Government in asking the federal Government to ensure that no penalties are applied to the people of Western Australia? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: We will stand up for small business, unlike the Labor Party. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Liberal Party’s policy is to freeze the process of deregulation. Is not the word freeze interesting? A freeze is followed by a thaw, which is followed by a flood; that is what will happen to the Liberal Party’s policy. We were honest with the people and we consulted the community on this issue. Excellent representations were made by the community and we have come up with a position that we will take to the Parliament and to the people at the next election. Our party will advocate an extension of trading hours in Western Australia. Our party has a solution to the anomalies that currently exist due to the incompetence of the previous Government. Our party will advocate unconscionable conduct clauses. Where is the Opposition on those issues? Where will the Opposition be when we tell the Commonwealth Government that if it considers in any way, shape or form imposing a penalty on this State, we will make it a political campaign issue? Will the Opposition join with us on that issue? We call on the Opposition to make that commitment.
First, our policy will allow for an extension of trading hours in Western Australia to apply from four weeks after the next general election; secondly, we will sort out the incompetence of the previous Government to deal with the issue of small businesses and the regulations relating to tourist zones; and, thirdly, we will introduce new laws to deal with unconscionable conduct in the way businesses are carried out. That is a solution to the issue and we will go to the Parliament with that package of measures. It is interesting that just two weeks ago the same member who has just asked me a question asked whether I would go to the Parliament and legislate. I am now answering that question: yes, we will legislate. Our legislation will include a provision for new trading hours to come into operation four weeks after the next election. The people will therefore have a right to choose. The challenge now is for the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues in the Liberal Party to say what they will do on two fundamental issues. Will they join with the Government and sort out the incompetence of the previous Government and provide some certainty on this issue? We, as parliamentarians, have a chance to provide a solution to this issue. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues have another challenge. Will they join with the Government in asking the federal Government to ensure that no penalties are applied to the people of Western Australia? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: We will stand up for small business, unlike the Labor Party. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Liberal Party’s policy is to freeze the process of deregulation. Is not the word freeze interesting? A freeze is followed by a thaw, which is followed by a flood; that is what will happen to the Liberal Party’s policy. We were honest with the people and we consulted the community on this issue. Excellent representations were made by the community and we have come up with a position that we will take to the Parliament and to the people at the next election. Our party will advocate an extension of trading hours in Western Australia. Our party has a solution to the anomalies that currently exist due to the incompetence of the previous Government. Our party will advocate unconscionable conduct clauses. Where is the Opposition on those issues? Where will the Opposition be when we tell the Commonwealth Government that if it considers in any way, shape or form imposing a penalty on this State, we will make it a political campaign issue? Will the Opposition join with us on that issue? We call on the Opposition to make that commitment.
It is interesting that just two weeks ago the same member who has just asked me a question asked whether I would go to the Parliament and legislate. I am now answering that question: yes, we will legislate. Our legislation will include a provision for new trading hours to come into operation four weeks after the next election. The people will therefore have a right to choose. The challenge now is for the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues in the Liberal Party to say what they will do on two fundamental issues. Will they join with the Government and sort out the incompetence of the previous Government and provide some certainty on this issue? We, as parliamentarians, have a chance to provide a solution to this issue. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues have another challenge. Will they join with the Government in asking the federal Government to ensure that no penalties are applied to the people of Western Australia? Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: We will stand up for small business, unlike the Labor Party. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Liberal Party’s policy is to freeze the process of deregulation. Is not the word freeze interesting? A freeze is followed by a thaw, which is followed by a flood; that is what will happen to the Liberal Party’s policy. We were honest with the people and we consulted the community on this issue. Excellent representations were made by the community and we have come up with a position that we will take to the Parliament and to the people at the next election. Our party will advocate an extension of trading hours in Western Australia. Our party has a solution to the anomalies that currently exist due to the incompetence of the previous Government. Our party will advocate unconscionable conduct clauses. Where is the Opposition on those issues? Where will the Opposition be when we tell the Commonwealth Government that if it considers in any way, shape or form imposing a penalty on this State, we will make it a political campaign issue? Will the Opposition join with us on that issue? We call on the Opposition to make that commitment.
Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: We will stand up for small business, unlike the Labor Party. Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Liberal Party’s policy is to freeze the process of deregulation. Is not the word freeze interesting? A freeze is followed by a thaw, which is followed by a flood; that is what will happen to the Liberal Party’s policy. We were honest with the people and we consulted the community on this issue. Excellent representations were made by the community and we have come up with a position that we will take to the Parliament and to the people at the next election. Our party will advocate an extension of trading hours in Western Australia. Our party has a solution to the anomalies that currently exist due to the incompetence of the previous Government. Our party will advocate unconscionable conduct clauses. Where is the Opposition on those issues? Where will the Opposition be when we tell the Commonwealth Government that if it considers in any way, shape or form imposing a penalty on this State, we will make it a political campaign issue? Will the Opposition join with us on that issue? We call on the Opposition to make that commitment.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Liberal Party’s policy is to freeze the process of deregulation. Is not the word freeze interesting? A freeze is followed by a thaw, which is followed by a flood; that is what will happen to the Liberal Party’s policy. We were honest with the people and we consulted the community on this issue. Excellent representations were made by the community and we have come up with a position that we will take to the Parliament and to the people at the next election. Our party will advocate an extension of trading hours in Western Australia. Our party has a solution to the anomalies that currently exist due to the incompetence of the previous Government. Our party will advocate unconscionable conduct clauses. Where is the Opposition on those issues? Where will the Opposition be when we tell the Commonwealth Government that if it considers in any way, shape or form imposing a penalty on this State, we will make it a political campaign issue? Will the Opposition join with us on that issue? We call on the Opposition to make that commitment.
We were honest with the people and we consulted the community on this issue. Excellent representations were made by the community and we have come up with a position that we will take to the Parliament and to the people at the next election. Our party will advocate an extension of trading hours in Western Australia. Our party has a solution to the anomalies that currently exist due to the incompetence of the previous Government. Our party will advocate unconscionable conduct clauses. Where is the Opposition on those issues? Where will the Opposition be when we tell the Commonwealth Government that if it considers in any way, shape or form imposing a penalty on this State, we will make it a political campaign issue? Will the Opposition join with us on that issue? We call on the Opposition to make that commitment.
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